My Mom Mildred, The Chef: Think back to our mom's who produced a wholesome home cooked meal everyday for the family. We had out only for special occasions, fast food was not heard of and ingredients had to be on hand because Dad usually used the car for work, and the little housewife was really the wife of the house.. They whipped up recipes to hear yums and "wow - my favorite again." They created these dishes not only because they had to prepare dinner but they also wanted to add their own flair. My mother was the first in her family to present the "new lemon chiffon cake" that was being raved about.
My Mom Mildred, The Seamstress: The same mother mentioned above was probably a moderate seamstress. Another area of creativity made by necessity. Nothing was impossible to produce. Anything from winter coats to draperies and slipcover could be made. A trip to the fabric store was like our trip to the malls. It could take hours choosing the right pattern and then fabric and notions.
Back to Julia and Julie: The movie inspired me to move along with the blog and document my many areas of creativity and art. Julie's project portrays the challenge of creativity and creativity as a challenge. Maybe my projects can be challenged by my blog project. Recipe ingredients, paint, canvas, fabric, seaglass, shells, color create a wonderful artful home and life.
A Few Days Behind But Catching Up: Since I wanted to start my story earlier I am trying to catch you up to speed with my most recent artful life.
The Paintings: Currently I am working on four oil paintings. Why four at one time. Well I have my palette set up and while one painting layer is drying I work on another. My current inventory is depleted and I am also submitting entries to a juried and judged exhibit sponsored by the Holly Branch of the National League of American Pen Women. As president of the local branch I need to put my best paintings forward. I can't wait to actually the entries submitted for the Food, Farm & Foliage Fine Art Exhibit.
They shall be completed and framed before the deadline.
The Recipe: Well now to the kitchen. I think we need some treats for my sweetie. I decided on the Chocolate Cookies Recipe from Joy of Baking. I used a silicone mat instead of parchment paper on the baking sheets. Something set off our smoke detector, something we could not detect ourselves. The thing would not stop. Winston escaped followed by my husband. I took the batteries out of the detector until the baking was completed. Winston finally was coaxed inside and all is well. Both sweeties are eating the sweets.
Here is the recipe, and images of the Chocolate Cookies
1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
Chocolate Cookies: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees in rack in center of oven. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. (I used silicon sheets.)
In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the butter and sugars until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes). Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until incorporated. First sift together the cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, and salt and then add to the butter and egg mixture. Mix just until incorporated. Fold in the the chocolate chips.
Using a small ice cream scoop or two spoons, place about 1 1/2 tablespoons of batter on the prepared baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches (5 cm) apart.
Bake for approximately 8 - 10 minutes or until the the cookies are still soft in the center but are firm around the edges. Remove from oven and let cookies cool on baking sheet for about 5 minutes before removing the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
Makes about 24 - 3 inch round cookies.
Maria's Chocolate Cookies
(texture is between a brownie and cookie)
(texture is between a brownie and cookie)
Well more to come tomorrow. I hope to show the progress on my paintings and maybe even a photo of Winston.
Maria L B
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