Bread and the Beach

Last Sunday I spent several hours baking to get ready for the annual family party this Saturday.  Made 10 loaves of cardamom bread, a huge batch of potato candy, and almost 20 pints of Friendship Tea.

To elaborate, first off I did not spend hours and hours mixing, raising, proving, and baking the bread. I'll admit it - i took the cheater's way out! Bought 10 loaves of frozen Rhodes bread dough, let thaw, mixed in a few teaspoons of cardamom, reshaped and baked. Hot out of tue oven I brushed the tops with Karo syrup and sprinkled with colored sugar.

For the potato candy, I used instant mashed potatoes and mixed ith chocolate and slice into pieces. My twist was to roll them into small balls and dip into dark as well as semi-sweet chocolate so they are more like a Mounds truffle.  Turned out perfect!

Decided to make Russian Tea mix, which also goes by Friendship Tea.  Picked up large canisters of Lipton Iced Tea mix, Country Tome Lemonade, and Tabg. Yes Tang!  I can't helieve that stuff is still for sale!

Mixed up two batches of one canister of Tang to half a canister of iced tea and one-quarter canister of lemonade, added 2 cups of sugar, about 5 Tbs of cinnamon and 3 Tbs of cloves and mixed well.  Made a trial cup and it was pretty tasty!  Filled the jars, topped with a fabric square and done!

Tuesday we celebrated Candy's 50th birthday at Teri's restaurant. Haven't been there in years but will definitely be returning.  

Winter is here and it's been raining every single damn day!  Did take a cute photo of a hummingbird perched on the front bush, looking stately as he sat in the rain to determine his next adventure.

Friday we meet with the Blue Jacket Divas for dinner and the gift game. Then Saturday we make our our way to brother Jay's house in

 Cannon Beach for the family Christmas party. Rented three rooms at The Inn at Haystack Rock so we could all relax at the gathering and not rush home.  I'm looking forward  the mini-vacation at the beach!