p.u.d.c.mini

I thought tonight after I got home from working at Reverie and walking the dogs in the wind storm I would try and make portable pineapple upside down cakes, or cupcakes if you will. You know, in my spare time.

However since it starts with melted butter and brown sugar and the fact that they are upside down it’s not like I could put them in paper cups.  Also the pineapple rings are a tad bit bigger then the bottom of my large size muffin cups.

But try I did.  I think they need work and I haven’t tasted them but it certainly was fun to try.  Granted I usually make my pineapple upside down cake in a cast iron skillet and heat up the butter and sugar in the oven while I’m making the batter.  But my first attempt I ended up making caramel from overheating the butter and sugar and once it started to cool was more like toffee.  So the batter sat while I redid that portion, arranged the pineapple which works better to tear the ring and overlap it so the batter doesn’t seep below the pineapple.

I think I understand more the difficulties from making this classic into a mini and next time they will turn out better.  But for now here is a quick peek.

Muffin Weather

My plans to walk the dogs last night were completely thwarted by the ridiculous pounding, pouring, torrential rain.

That and the fact that Missy and Sophie even in her coat and on leashes thrilled to go out had no desire to step outside the door when I opened it.  I let them have their way and retreated back into the sofa to watch the news, I mean the reports about the weather with a few MINOR events thrown in like Obama visiting China.

Watch the weather reports and make muffins that is….

I have been working on a couple savory muffin recipes for Reverie.  Last weeks was a spinach, feta and pine nut muffin.  I took two different versions to work for feedback and the feedback was “more feta” also onion.  But with the pine nuts and feta these were getting quite spendy and I don’t know if they will be profitable.  But they are yummy.  Perhaps buying in larger quantities will help with the profit margin.

Last night I made a corn muffin with roasted chilies, corn, green onion and pepper jack cheese.  These are pretty good.  But it was the first attempt at the recipe and again they could use something else.  I brought them to work for my trusty taste testers and again “more cheese” seems to be a common request.  I think they could use some black pepper and be pretty perfect so I am sure round two of this recipe is in the plans for this week.  Or maybe I’ll make them for Thanksgiving and make the family taste testers also.  They are pretty good however, I had them for dinner and breakfast this morning.

Tonight after work I have an appointment at 3:30 to get my windshield fixed.  It has taken me long enough to deal with it and all the added weather this week I just need to get it done so I am safe driving.  I fear another good sized rock hits it and it would shatter in on me including all the wind and rain that is out there.  No bueno.

Hopefully the rain will hold up this evening and the dogs will be ready for walks.  Although Sophie hasn’t slept much the last two nights as she paced because of the howling winds.

nutshell

My weekend in a nutshell, which I take to mean in a small package (the size of a nut.)

Friday night:
Went to Reverie to work, home depot run for paint and flooring, removed nails from lumber and loaded up carpet and trash into my truck.  Ended the night with a really sore throat and swollen glands, I am insisting it was from all of the drywall dust and not from working in close proximity to sickly people.

Saturday:
Went to Reverie, painted for six hours.  Back to home depot for 4×4 brace and a few minor things.  Painted some more, installed 4X4  door frame.   Loaded more garbage and took it to the dump.  Showered off the paint, picked up Missy and Thai food (Hot and Sour soup for throat) and went to Katherines to visit and play Scrabble.  Slept 10 hours.

Sunday:
Laundry, vacuuming, dusting and general house cleaning.  Went to Soggy Doggy with Katherine and Sophie and gave the dogs baths.  Lunch at Red Robin before dropping off Katherine at airport.  Football and lots of ironing (dogs napped.)  Grocery shopping which was more of wandering around the isle looking for savory muffin ingredients and ideas for Reverie.

Photos of said nutshell:

 

 

 

REVERIE

Reverie:  noun; daydream, a pleasant visionary usually wishful creation of the imagination.

OR

Coffee, Tea and Cafe with art consignment space; opening soon!

The space is ours; we met with Remedy Teas last week to taste some offerings and decide on which teas we will start with; measuring for lumber, paint and plumbing supplies starts tonight!

I swung by West Seattle yesterday afternoon and bought this cash register that Les found on Craigslist.