Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  I'm a touch behind schedule. I wanted to send the revised draft of Garrett's story to my editor over the weekend. I'll be doing that today instead. I'm also sending it to a few of my beta readers to get their thoughts and feedback as well. 

Motivational Quote:  "Be true to who you are. Being somebody you are not is exhausting." ~ Hope Solo (American soccer player)

What I'm Reading:  I'm currently reading The Whisking Hour by Ellie Alexander but should finish it this evening. It's the 22nd  book in Ms. Alexander's Bakeshop Mystery series. If you like cozy mysteries that include recipes, this is a great series. 

Random Things:  It's finally getting cool enough to bake. The weather is supposed to be in the mid to low 60's for the majority of this week. I've pulled out all my bread and cookie recipes. Now the problem is trying to decide what to make first. One of my nieces gave me some of her sourdough starter a few months ago that I've been feeding every couple of weeks to keep it viable so I definitely want to try making sourdough bread for the first time. I also want to make chocolate Babka. Maybe some oatmeal cranberry cookies. I'm not a fan of raisins so I use dried cranberries instead. Of course, I'll be making focaccia. That goes without saying. So many things to bake and so little time. 

Random Photo:

Chocolate white chocolate  chip cookies I made last weekend despite it being in the 70's. I made them as a thank you for one of my nephews who did a huge favor for me but wouldn't let me pay him for his time and trouble. 
 

Another Way to Enjoy Chocolate

We had a new stove delivered last Friday because the oven in the old one wouldn't warm past 150 degrees. With the colder weather settling in, I definitely needed an oven that actually heated up. To  test out the new one, I made Chocolate Babka. It's a coffee cake like bread. It goes great with a hot cup of coffee (or tea) and the Sunday paper.

The best recipe I've found, and I've tried a few different ones, is from the King Arthur flour website.  I do have to admit that I don't always use the King Arthur brand. I use whatever brand of flour I have in the house and it works out fine. I also usually buy just enough dry milk powder from the local grocery store's bulk food section that I need for the recipe rather than buy a whole container that I may never use up before the expiration date comes up. 

Here's what it looks like: 

 And here's the link to the recipe - King Arthur Flour - Chocolate Babka Recipe
I hope you enjoy it as much as my family does.