Sheets TOO Crispy?

I heard a little trick on how to avoid your sheets and other laundry items getting too crispy on the line. Hang them out in early morning or late afternoon so they can dry slowly. The midday sun dries them so fast that they get a bit too overdone. Now if only I had a line to dry them on myself!

Ramicans, Not Just For Baking

Ever had that terrible fruit fly invasion in the kitchen? Or the bathroom as I have it?

I read about this somewhere years ago and it has worked like a charm every time.

Either using your old beer or buying a cheap can of it, pour some into a shallow dish, cover with saran wrap and then using a fork poke one set of holes in it. The fruit flies love beer. I don't know why, probably because they're Canadian (ours are anyway). They go in the tiny holes by the scent and can't get out. Mu-ah-ah-ah. I put two out in the kitchen and one in the bathroom. For some strange reason they always find their way there and this week, in masses! Its terrible. So here's a snap shot of the ramican in my bathroom... and by complete coincidence, the bar of soap I have out right now. I have NO idea why my toddler is too wigged out to use the soap right now.

Pavlova follow up

I should have mentioned in my post To Meringue or Not To Meringue just how darn easy it was to make this. AND to add that you bake the meringue for 2 hours completely changing the consistency. Its no longer soft (I'm not a huge fan of lemon meringue but will eat it if presented!) This came to a melt in your mouth kind of thing. To die for. And I've been able to google some uses for the yolks because I hate wasting them too. In the end this dessert did not feel heavy at all and would be easy to eat after a big meal.

I should also have shared the recipe for reference!

Here's a photo of the recipe, clicking on it should enlarge it enough for easy read.

To Meringue or Not To Meringue?

Why have I always been so terrified of making anything meringue? It seems so straight forward.
Of course I did go through the moment of... "hmmm... this is not working" only to realize speed 2 is not appropriate. Speed 6 or 8 on the KitchenAid, now that works! But of course I've never used this mixer on that level before as it isn't required for most basic muffin and cookie recipes. So with the whisk attachment and speed 6 I have so far meringued twice with success! Yes! But of course it would help if I only had put in the egg whites that are required and not the entire egg. However, these things happen when your toddler helps you bake. Let's just say we're having scrambled eggs for breakfast tomorrow.

Today's meringue need was for Pavlova. I picked up this very intriguing recipe book for a steal at a great warehouse sale.

Company's Coming : Most Loved Summertime Desserts

Not only is this the cover of the book but that's the Pavlova! Doesn't it look good?

So of course I've never made or even heard of Pavlova to be honest. And in the same 24hrs I decided I was going to attempt it my girlfriend happened to email me a similar Pavlova recipe on a whim! It means I'm meant to do it, you know what I mean?

I was a little worried by the look of it. Its extremely delicate to work with!

But in the end, despite its imperfections, it was absolutely delicious (if I do say so myself).

I brought it up to the in laws for Father's Day and it was a hit!
I will bake the other recipe my girlfriend emailed me and have our family determine the tastiest and also let you know how easy it was in comparison to this one.

Dressed for Me!

As mentioned in my 'Work it Baby' post, wouldn't it be just as easy and much more uplifting to wear dresses while nursing and chasing children than yoga pants? Well, I got myself a few dresses but here are two of my faves. While a little shorter than the sandbox at the park might allow they completely allow for nursing. I love them. Got them at one of my fave Queen West stores; Girl Friday.

Baking Haute Couture

Not just for your fashionable enjoyment, aprons are extremely useful in the old "hand wiping" department too, as you well know. Some people simply use a tea towel strewn over the shoulder (like my fiance). But me, I like to wear something that says... "I'M BAKING!" meaning, "I feel very important, don't bother me."

And if you're going to wear an apron I feel its a perfect opportunity to wear something with pizzaz!

A few years ago I bought my fiance this one by Earth Angel Designs.

I thought it very clever and suiting but alas, he's not an apron kinda guy. So I used it for quite some time until I got myself something more to my style.

This half apron is by Coy Clothes and beyond her awesome t-shirts I'm happy that she's gone into aprons because she's doing them right! All upcycled materials she puts them together in a retro and fun way. I mean, look at the cute pocket made from an old flour sack!

I hope to keep building my apron collection as well. They need constant cleaning - at least mine do! So more than a couple seems reasonable to me and it also quenches my shopping thirst!