My week

Because I didn’t finish my hearts project by February 14, I felt I couldn’t post on the blog. This is supposed to be mainly about quilting, after all. However I do have some miscellaneous stuff to post about, so here goes:

San Diego

We stayed at the San Diego Marriott in Mission Valley last weekend. I loved the carpet in the bright hallways.

And my bed was so comfortable.

For fiber interest, there was a charming photo in the room.

There was a yoga class overlooking the ocean. See the black blob thing on the far right side of the photo?

That was the instructor’s pig. I guess he brings him along to show his students how lithe and limber one can become by learning yoga.

Wardrobe failure

I planned a simple, coordinated wardrobe for the weekend in San Diego. Everything mix and match in black and white so I’d be prepared for any situation. I did some laundry. I chose black slacks and different tops and shoes, and jeans for drive. I laid everything out on my bed and was packed and ready to go early Friday morning.

I hung up my clothes in the hotel closet when we arrived Friday evening. When I got dressed Saturday morning for the funeral, I pulled back the curtains for a final check on my appearance. Oh no. I was wearing a black top, black shoes and hose, and blue slacks!

I changed to a white top and an overshirt with a tiny touch of blue in the front placket. I kept moving all day so no one would notice.

Scenic drive

Here is what I saw on the 940 mile trip:

We stopped at Harris Ranch on the way home. It is a very nice place with good food. I had French Fried sweet potatoes for the first time, along with my French Dip beef sandwich. Delicious.

Home again in the kitchen

I guess I’m not much of a gad about. I am so happy to be home. I baked some chocolate cookies to celebrate.

My mother made these all the time. They are rich in chocolate taste. Her recipe called for “Spry” but I’ve modified it by adding a little butter and using Crisco.

Chocolate wafers

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

2 Tablespoons butter and 6 Tablespoons Crisco – Total ½ cup of shortening
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, well beaten
3 ounces Baker’s chocolate (unsweetened) melted
¾ cup flour

Combine shortening, salt, and vanilla. Add sugar and cream well. Add beaten eggs and mix thoroughly. Add melted chocolate and blend. Add flour and mix well.

I use baking parchment on the cookie sheets (or you can grease the sheets). Drop dough from the tip of a teaspoon and let it stand for a while. Flatten the cookies by stamping them with a glass bottom covered with a damp cloth.

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. (They take exactly14 minutes in my oven.) This recipe makes about 30 cookies.

* * * * * *

Also in the kitchen – my two stove burners are acting peculiar. The back burner had little extra spurts of gas coming out under the sealed part. This sometimes made a pop noise and the burner went out. I carefully cleaned the circle of orifices and it seemed to work better. When I used the back burner I had to keep my eye on it and never leave the kitchen. This week the front burner started developing a little spurt of its own. This was a bit scary. I think the pan has rusted. I decided to order a whole new setup.

When I called Jenn-Air I learned that I could buy just the pan that goes under the sealed burners for only $139 (including tax and shipping). I could not figure out how the pan could be separated from the sealed burners. I tried to get them apart, but they have been together so long it seems impossible.

I decided to get the whole module for $329. I figured that if I only bought the pan I’d have to call an appliance repair person to come and take the old burner apart and put in the pan. That would cost at least $150. I’m pretty sure I can slip the whole module into the stove top myself. I’ve seen how it attaches underneath and slips in.

I hope I am right.