Bakes and Updates

This week around The Acre, we did a lot of baking. Cupcake works for several doctors, and one thing Big Man learned in his years of being the Po-Lice, you always take care of nurses and doctors, because there is a better than average chance, you will be on their gurney one night. So when Cupcake asked for an apple cake per doctor, Big Man sprung into action.

Two at a time

All four frosted, ready for delivery

All reports are in, and it appears the cakes were a huge hit. Some fights may have been caused, but reports have yet to be confirmed. We think we have a winner with this recipe.
Big Man also baked his first from scratch fruit cake this week. Both of us love fruitcake. We had an older woman who would make us one each Christmas season, but much like "Crazy Granny" she made it sound like it was an all day ordeal, hardly worth the time.
Big Man found a recipe and whipped one up in under thirty minutes. It took two hours to bake, but they really are simple in the grand scheme of things.

Fruit and flour

Fresh from the chicken butt eggs

Ready to bake

We are going to use whole fruit next time, but the flavor is right on

A couple of meal related items this week. We didn't get to make our usual big dinners because of choir concerts, Christmas parades and whatnot. One night we warmed up some of our brisket veggie soup, but we did make a load of peasant bread to go with it. Cast iron really makes the bread.

One night, Cupcake brought home dinner, and with it, a surprise for Big Man

Big Man loves him some sushi, Cupcake picked up some spicy tuna. It rocked.
For the update portion of this weeks entry, it's herbs and tomato plants. Cupcake's herb garden is still thriving, and there is nothing like fresh herbs in your meals.

We have two blooms on the tomato now

Apple tree sprout

Our lemon trees are still doing well

Fresh Tabasco peppers are a welcome treat

Oregano

Mint

Basil/Oregano mixed

Our lavender chickens have matured to the point our rooster started crowing this week. We were fixing Saturday pancakes when we heard what sounded like a 1940's car horn. We went out to investigate and found "Carl" flapping his wings and crowing. The hen let him sound off three more times, then pecked him on the head. Carl shut up and did not crow again until the next morning. It made us laugh.

We are on track for the hen to start laying eggs around Cupcake's birthday. Then our lavender chicken hatching machine springs in to action. It's our plan for next year.
One last update, the Christmas shopping is done.

Time to enjoy the holidays.
K&K