Monday, May 17, 2010

The Stepmonster Cooks


First off I'd like to start this post by giving myself a slap on the hand for what amounts to being a horrible step-mother...again. We had a beautiful weekend here and I had the audacity to suggest to my step-daughter that she set up her Barbie pool outside and enjoy the weather.

That's it. She screamed bloody murder that I had her put on shorts, a tank top and play outside while I gardened. I know, I know...the cruelty I subject her to. Since she hated that idea so much I made her sit on the porch instead with no toys. I'm sure she'll be scarred for life.

That pretty much sums up where our summer is starting out this year. How much fun does everyday of this sound? Yippee! Can't wait to see her reaction when she finds out I signed her up for swim lessons! Yeah! I'm becoming absolutely apathetic to what she wants anymore...since it basically sums up to sitting in her room.

I really wanted to make this post about my cooking...or rather lack thereof as of late. I love to cook, but with my super small, lacking of counter space typish kitchen, it really isn't enjoyable - at all. In fact it rates right up there with trying to do things with my step-daughter. I really can't describe how little counter space I have, but the following pictures probably will give you an idea of what I'm talking about.

I received a TON of great kitchen stuff for our wedding and for the Pampered Chef party I had in February - that has been either sitting around taking up space or stored away. Alanna sent me baking sheets recently, and since I've been craving cookies, and had a large bag of chocolate chips in the cupboard, well...time to try out the new materials! I decided to put my Baking stone, glassware mixing bowls, ergonomic baking sheets and Kitchenaide mixer to use - pretty much all at once - with new recipes no doubt. Lot's of big 'ifs' there.

In the menu:

Dark Chocolate/ Toffee Chip Cookies
Artisian Bread
Baked French Toast

I can only handle 3 at once with this kitchen...seriously. Wait until you see the balancing act...
This pretty much amounts to my total (at least largest) counter space:

Oh look - there's a little more next to the stove:

Taking advantage of some space on the table:

Letting the bread 'rest':


Mmmmmmmmmmmmm! This bread was SO simple to make. I would add in honey and some spices next times, but for a quick, plain white bread it's awesome! There are usually some challenges to baking at 8000 feet altitude, but I didn't have to alter anything for this recipe.


Oh! More counter space in front of the microwave! Yeah! Notice the pan is hanging off the edge...



Let me tell you how way yummy this baked french toast turned out. It was even better as leftovers!


All in all everything turned out great and all the new 'materials' I tried out worked great! And...NOTHING ended up on the floor (except a little flour)!

4 comments:

AJ said...

Haha! Tell Becky that I took Noah to day care today with no shoes on because when I told him to put them on, he pulled the laces out. So I picked him up, put him in the car, and brought him (and his shoes) into day care and sat them down seperately. I'm a mean mom, too:)

You must post the recipe for that bread!!!

Andrea said...

Girl, she will get better, I think she is just trying to see what she can get away with. I am sure her mother lets her do what ever she wants. Kids like structure. Keep it up. I have an 8 year old that acts the same way.

And girl, you have been cooking up a storm!!! You can come to my house and cook me some cookies!!! YUM!!

BrownEyed Cowgirl said...

I hear ya on the misery of tiny kitchens. I have several that are just as lacking in space as yours.

I thought the house we live in now had a nice kitchen...but that was comparing it to some of the cubby-holes I have had in the not too distant past.

I cannot wait to move into the new house. That kitchen is to die for.

Still it looks like you ended up with some awesome food. Wanna share the recipe for the baked french toast? My family loves french toast and I love casserole type breakfast dishes to make up and put in the oven for weekend mornings.

Kara said...

My kids aren't super happy when we have to do yard work while they play. They tend to be happier when we give them a shovel or some gloves to help as well. There is nothing wrong with having her sit to the side if she is throwing a fit.

Also, the food looks very yummy. What is the bread recipe??