The dark side~

Just practicing..but I have wanted to try those dark and moody photos..I tried this week..was home alone one afternoon..I need a better spot and more black..we have a bright home even under cloudy circumstances..of this though I am not complaining at all.Light..I need light.

I also need a hand model..hands model..Jacques is game for like 3 minutes..not enough time for me to do anything..holding up blackboards..moving chairs lol.
I also love those photos at a table..with pretty hands holding cups:)
That's a whole different story.
I just love learning things..

So this was our cream of broccoli/potato soup that I like..
On a Saturday..the 28th of January..

La Recette~

A pat of butter ..a generous one in your soup pot..melt..add 1 large chopped onion.. 2 garlic cloves(home grown;)).. also chopped...let soften..add one head of broccoli..mine was average..not a huge tree or anything...all cut up..2 large baking potatoes..peeled and chopped..salt and pepper this..add one large container of Chicken stock..or your home made one..I add my home grown chopped garlic scapes..and a few rinds of parmigiana .Save those hard rinds..it flavors soups  beautifully..
Bring to a boil.. then lower heat to simmer and cover..ap 20 minutes..until fork tender.
Take out your motorized plunger and off the stove(remove the rinds and discard) add about 1/2 cup of milk and 1/4 cup of cream..pulverize..add more liquid if you need to..this consistency works for us..TASTE..adjust salt and pepper..a bland soup will never taste like anything..
Top with more garlic scapes..or croutons..or a spiral of sour cream..I like to add a touch of grated parmigiana.

I also wanted to make a small Chocolate marbled cake..I love that pan Jonathan brought me back from Paris many many years ago..it also has a lid to make a pain de mie.
This is a fantastic loaf pan..you can tell E. Dehillerin is a cut above the rest..like Sennelier.:):)♥

This loaf is called

German Marmorkuchen..

Click on the link and you will find it.
My notes..I made half..it worked beautifully.

And be aware that you mix in the chocolate mix into the remaining batter before spooning into the vanilla base.This step seems to have been omitted..or maybe I am wrong..but that's what I did.
I also added 1 tbsp full fat sour cream.
I baked it at 350..for ap 30 mins then tented it for an an additional 20 I would say..
Do check..I don't use a knitting needle..for doneness I use a long wood skewer.

Kaffee and Kuchen~

And now..let there be light~

Do you remember Rod McKuen?
I loved him when I was in college and did a paper on him..my professor wrote that I had picked a very ..well I forget the exact term he used ..but maudlin?  Or..not deep? Not a serious writer I guess he meant..my professor ws a published writer..hmm..that might have had something to do with it..I think he loved his wriring best.
I beg to differ..when I was 17..he was deep to me..
And he still is..I have kept his books.
I had his LP's but when we moved 16 years ago..Igotridofthem.:(
You can read Caught In The Quiet here..one of my favorites..the whole book..

And fireworks that fizzle in July should not be held accountable in August~

Caught In the Quiet~ Rod McKuen.

Bon Weekend~

PS..I follow this girl and her family..her blog..if you feel inclined check out her latest post.
Everything..I love everything about her and her family..and her photos~