Sweet Tooth Haven

Our President in Pictures

The Boston Globe's Big Picture has a photographic look at President Obama's first 167 days.  There's 38 photographs, so have a look. 

Spare Change?

We have a coin jar where we dump our change at the end of the day to make pockets and purses lighter.  It was getting a bit full and since our credit union has a coin machine that counts the change for you for no fee, providing you're a member, I decided to cash in our coins.

Coins are heavy.  I somehow managed to lift that jar just enough to pour the coins into 3 quart-size zip top bags.  It was about half the coins, but that's all I wanted to carry at once.

      

In all, I cashed in about $200 in coins.  Not bad!  That spare change really adds up.

Feijoa - Pineapple Guava

Whenever I find feijoas (AKA pineapple guavas) in the markets around here they are priced $2 or $3 each.  Crazy.  They are delicious eaten raw, and baked into bread, but the price is just too high.  These fruit are supposed to be easy to grow in the southern California climate, so I finally decided to plant my own.  I placed a special order at a local nursery, but when it finally arrived months later, I found they had several at Lowe's for a lower price.

I picked a 19-inch plastic pot and drilled a few holes in the bottom to allow good drainage.  Then planted it with a mix of potting soil and soil for citrus trees that is supposed to be quick-draining.  I planted 3 nasturtium seedlings in the pot to keep it company.

I hope it blooms next spring so I can have some fruit in the fall!  If so, I might share my recipe for feijoa bread.

If you want to plant your own feijoa, look for a named variety that will bear fruit.  The common one around here is Coolidge.

The Bird in the Garage

I went to get the mail and when I got back there was a little bird flying around in my garage.  I've left the door open for 10 minutes now, but it hasn't found its way out.  It keeps flying up.  Perhaps the reflection off our cars is confusing the poor thing.  If I hadn't left my camera at work I'd show you a picture of it.

Waiting for Part Two

Currently I'm awaiting the release of two books.  Both are the second in a trilogy.  If you like fantasy or crime/mystery novels, I recommend both of these books.  However, pick them up at your own peril, soon you'll be wanting more and left waiting like me.

Two years ago I read the wonderful fantasy novel, The Name of the Wind by first-time author Patrick Rothfuss.  I read it knowing it was the first in a trilogy and as soon as I was finished I found myself ready for the next part.  Last April I ordered The Wise Man's Fear (Part 2) for myself and my brother-in-law and reread Name of the Wind while I waited for it to arrive. It never did, and even though I checked Amazon everyday, it took me about a week to realized the release date was indeed April, but of 2010. Oh well, at least I've had something to look forward to for the past year. 

***UPDATE 4/9/2009***  I just read Patrick Rothfuss's blog and it doesn't look like Wise Man's Fear will be out anytime soon. 

Just last week I finished reading The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larson.  This was the first time I read a novel set entirely in Sweden and I was intrigued.  A disgraced financial reporter, Mikael Blomkvist, is hired by a wealthy octogenarian to look into the mysterious disappearance of a beloved family member.  The trouble is the disappearance happened decades ago and every lead seems to have already been followed to the end.  The narrative switches between Mikael's story and that of the title character until their paths cross.  All three novels are released in the author's native Sweden.  The translated version of the second book,The Girl Who Played With Fire, is already out in England, and while I could purchase it from amazon.co.uk, I'll wait until July.  It's always nice to have a good book to read during the summer.

         

Customer Service, Defined

I would like to thank the good folks at Anchor Hocking for renewing my faith in Customer Service.  Here's my story:

I have been using ramekins covered with plastic wrap as little individual fruit bowls for at least a year.  I knew there had to be a better way, and during a recent shopping trip I found a set of Anchor Hocking glass storage bowls with plastic lids.  No more plastic wrap, Horray! 

After about a week, I was frustrated that two of the lids would not remained shut, no matter what.  Before I tried returning the entire set without any packaging or receipt, I decided (with very little hope) to try and contact Anchor Hocking for a replacement.  I looked up their website and found the Customer Service - Consumer Affairs email link. 

Here's my email dated 2/17/09:

Hello,

I recently purchased a set of glass storage containers at Target.  It was an 8 piece set containing 4 glass bowls and 4 lids.  Are there replacement lids available?   Two of the lids fit perfectly and stay on, but 2 lids keep popping off.

Thank you,
M

And the reply dated 2/20/09

Dear M:

Thank you for taking the time to contact Anchor Hocking regarding the
problem you have experienced with your glassware product offering.

Anchor Hocking strives to maintain high quality standards to produce the
finest glassware available. Therefore it is important for us to hear of
any problems that you experience with our product.

If you will provide the capacity size of the bowls or the UPC code we
will send replacement covers with our compliments. Please include your
last name and address (NO PO BOX).

We look forwarding to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

ANCHOR HOCKING COMPANY

Amy (last name removed)
Consumer Affairs


Quite surprising, right.  After I sent my last name and address I got an immediate reply that the lids would be arriving in 4-6 weeks.

And so, the lesson is, there are still some American companies that provide good, old fashioned customer service.  Thank you.

An Ode to Trader Joe's

I haven't been around for awhile, but not because I don't care.  When things are hectic at work, my baking and cooking, and generally anything fun suffers.  Enough about me, I saw this today and I just had to share.  If you have a Trader Joe's in your area, you'll know they don't advertise, so this guy created a commercial for them.  If you are not blessed with a TJ's near you, you can email a location request (just choose location request from the drop down menu). 

Happy Holiday

"Six to Eight Black Men" by David Sedaris is my favorite story to listen to or read on Christmas.  Here it is in 3 parts from the CD Live at Carnegie Hall.  David Sedaris recently published an updated version of Holidays on Ice that includes this story.  You can also get the book version.  However, for me, the stories are always so much funnier when I listen to him read them.  Enjoy.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Want more? NPR always has a story about David Sedaris's "Santaland Diaries" where he recounts his time as an elf at Macy's.  There is a link to listen to the story.  Link

Lesson Learned

It's much easier to ride your bike up hills when the tires are inflated properly.  I guess it makes sense.  You get better MPG in your car when tires are inflated properly, therefore you should use less energy pedaling a bike with full tires.

Before riding my bike to the bookstore today, I squeezed the front tire and was surprised by how squishy it was.  I don't know much about bikes, but I know the tires weren't that low when I got the bike.  Off I went to a sporting goods store, purchased a pump, and inflated the tires.  Did you know the proper PSI is on the side of bike tires?  I had to ask the guy at REI.

Too Much Information

Trader Joe's is getting ready for the holidays by offering some festive treats, including the adorable Gummy Tummy Penguins.  Since these would be perfect stocking stuffers for my nephews, I got a bag so I could sample them.  After eating about 10 penguins I got the idea that I should check if they were gluten free for my youngest nephew.

The second ingredient: 

pork gelatin. 

Seriously.  Do they need to be specific?  I know most gelatin is derived from animals, but when I read pork gelatin I can't help but picture pigs feet boiling away in a pot.  I couldn't eat anymore.

Incidently, the last ingredient was wheat starch, so I guess that leaves them off the list.

Time to Stock Up

It's November!  The holidays are coming.  Time to stock up on your baking supplies.  My favorite folks at King Arthur Flour are having free shipping on orders of $75, but only through Sunday.  I tend to jump at their free shipping offers since weight is an issue when you are buying flour and baking mixes. 

King Arthur Flour - online baker's catalogue.

Here's what I'm getting: chocolate for peppermint cups; flour for cinnamon rolls; crumb cake mix, and monkey bread mix because I want to.  Doesn't the monkey bread look delicious?

Spider Cakes for Halloween

If you're having a Halloween party or want to impress your friends and family with some super cool goodies, look no further.  Not Martha has provided complete instructions for a variety of spooky spider cakes.  Usually I make caramel popcorn, but these are too cool. I may have to try them. Although transporting them might be more of a trick than a treat. (Ha!)

Errands with My Oma

Last Saturday, before the Santa Ana winds started blowing, we had some gorgeous fall weather.  65-degrees F and clear as it gets.  It was the perfect day for me to run errands on my Azor Oma.  Riding along the bike path makes my trip a tiny bit longer, but it's worth it.  In the background you can see the some of the hills that were on fire this time last year (1, 2, 3, 4).  The path runs along a cemented creek bed.  I'm not sure why we cement over the creek beds in southern California, but they usually make bike trails next to them, so I don't mind too much.

I've already been to Target and an office supply store.  Now I'm on my way to pick up a few things at the grocery.

Coconut Caramel Bars - Homemade Samoas

What do you do when your favorite girl scout cookies run out?  If you're a baker at King Arthur Flour, you come up with your own recipe to recreate the goodness.  The rest of us can benefit from the genius since they are kind enough to share.  I've made these on several occasions and while they are not an exact copy of the Samoa, they are darned good.  Maybe even better.  You be the judge.

There are two versions of the cookie.  The ingredients are the same.  As far as I can tell, the difference lies in the layering.

If you prefer the chocolate on top (the original!):  Ginger's Coconut Caramel Candy Bars.  This is the recipe I follow, simply because it's the one they printed in the catalog years ago.

Or, if you prefer the caramel on top:  Coconut-Caramel Candy Bars

The recipe works with the creamy Merckens Caramel they sell at KAF in a 5 pound (for the serious caramel lover) or 18 oz. block.  I've also made it with the individually wrapped caramels you get at the store.

Before you start, make sure you know how to toast cocount. I really like Let's Go Organic Shredded Coconut.  It's got a super fine shred, and it's organic!  They  have a lite version as well.  I usually mix half reguar/half lite.  I also find this brand at my local Whole Foods Market.

Don't Vote

The celebrities encourage you not to vote...unless you care.