Baking and making...

To say that the last few weeks were rough without having the sun streaming into the house would be a tad bit of an understatement for me.  I thought it was only two weeks of torture but in reality it was three.  To go that long with out seeing bright sunshine is awful.  And I am that person who really needs a dose of it, daily in the Winter.  Inversions in the Winter suck.  There's no other way to explain it.  This past weekend found us down by the river soaking up the sunshine and enjoying being outside.  This morning we woke up to snow again.  Totally didn't see that in the forecast yesterday.  At least the sun has showed itself all day since.    

I try to keep upbeat and busy during that kind of weather.  Finding any little thing to pass the day a little bit faster in hopes that tomorrow will bring that wonderful bit of sunshine.  So during this wait I went on a baking extravaganza.  

There was a special birthday that came along and that all important Purple Strawberry Cheesecake was made.  When that is the only special request that is asked for by the birthday girl I must make it happen.

I finally got up the nerve to make my own Sourdough Starter.  I've been wanting to do this for years.  I really don't know what I was waiting for.  It's so dang easy.  I've made over a dozen loaves of bread since and the flavor just keeps getting better and better.  I'm so glad I finally did this.  Come to find out my Oma used to make all her bread with starter and if ever she or her neighbors would have too much they would share with one another so that they would all have fresh homemade bread.  How awesome is that!  The things you find out by just talking to your parents.

Pies had to be made to take up our State Legislators again this year.  I must admit that I have only ever bought the pre-made pie crusts in the past because I was nervous about making my own.  And again I must admit I don't know what I was nervous about or why I put this simple task off.  I will never buy pre-made pie dough ever again.  I'm thinking I might even make a bunch of them and freeze them so I can have fresh pie whenever I get the hankering.

How could I pass on Double Crust Apple Blueberry Crumb pie whenever I feel like it?

And Homemade Chicken Pot Pie?

I don't know either.

I'm finally getting back into the making/creating mode now that the sun is showing itself again.  I've finally decided how I'm going to use this ever so cute fabric I have been hoarding away for a while.  The thought of cutting it up into little bitty pieces would send me into a panic.  Seriously, all those cute critters in their tree forts and roasting marshmallows while camping.  I just couldn't cut all that cuteness up.  Then I was inspired by a quilt I saw and knew I had to do something similar.  All is good now.

Now I'm waiting patiently for the next fabric line to come out from the same designer.  

Just keep the sunshine coming and all will be good around here.

~*~