Nothing In Particular

Last night Gene and I attended the Lakewood Golf Course annual Christmas Party. Every year at this time they have a low country boil and barbecue. Attendees are asked to bring a side dish or dessert. For the first time in years I didn't have to prepare anything special. I had chocolate peanut crock pot candy, vanilla spritz cookies, chocolate wreath cookies, and half a pound cake. I sliced the pound cake in to slices (it looked ugly but tasted fine) and put the cookies and candy on a plate and away I went. Fun! I'm going to be busy today, but plan to bake and replenish my supply of Christmas foods on Thursday afternoon.

I had an exciting experience yesterday while riding in the car. When I'm out driving around I listen to Martha Stewart radio on XM. In the afternoon a guy named Mario Vosquez (sic) hosts a show and has guests who are chefs or writers of cookbooks on a wide range of different topics. Yesterday his guest was the author of a cookbook about baking bundt cakes. As I have discussed here, I have had a problem with my bundt cake sticking. I called the Martha Stewart number ( I have it on my car phone speed dial) and got through. The person who answered the phone took my name, my location, and asked me what my question for the guest would be. After being on hold for a minute or two, Mario, the show host, said; "And now we have
Dianne from Alabama who has a question for our guest". I explained that when I use a stone (Pampered Chef) bundt pan, the cake has a wonderful, soft crust, but the crust remains stuck the pan when I take cake out, and asked what the cause could be. She advised that if I prepare the pan as directed (greasing and flouring) the problem in probably the pan, and advised me to to just back to an aluminum pan. I must add that my sister, Jane has given me just the same advice a few weeks ago. Jane, I think that qualifies you to write a book on get on a radio baking advice show, don't you??? When Martha Stewart Living Radio calls to invite you to come to NYC to be on the show, just let me know if you'd like a travelling companion.

Today I'm going to Mathews to be photographed. You know it's a tradition to hang pictures of old, retired, principals, and now I guess it's my turn. I hope the photographer can air brush! Then going to a luncheon with the Mah Jongg Mavens. AND it's not raining!

Have a great day everybody!