everyone did a spectacular job. i had hoped to join in, but other things got in the way. i actually did some baking, but never got around to the decorating. i love everything that has been posted and if my scanner was hooked up -- actually, if i can find the cable - i would post some previous things i made and show off my "talent". unfortunately, i can't find the dang thing. terri, if you cooked/baked for me, i certainly would appreciate it all! all the meals are incredible and sharon, your pix are just to die for. what a lovely country you live in and what incredible dishes you make and pix you take. maryanne

I really should eat before I go to work but I was worried I didn't have an appetite. This thread solved that problem!! Love those red depression glasses Kathleen. And that chocolate rose Marigene! And the basil pic Sharon! I almost never post or read here because my average dinner is: a handfull of corn chips and a hunk of cheese, or canned tomato soup and grahmn crackers, or whatever looks good at the canteen at work. But this weekend, due to furious poofing, I cooked up a storm and I just have to brag. I made cherry yogurt bread that gave me fits last time due to not rising. This time it over rose and then collapsed. It's still yummy and edible though. I cut down on the salt from the recipe which I think was my big mistake. I made root vegetable gratin from the Cook's Illustrated Cover and Bake cookbook, which was good but way too rich for my taste. It featured potatoes, parsnips and carrots. I even cut down on the cheese and cream called for, and it was still too rich. I am going to experiment with the idea of a gratin a little more and see if I can come up with a lighter version that I still like. The best cooking adventure was poofed morroccan chicken that I made to use up some leftover mulled wine. It was red wine spiced with cinnamon, cardamon and cloves. Not enough to make it worth drinking. But I combined it with a tsp. corriander, cumin and paprika and some garlic and put it in the crockpot with some skinless chicken thighs, sweet potatoes and onions. Yum deluxe! I made a gravy with the juices left in the pot, to which I added more curry powder and a generous dash of hot paprika and some lemon juice. I also added fried green peppers and a half a leftover apple. Served with cous cous and sweet and sour stir fried chard that used up some oranges that were way past eating prime but supplied the "sweet" juice for the sweet and sour. I am having it all as leftovers for lunch today. The only problem was the potatoes got way overcooked. The Cook's Illustrated book said to put them on the bottom of the crockpot, closer to the heat, but that was way off base. The sweet potatoes cooked faster than the meat. Best to mix I think. I sure wish Penzeys sold a moroccan spice blend. I sure wish I knew how to spell Morocco!

Never heard of the vodka to help with texture. I'll have to try that. I make a matcha green tea one using coconut milk. I made ice cream sandwiches last summer using a gluten-free chocolate wafer cookie. (added a bit of mint to the 'cream'. ) It is a good fruit year so far. No fruit at all last year. Cherry tree is full. Raspberries and blueberries should be great. A few weeks ago made a raspberry(frozen) / rhubarb tart and tucked chopped dark chocolate all around the crust edge. Love that combination. (i don't usually do no dairy/gluten-free but did it for a friend) I use vodka in my homemade bug spray so just bought the cheapest that was in a glass container. Wanted glass since it will be on the shelf forever.

Hey Martha....in process of making your pie for Sunday dinner....I think I’ve done something wrong..things seem off.....it’s the filling ..made accordingly to printed off recipe...filling seems thin.....am holding up making topping for right now if I do and put topping on top it will sink into filling and run over. In fact have had pie in frig for a couple hours now and still does not seem to thicken. 2 1/4 cups heavy cream to 16oz chocolate chips, is that the correct ratio ? I am sure it is my pilot error....Shirl