Kicking up Stones, (so to speak) Baking up a Storm

The Ridge

On Thursday, Apr. 15^th I was up out of bed again just before Bill left at 7. Looking outside at the weather, it was a dull gray sky. Blech. However, no rain (or otherwise) so I slipped into my walking gear and headed down the hill to the road. There was no wind so it truly felt like 0C/32F and that was actually quite pleasant.

It was very still around the Ridge this morning

 I passed the auto body shop where I work and halfway to Turbine Lane, it started to rain. Wait a minute! That’s not rain! I slipped my glasses off, into my pocket and carried on a bit further. I didn’t make it to the lane, I was afraid of a heavier downpour so pulled my hoody up over my head and stepped up my pace. By the time I reached our corner, it had stopped. I gave myself some praise for getting out and came inside for a nice cup of tea.

The view I love as I looked back up the hill

From the road, I spotted this white spec across the field
I zoomed in with my little camera to 48x and wish I had my
telescopic lens

I needed to change something on my blog posting from last night so after publishing it, sent it back to ‘draft’ format. This morning, I fixed it and added the video for our friend, Loree. I read the latest blog postings from friends and then got washed up to go into town. 

The sky was busy moving clouds around
black ones

Yesterday, I meant to get the RO water jug filled but forgot so did that in town today and turned around for home. It was going to be an on again, off again kind of day for rain, snow and sun so I decided to stay indoors and bake.

On the way back from my walk, I noticed the new
shelter for the first time from this side

First on the agenda, was chocolate cupcakes for Bill’s dessert lunches. I found a keto recipe using almond flour and wondered if he would like them. Well, let’s give it a go. If he doesn’t, I know I can eat them guilt-free. They look great but I knew he’d prefer frosting. I wanted to make a supper dessert and so got a bit creative there too. Until I taste it, I don’t know how it will turn out.

This view is from the road but the front corner of the property

Apple cranberry pie using one of my last bags of frozen apples in the freezer and cranberries I’d made into sauce from the fridge. The bottom crust was keto, again, made from almond flour. It can’t be rolled so I used my fingers to spread it in the pie plate before baking it for 12 minutes. I doubt it will lift out easily but I couldn’t do anything about that now. The fruit went in next with a blend of flour and Splenda before I added a regular flour pie crust on top. Fluted, it looks passable.

Ready to bake cupcakes

They turned out great!

Bill came in at 2:30, surprising me, so he taste-tested a cupcake before frosting. That was a thumbs up so I proceeded to blend the keto buttercream mixture. 😉 It was a passing grade there too as we shared licking the beaters. The next ‘guinea pig’ test was supper. Hmm, I have a package of beef strips out that I am making into a stew using one of George’s recipes. He used chunks of beef but this will have to do for us today. Trying to get creative with meals is often a challenge.

This was lunch and it held me over until supper

It was different to work with than a regular dough

But it baked up really nice with a nice almond flavour
I filled it with fruit and a top crust

At 5, I started getting the ingredients out, cut and ready. Madame IP was on standby for sautéing as I chopped carrots, potatoes and onions. I also have biscuits in the fridge that I may bake although the convection oven has been used quite a bit today already. Sitting here at 4, the cool outside air can be felt and by the look of the clouds, there may be some not so nice precipitation overnight tonight. ☹ Bummer.

It was a nice supper without the rolls

Supper was ready to eat at 6. I cooked some mixed vegetables in the microwave and thickened the liquid in the stew. It was pretty basic but it had good flavour and there is a small amount leftover for another night. For dessert, I cut into my 3 storey high pie. I’m surprised it didn’t run over since the top crust could not be sealed to the bottom one. It was delicious! The two fruit flavours together were really nice. It was still a bit warm so I didn’t have to reheat our slices.

Yummy, both crusts were flaky and delicious

A very deep dish pie

We did the dishes and after Bill made his lunch, we enjoyed the evening together. Neither of us can believe that tomorrow is Friday already and that we are half way through this month of April. Time does fly when you’re having fun. 😊

Good night

Thank you for stopping by.