Moose

Even our "little" Moose enjoyed the sunshine this weekend.

We think he's pretty handsome!

Barefoot Contessa

So, basically when I can't sleep - I bake. This is my latest early morning scramble.

Hmm.. what could it be?
Oh look. It's a chocolate ganache!

.. and it looks nothing like Ina's..

Infact, it looks horrible.

But it passed the "good job, honey," test.

Mmm, cinnamon

I've been up since 5:00am so I decided to bake! I made some yummy cinnamon swirl-coffee cake.

I had a little trouble getting it out of the pan and all of my crumbles crumbled and fell off (whoops!). Then I put a glaze on it.. dropped a paper towel and smudged it everywhere.. then thought I could salvage it by smearing it with a fork.. It did not work.

Well, I assure you this: It tastes way better than it looks!

Maryse

This was supposed to be a gathered scarf, but I didn't like the way it was coming out with the vareigated yarn. I made a hand towel for the bathroom instead!

I wish I had a pretty soap for it, but I guess Caress will have to do!

You will see this pattern again, as I do want to make the scarf with it!

'tis but a dusting

It was predicted yesterday that we could possibly get up to ten inches of snow. Figuring the snowfall would be the perfect way for me to plan and plot a blog entry I started snapping pictures out of the spare bedroom window every hour.

3:30pm

4:30pm

I'm sure you can imagine my astonishment, when not even ten minutes after I took this last photo, the snow abruptly stopped falling. So much for my snow documentation!

Well, I shouldn't say that. This is Maine, afterall. There will be more snow.

My apologies..

...for falling off the face of the earth. However, I have returned and am more focused on getting back into the swing of things here. Since Valentine's Day was over a long weekend this year, we decided to go away and do something fun. We chose Salem & Boston as our not too close, but not too far away destination. In Salem we saw these great ice sculptures!

Whoopie Pies

In between visiting with the chicks in their coop, reading, and snuggling with sweet Winslow Homer on my much-too-short visit with my Aunt Julie (of Dog Trot Farm), one morning we talked of whoopie pies.

One morning of whoopie pie talking turned into an afternoon of baking!

A whoopie pie is a bit like a cake sandwich. They are considered a New England phenomenon and also a Pennsylvania Amish tradition -- Amish legend says that when children or workmen would find these treats in their lunch boxes they would shout "Whoopie!" According to Wikipedia, anyway.

There are many varieties of these mouth-watering pies, but my favorite is the traditional chocolate!

Pie recipe from FINEST KIND: a collection of favorite island recipes

2 C. flour 1 C. granulated sugar
1 tsp. baking soda 3/4 C. milk
1 tsp. salt 1/2 C. oil
1/2 C. cocoa 1 tsp. vanilla extract (but I use a little extra)
1 egg

Combine ingredients and drop on greased sheet (I use a sheet of parchment paper instead). Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Whoopie Pie Filling (from the Whoopie pie lady featured on the WCSH6 207 show):

6 T. fluff
4 T. vanilla
4 T. flour
4 T. milk
4 C. confectioners sugar
1.5 C. Crisco

Add all ingredients in bowl and beat until smooth. Then place a scoop of filling between two of the pies and ENJOY!!

Hey, who snuck a bite of pie?!

Oh, right. It was me!

I also made a loaf of banana bread, but we'll save that recipe for another day!