Baking With Julia Gingersnaps

I served these snappy gingersnaps last night and they went fast. I had to refil the tray because guests were requesting more. Not all of the bakers in the TWD Baking with Julia group really loved these. Some said the dough was too sticky to roll out or the baked cookies were not that crispy. I didn't have these issues and guests gobbled them up last night. See below post for photos.

TWD: Baking With Julia- Gingersnaps

I have to say that I loved these coookies. The dough was rather wet, but once chilled, it was not to difficult to work with. What a wonderful cookie for Christmas and I froze much of the dough so that I can bake later in the week.

TWD: Baking With Julia-Double Chocolate Cookies

These are wonderful cookies. Easy to make and delicious. I saved about half of the dough and rolled it into a log, wrapped it in saran and wax paper, and then froze it. I might drizzle white chocolate and sprinkle crushed peppermint candy on that batch for Christmas cookies

Final Planting

I have been cleaning up the raised beds because I know that as soon as Spring permits I will want to start planting. I have added compost to all the beds and I completed my final planting. Garlic is in and I have all of the tulips planted and most of the daffodils. Next weekend should take care of the final clean up.  The week after that I hope the greenery for the flower boxes arrives from White Flower Farm. I always like to complete the flower boxes before Thanksgiving.

TWD:Baking With Julia-Danish Braid

This months baking adventure was making a danish braid. The dough is similar to puff pastry, but contains yeast. I also found it much easier to work with. The recipe made enough dough for two braids. I froze half of the dough and with the other half I created a strawberry and almond danish. It was delicious. Would I make it again? Yes, but I would like to try another filling. I am just not sure what filling I should use.  If you have any ideas, I would love to hear about them.

 Prior to baking.

 Finished product.

Tasting time. Yum!

Green Envy

I purchased a new compost from Ohio Mulch that is called Green Envy. I had never heard of this before and discovered that Ohio Mulch works with various grocery stores such as Krogers and restaurants to compost their fruit and vegetable waste. So far I have purchased 16 bags to add to my raised beds this fall. They were having a special: buy one bag and get one free. We would never be able to produce this amount of compost. In comparison to their Green Envy bags, we produce about 3 bags worth. .  

Last of The Tomatoes

I am starting to cleanup the garden and I pulled up all of the tomato plants, and harvested what was left on their vines.

I still have one raised bed with kale, carrots and basil. The basil has done very well this year and I have frozen plenty of pesto for the winter. The cabbage crop did not do so well.. As I stated before, I had an overabundance in the cabbage department last year and this year zero. Eggplant is just finishing up and has been a winner.

Most gardeners complain of too many cucumbers and zucchini. I just do not have very good luck with them and may not plant them next year. Projects moving forward: cleaning up the garden so it is ready for spring planting!