Hm. My guest baker dozed off and no-showed. (shrug) No major damage done tonight. I dropped the jar of cinnamon on the floor and the lid cracked. Max ran off with my dish towel. And I had some minor singes on cookiesheets, but nothing that left a mark.
Here's the play by play....
Chocolate Crinkles Batch 1: In 4:19pm; Out 4:28pm
CC2: In 4:28pm; Out 4:37pm
CC3: In 4:37pm; Out 4:45pm
CC4: In 4:47pm; Out 4:55pm
4:53pm -- began mixing Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Batch 1: In 5:30pm; out 5:41pm
ORC2: in 5:41pm; out 5:52pm
ORC3: in 5:53pm; out 6:04pm
ORC4: in 6:05pm; out 6:16pm
ORC5: in 6:17pm; out 6:28pm
Mixed Gingerbread dough -- chilling over night
Whipped Shortbread Cookies Batch 1: In 8:36pm; out 8:48pm
WSC2: in 8:48pm; out 8:59pm
WSC3: in 8:59pm; out 9:10pm
WSC4: in 9:10pm; out 9:21pm (too browned!)
WSC5: in 9:21pm; out 9:32pm
WSC6: in 9:32pm; out 9:43pm
Another productive day. Tomorrow I'll start bright and early! Look for me around 10:00 am EST!
Saturday, December 13, 2003
OK...meeting ran long. Back! I'm going to be doing whipped shortbread and MAYBE stained glass cookies! :)
Taking a mini-break to attend a guild meeting for my new Horizons game (I'm a geek) and simultaneously fluff up the Christmas tree. I'm such a multitasker!
Stay tuned for the continuation of CookieCam at 7:30EST, and an appearance by my first guest baker, David! Yes, David!!
Stay tuned for the continuation of CookieCam at 7:30EST, and an appearance by my first guest baker, David! Yes, David!!
Readers, I am VERY behind.
Because of the the small fire on Thursday, my 'taking the evening off due to promotion' last night, and the continued efforts of my husband and dog (!!) to eat all of my wares, I'm screwed.
But it's the weekend!! Lots of baking to do! Lots of eggs to crack and injuries to be had.
So let's bake Christmas Cookies, shall we?
To launch the cams, click on "CookieCam" on the left hand menu.
Because of the the small fire on Thursday, my 'taking the evening off due to promotion' last night, and the continued efforts of my husband and dog (!!) to eat all of my wares, I'm screwed.
But it's the weekend!! Lots of baking to do! Lots of eggs to crack and injuries to be had.
So let's bake Christmas Cookies, shall we?
To launch the cams, click on "CookieCam" on the left hand menu.
Thursday, December 11, 2003
2003: I don't make these things up. Honestly.
I was well on my way to baking the Chocolate Crinkles. I'd shaped the dough into cute little 1" balls and rolled them generously in powdered sugar. Twelve little crinkles in perfect rows. I lovingly picked up my tray to put in the oven.
Today's lesson: Spheres roll.
Four little crinkles rolled off of the tray and met their Maker on the 350-degree heating coil at the bottom of the oven. Tiny flames flicker around the coil and suddenly big billows of smoke gush from the oven.
Kim: "Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!"
I slammed the oven door shut and turned it off. The smoke crept out the sides of the oven door. Panicked, I hit the fan atop the range hood and ran into the hallway to fan the smoke away from the detector.
Kim: "ohpleasedon'thavethesmokealarmgooffDavid'sstillsleepingandit'll scare him to death"
After a few moments I opened the oven door again and rescued the immolated crinkles with nothing but a BBQ fork, a
metal spatula, and a steady hand. Unfortunately, the bottoms are now charred to the oven floor. So tomorrow I have to clean the oven before I do anything else. Joy.
Kim: "My cooooooooooooooooooookies!!"
Dough is back in the fridge until tomorrow.
Some days you ain't meant to bake cookies, I guess.
I was well on my way to baking the Chocolate Crinkles. I'd shaped the dough into cute little 1" balls and rolled them generously in powdered sugar. Twelve little crinkles in perfect rows. I lovingly picked up my tray to put in the oven.
Today's lesson: Spheres roll.
Four little crinkles rolled off of the tray and met their Maker on the 350-degree heating coil at the bottom of the oven. Tiny flames flicker around the coil and suddenly big billows of smoke gush from the oven.
Kim: "Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!"
I slammed the oven door shut and turned it off. The smoke crept out the sides of the oven door. Panicked, I hit the fan atop the range hood and ran into the hallway to fan the smoke away from the detector.
Kim: "ohpleasedon'thavethesmokealarmgooffDavid'sstillsleepingandit'll scare him to death"
After a few moments I opened the oven door again and rescued the immolated crinkles with nothing but a BBQ fork, a
metal spatula, and a steady hand. Unfortunately, the bottoms are now charred to the oven floor. So tomorrow I have to clean the oven before I do anything else. Joy.Kim: "My cooooooooooooooooooookies!!"
Dough is back in the fridge until tomorrow.
Some days you ain't meant to bake cookies, I guess.
Wednesday, December 10, 2003
2003: Cookie tip!
Tonight I made Pointsettia cookies. The photo suggests that you sprinkle them with red sugar and put a cinnamon pellet in the center.
As you can see from Cookie A, it looks pretty sad w/o the cinnamon pellet.
But, be warned. If you put the pellet in the center of the cookie before it goes into the 350 degree oven, the pellet will melt a bit, turning your Pointsettia Christmas Cookie into a bloody ninja throwing star of death. Like Cookie B.
What I did was put the pellets in as soon as the tray came out of the oven. (Cookie C) The cookies are still hot then, and although some pellets will fall off, most will melt just enough to adhere to the cookie as it cools. Without the bloodstains.
Tonight I made Pointsettia cookies. The photo suggests that you sprinkle them with red sugar and put a cinnamon pellet in the center.
As you can see from Cookie A, it looks pretty sad w/o the cinnamon pellet.
But, be warned. If you put the pellet in the center of the cookie before it goes into the 350 degree oven, the pellet will melt a bit, turning your Pointsettia Christmas Cookie into a bloody ninja throwing star of death. Like Cookie B.
What I did was put the pellets in as soon as the tray came out of the oven. (Cookie C) The cookies are still hot then, and although some pellets will fall off, most will melt just enough to adhere to the cookie as it cools. Without the bloodstains.
Almost 4 hours of baking today. I have the last batch of Pointsettias in the oven. I think I have about 5 dozen of them. They're very pretty but very time-intensive to make. The Crinkles dough is in the fridge overnight.
I think I should have had Butterfinger sponsor the CookieCam. Tonight I dropped my canister of flour on the kitchen floor. Flour all over the kitchen floor. Flour all over the blue apron (green's in the wash). Flour all over my sock and sweatpants. Er...make that David's sock and sweatpants...oops! Well, I had to Swiffer anyway...at least now I have a good reason to.
If all goes well tomorrow, I will be able to send a few batches out in the mail to those who asked for 'em so far. :)
The burn on my left forearm is still pretty nasty. Banging it on the desk at work doesn't help. Have I mentioned that I'm a klutz?
...oo...missed yoga. D'oh!
Anyhoo...cams will stay live while I clean. Call it "CleaningCam!"
Current Score: Kim 10, Cookies 3
I think I should have had Butterfinger sponsor the CookieCam. Tonight I dropped my canister of flour on the kitchen floor. Flour all over the kitchen floor. Flour all over the blue apron (green's in the wash). Flour all over my sock and sweatpants. Er...make that David's sock and sweatpants...oops! Well, I had to Swiffer anyway...at least now I have a good reason to.
If all goes well tomorrow, I will be able to send a few batches out in the mail to those who asked for 'em so far. :)
The burn on my left forearm is still pretty nasty. Banging it on the desk at work doesn't help. Have I mentioned that I'm a klutz?
...oo...missed yoga. D'oh!
Anyhoo...cams will stay live while I clean. Call it "CleaningCam!"
Woah! The checkerboard cookies are gorgeous! Martha's a harsh taskmistress, but I have to admit she does get results! I think I'll make some chocolate crinkles (fave from last year) while I wait for the Pointsettia dough to firm up.
Pointsettia cookies are mixed and are chilling in the fridge for at least an hour while I bake the checkerboard cookies. I fear the outcome of the checkerboards...
We're LIVE! Today I'm mixing a recipe that my Old Boss (damn him for leaving) pointed me to on his NEW site (which is not as good as our current site, btw!) for Pointsettia Cookies. Whilst letting that chill, I'm going to bake Martha's Checkerboard cookies from yesterday, THEN bake the pointsettias. Got it? Good. Let's bake, baby!
Tuesday, December 09, 2003
Construction?
OK, see what I'm doing on the right? (please note that my finger is not that grotesquely long in real life -- that's a really crappy angle) I'm assembling Martha's Checkerboard cookies.
Assembling.
See that green thing? It's a RULER. This recipe required me to roll two 7 inch squares of dough, 3/8 inch thick. Then cut each square into nine 3/4" long strips. Assemble the strips, alternating colors.
Listen, Martha, I have a Communications degree. Not an Engineering degree. You're going to have to dumb it down just a skosh for me.
Martha says to chill the logs for 1/2 hours. Um...methinks that they'll be better off chilling overnight. I'll bake the cookies tomorrow.
On the upside, I think I know have enough construction experience to join a union.
OK, see what I'm doing on the right? (please note that my finger is not that grotesquely long in real life -- that's a really crappy angle) I'm assembling Martha's Checkerboard cookies.
Assembling.
See that green thing? It's a RULER. This recipe required me to roll two 7 inch squares of dough, 3/8 inch thick. Then cut each square into nine 3/4" long strips. Assemble the strips, alternating colors.
Listen, Martha, I have a Communications degree. Not an Engineering degree. You're going to have to dumb it down just a skosh for me.
Martha says to chill the logs for 1/2 hours. Um...methinks that they'll be better off chilling overnight. I'll bake the cookies tomorrow.
On the upside, I think I know have enough construction experience to join a union.
Late Night CookieCam!
Methinks I'll give Martha's Checkerboard cookies another shot. Hopefully I won't drop the dough again.
Methinks I'll give Martha's Checkerboard cookies another shot. Hopefully I won't drop the dough again.
Sunday, December 07, 2003
O the Humanity!
I was chugging right along with Martha's Checkerboard cookies. I had faithfully kneaded the cocoa into half of the dough -- it took a good 15 minutes to do. The instructions simply said to put the dough between two sheets of plastic and roll into a rectangle. As I was turning the dough onto the sheets of paper, I lost my grip and it tumbled in slow motion to my kitchen floor.
I am devastated.
Current Score: Kim 8 -- Cookies 3
I was chugging right along with Martha's Checkerboard cookies. I had faithfully kneaded the cocoa into half of the dough -- it took a good 15 minutes to do. The instructions simply said to put the dough between two sheets of plastic and roll into a rectangle. As I was turning the dough onto the sheets of paper, I lost my grip and it tumbled in slow motion to my kitchen floor.
I am devastated.
Taking a quickie dinner break. Healthy Choice Chicken Enchilada. It reeks. For more of my scintillating frozen food reviews, check out Freezer Burn.
Gingerbread cookies went VERY well, save two decapitations and one unintentional circumcision. *wince*
7:29 GBC1 in oven
7:36 GBC1 out of oven. Darn, they cook fast!
7:40 GBC 2 in oven
7:46 GBC2 out of oven
7:47 GBC3 in oven
7:53 GBC3 out of oven.
Remember, while I'm live you can see the cams by clicking on CookieCam in the left menu. It pops up in a separate window.
Going live now! And I'm wearing my hair in ponytails. David almost fell over. I'm such an exhibitionist. ;)
David, sampling a chocolate chip cookie: Did you...use a different recipe for this batch?
Kim: No. Why? Do they suck?
David, parsing his words: No...no they don't suck. They just taste...different.
Kim, maniacally: Different? Different how??!?!?
David, fearfully: Well, look. (David pulls the earlier batch out from storage.) See? The other batch was darker. These are white.
Kim, shrieking: Darker? Well...well...well? Which batch tastes better?
David, knowing all is now lost: The first batch.
Kim falls upon a knife.
First batch at left, second batch at right.
Sigh. I guess we'll have to keep the inferior cookies to ourselves. What did I do wrong? Not enough brown sugar? Did I add vanilla extract? Did I not bake them enough? Good thing I have more chocolate chips.
In any case, I think I'm firing up the cam at 6:45ish for another cookiebaking spell. Tonight we'll be rolling out gingerbrea cookies and making checkerboard cookie dough for tomorrow. That dough has to refrigerate overnight.
Kim: No. Why? Do they suck?
David, parsing his words: No...no they don't suck. They just taste...different.
Kim, maniacally: Different? Different how??!?!?
David, fearfully: Well, look. (David pulls the earlier batch out from storage.) See? The other batch was darker. These are white.
Kim, shrieking: Darker? Well...well...well? Which batch tastes better?
David, knowing all is now lost: The first batch.
Kim falls upon a knife.
First batch at left, second batch at right.
Sigh. I guess we'll have to keep the inferior cookies to ourselves. What did I do wrong? Not enough brown sugar? Did I add vanilla extract? Did I not bake them enough? Good thing I have more chocolate chips.
In any case, I think I'm firing up the cam at 6:45ish for another cookiebaking spell. Tonight we'll be rolling out gingerbrea cookies and making checkerboard cookie dough for tomorrow. That dough has to refrigerate overnight.
About CookieCam
- Hi. I'm Kim. I started CookieCam back in 2002 as a self-indulgent experiment. I baked cookies anyway, so why not turn the webcam on myself? I did just that. Oddly enough, people watched. When it's on, the webcam's picture refreshes every 30 seconds. I bake lots of cookies. Are they the best? Nah. But they're pretty darn good. I do not strip or bake naked. Once I get off of my butt, this'll be my 5th year, and my 3rd location.
This year, the header image is from Vikki Hansen and downloaded via Stock.XCHNG. The font in the header is called Frosty. The favorite icon was free from N.Design studios. I'm once again powered by Blogger, because I'm too lazy to switch this little project to WordPress, which is how my real website is powered.
My internet connection isn't the best this year and I'm running the webcam off of a laptop with wireless access so if things look wiggy, refresh the page. :)
Links
What you see when I'm live:
Archives
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- 11/28/2004 - 12/05/2004
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- 12/04/2005 - 12/11/2005
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