Posts tagged kitchen
that's what she baked.
Adventures (and misadventures) in the kitchen from a novice baker.
Some of the results of said speed baking
This thing I did…
So back in November, or maybe it was even early December, I made this video with my friend Kirsten. I wasn’t working as much, and had odd hours of the day open. Kirsten lives in the neighborhood and is also around during the day so we were hanging out, and it was great. Some CBS show was looking for non-professional bakers for a new reality thing they were casting. Now, reality shows really aren’t my thing, but I thought I had some shtuff to offer, so I figured why not? So we made a submission video…
Here’s a picture I ‘grammed (that’s a thing people say, right?) while Kirsten was shooting.
Kirsten was so great, and I had a lot of fun. We had also talked about working on some sort of video series, but haven’t gotten the ball rolling on that idea. I’m a joy in the kitchen, I promise (modest too, right?), but am not sure if it translates as entertainment for the internet.
I’ve held off on posting anything about it, in the hopes that this show would get back to me and I’d have a different thing to blog about. But they didn’t. Whatever. I don’t care. Really.
See video here.
On living without…
First off, I just wanted to say, I’m not complaining, I just wanted to share… The above picture is generally what the sink area looks like at any given time. Between Tyler’s delicious dinners and my habitual baking, we create a lot of dirty dishes. I have been lucky enough to live somewhere with a dishwasher my whole life (maybe with the exception of one year) but our current apartment is sans dishwasher. And actually, I don’t mind. There are days when I feel like a large amount of time is spent hand-washing plates and spoons, pans and mixing bowls, and there are definitely evenings when I’d rather eat out because not only are all the dishes clean, but they’re also all put away. But really, it’s not so bad. My new schedule of course makes things much easier, being home at different hours than I used to be gives me time to actually enjoy cleaning tasks. And all the dishes are getting washed.
Please don’t read this post and pity me for thinking I need to fill the role of “homemaker” because I am a female. It’s just the way things are right now, and I’m totally okay with it.
Earlier this week, the first thing I baked in my apartment was oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, as a “just because it’s Tuesday” treat for my fellow teachers. I over-baked the first batch, but Tyler likes them best that way, so he got quite a few extra cookies put aside just for him. They all turned out crispier than I prefer (I’m a soft-cookie kinda gal), but were still yummy.
The top picture is in my pantry. I loooovvvve the built in storage. I love storage and containers and organization in general, so it’s working out very well. You can clearly see the baking shelf and the combined cookbooks between Tyler and I next to the plastic bins full of all my decorating stuff and cupcake liners.
My first time baking in my new apartment.
Lots of things are different. But as a whole, good different, and it’s all totally okay and I love the kitchen because there are these great portable counter shelving units, and I actually don’t mind doing dishes that much, (I hand-washed a lot of my baking stuff anyway) and there are, of course, the glorious, glorious pantries. I have a baking area, which is wonderful, and I’ll get used to the oven, in no-time (it’s not as nice as the one in the other apartment, or new or familiar). I just need to figure out the hot spots, how long it takes to pre-heat, what the real temperature is, etc.
What’s really great, is that everything is starting to have a place. And that feels good.
BIG NEWS. Big BIG news.
I have much to update about. I’m not going to even say I’ve been super busy lately, because I always say that. There’s always lots going on, I’m generally all over the place. I have had a little time to bake, which I’m happy about. Last week, Tyler and I made a pie and over the weekend I went home home and my mom and I baked and I’ll get to all that in later posts… But now, for the big news…
I’m moving. I’m actually right in the middle of moving… half of my belongings in my new apartment and half in the old one. Lots of stuff on the floor.
While moving is kind of annoying, and I get kind of overwhelmed and have lots of mini freak outs, I like the opportunity to reorganize and start fresh. Also, I’m actually only moving downstairs in my building. I lived with Brittany (landlord, roommate, friend, comedienne, all around fabulous lady) for over 2 years and it’s been great and I loved that kitchen, but the apartment downstairs became available and Tyler and I decided not to pass it up (Yeah, big girl things. crazy) I’ve never had my own place before, a whole apartment that’s all mine (well, and Tyler’s). It’s an easier move for me since I just have to walk down the stairs and Tyler’s old apartment isn’t too far. I’m so glad I still get to be a puppy aunt and my friend is taking my old room and she also has a dog so I can continue to get the perks of living with dogs without having the full responsibility.
Anyway, per usual, I’m rambling.
Here are some pictures of the kitchen pre-move in.
There’s no dishwasher and minimal countertop space, which kinda stinks, but there’s a ceiling fan, portable counters, and tons of built in storage in the two, yes two, pantries and it’s absolutely lovely and we’re going to make it work and I will post pictures after we’re all settled.
Awkwardly taken photo… but exciting things are happening. More on this later.
hint: that is not my kitchen
Oh yeah, Minnie was there too! Except I got there just when they closed the line, but I got to see her, anyway.
+ more pictures of the kitchen.
My mixing station.
We don’t have a whole lot of counter space in my kitchen so this is what I started doing when it’s baking time. I was getting a lot of splatter all over the toaster so it goes on the floor for a while, and then I just wipe down the wall.
I really want to buy myself a stand mixer for my birthday, but I don’t know where it would go.
And here we are. My growing apron collection.
