TWD/BWJ: Boca Negra

Didn't plan on baking this time because I gave up carbs for Lent but both kids came home for the weekend. It seemed like the right thing to do after all. And besides, Sundays don't count during Lent. Mama had to have a little slice. Just to test it, of course.

I'm a Kentucky girl, so you KNOW there was bourbon on the shelf. But only just enough since Christmas makes a dent in the supplies, what with eggnog and bourbon balls and all...

The only word I can think of to describe this is LUSCIOUS. And easy. Used the food processor method. It won't be the last time for Boca Negra at our house, although I may try Kahlua or Grand Marnier next time instead of the bourbon.

Tried to tell her that chocolate
isn't good for dogs. She didn't
care for that explanation.

Flipped out just fine.

Even poor nauseous Daddy took to it. This was a bad bad week all around. Chemo was hard, and then came the news that we're losing our pastor. I can hardly stand it. The kids and the chocolate saved me for now.

Did you notice my daughter's red hair? It used to be blonde (for the first 20 years of her life). That's what happens when they become art majors. Just sayin'. Get it out of your system now, honey. 

This recipe can be found here, and the other TWD bloggers are here. Do not fear the Boca Negra.

Here's a shoe I spotted in the courtyard at church one Sunday:

TWD/BWJ: Foccacia

OK, I'm late again. But *late* is a relative term.

A very wise woman once said to me that the most important question in quilting (and in life) is "who made that rule and why?" Maybe I should go back and look at the Tuesdays With Dorie rules. Do they *require* me to bake the recipe on the given date? Because if that's the case, a large portion of the bakers are breaking the rules, but they're baking in advance. So as long as I'm baking, experimenting, learning, TRYING - the project is a success in my book.

Saw on Cher's blog that drawing on the wrap
could help me judge the rise time.
See how much I'm learning?

This was good bread, but it took me 3 days from start to finish. Well, technically, it took the yeast 3 days. All I did was mix it up, watch it rise, and let it hang out in the fridge for a day and a half. Nothing hard about that. But if I want to have this again, I need to remember to start REALLY early. As I believe I've demonstrated quite effectively, doing things in advance is not really my forte...

to think of all the years this poor stone
languished in the oven unused...

My beloved USM on a beautiful day

Remember that little road trip my son and I went on a couple of months ago? When we saw the first dorm I ever lived in? That dorm was on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi, in Hattiesburg. How glad I am that we made that trip. Late yesterday afternoon, a tornado ripped through Hattiesburg, straight down Hardy Street to the USM campus. Thankfully, most of the students were gone on a Mardi Gras break. But there is much damage to the town. The pictures and videos are shocking. Unbelievably, there seem to have been no fatalities. Thanks, God.

Your life can change in a minute. So enjoy as many of the minutes as you can. Eat warm bread straight out of the oven. And don't worry if you didn't bake it on the right day.

This recipe can be found here, and the other TWD bloggers are here.

Since this week is Valentine's Day, here's a shoe I've been saving for awhile. It was on the side of the interstate in a really bad place to slow down, so excuse the bad quality. But how many times do you see a red Croc?!? Happy Valentine's Day!  Hope you have some really good minutes this week.