A last batch of gingerbread for the year

Seattle, Washington

As the clock ticked down toward the end of the year,  there was just time for one last batch of gingerbread. 2023, here we come!

Greek Bread baking frenzy

Seattle, Washington

Yes, it's that time of the year again--when I find sesame seeds all over the house for about two weeks. That is, it's Greek Bread time! I made four batches, we ate a lot of it, and I gave out a bunch of loaves to the neighbors. The family tradition of baking Greek (Easter) Bread for Christmas continues! (But minus the red egg...)

Bunny cake (again)

Seattle, Washington

AT LAST, I have finally re-created the bunny cake that my grandmother used to make for Easter when we were kids. True, I have made this cake before but THIS time I finally got ahold of some coconut for the "fur," and now my mission is complete. Until next year, of course!

Office cookie swap

Seattle, Washington

Well, the holiday party has not QUITE returned, but at least we get to do a Cookie exchange. No sampling allowed ('til you're out of the building). But still, I am grateful!

Thanksgiving rolls around again

Lopez Island, Washington

COVID's not gone yet (see current events in Europe) but it was wonderful that we felt safe enough to gather once again on Lopez for Thanksgiving. A relatively small group of 12 felt just right. Everyone contributed something to the effort, and it was a lovely time.

Thanks again, all!

JIT Christmas baking

Seattle, Washington

Got started really late on the Christmas baking: Christmas Day, in fact. But at least I had time and energy to deliver Christmas breads to our neighbors on the day-of. Some traditions survive!

Christmas Eve happiness

Seattle, Washington

And then, despite it ALL, my godmother arrived on our doorstep with my FAVORITE gingerbread cookies. Thank you, S!

Gingerbread 2020

Seattle, Washington

Well, there's not MUCH room for Christmas gatherings this year, but at least we did our annual gingerbread. A decided to go for a 2-dimensional (Rusheen!) gingerbread house this year which, in a way, is a perfect metaphor for this year: 2-dimensional. 

(Did I mention we love red hots around here?)

Lussekatter (but I call them Luciakatter)

Seattle, Washington

Tried my hand (again) at lussekatter today. St. Lucia arrives again, and boy, is it dark out there...

This bowl, this spoon

Seattle, Washington

This morning as I began baking, I found myself thinking about being in Mongolia in the fall of 2009. Eleven years ago we were well into that first really hard winter. I brought very few cooking utensils with us to Mongolia, but this bowl and this spoon made the cut. They served us for three years in Mongolia and two years in Jordan and now another six years in Seattle. And it's still the only mixing bowl and wooden spoon I use.

People who know me well know that I am a true minimalist--but with a real sentimental side for stuff that one accumulates in life like letters, photos, and other memorabilia. So there's the irony: one bowl and one spoon--and boxes of memories.

The baking turned out well, though: calzones for the family (minus me) skiing trip to Crystal Mountain!

Pi Day 2020

Seattle, Washington

COVID-19 has arrived, and it's time to spend more time at home. Even if we can't share them, we decided we'd better carry on with our annual Pi Day baking tradition--and get ready for St. Patrick's Day, too.

Green foods

Seattle, Washington

As part of a long-standing tradition, I set out this morning to make some kind of "green food" for St. Patrick's Day. This year it turned out to be cinnamon rolls: green on the inside and on the outside!

Christmas cookies

Seattle, Washington
Tuesday, December 18, 2018

This year it was time for some new Christmas traditions: friends invited us to their house, and we spent the afternoon baking Christmas cookies together. We each got to see new recipes and methods. Moms talked; girls played.

Two moms and three girls = WAY more fun than one mom and one girl. Danke, K!

Gingerbread laptop

Seattle, Washington
Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Last year we took a break from gingerbread creations for some reason. I fear it's too long ago to remember why. But this year, we are back!

A's inspiration for this year: a gingerbread computer. We considered the desktop "box" model, but in the end went with a laptop version. Typing lessons never looked so good.

And ones and zeros for guests...

Birthday salad and birthday cake

Seattle, Washington
Sunday, May 28, 2017

I celebrated my birthday this weekend with good friends. And birthday salad and birthday cake.

I don't think I need anything else.

Easter baking

Seattle, Washington
Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Get out the sprinkles! Easter is almost here...

Pi Day rolls around again

Seattle, Washington
Tuesday, March 14, 2017

You'd think that the novelty of celebrating Pi Day would wear off at some point, but for me that doesn't seem to be the case. Today, I shared the joy of pi with colleagues, friends, and anyone else who happened by.

Before long, all that was left in the cookie tin was the square root of 2...

The gingerbread ger

Seattle, Washington
Sunday, December 11, 2016

After much rumination, we decided that this year's gingerbread house would be a ger--or yurt--the traditional Mongolian dwelling with which we are now so familiar. This construction of this house proved to be a particular challenge, but with geometry and part of Quaker Oats container on our side, we prevailed at last.

Final touches included a fence and an outhouse...

An afternoon with Grandma

Seattle, Washington
Saturday, October 29, 2016

A spent the afternoon baking Halloween cookies with Grandma. Amazingly, all the favorite cookie cutters from my childhood were still there--and Grandma (unlike me) makes as many different colors of frosting as you want...

Pi Day 2016!

Seattle, Washington

Monday, March 14, 2016

This year I decided to "marry" the two great traditions of Pi Day and St. Patrick's Day--and here they are!