Three things for Sunday

[nwhiker]

1. Rowing banquet last night in B'ham. It wasn't horrid at those things go. Saw several other parents who were on the TN trip and they all took the time to tell us how absolutely wonderful Perry was, and how much they'd enjoyed talking to him etc. That was so awesome to hear. I mean, I think he's a great kid, but it's always so nice when others notice too.

2. It's been... rough having my mom here. At first, she was sleeping a bit more, now she's up by 10am (or earlier) and I have to nag her to get to bed by 11 or 11:30. Since dh and I get up at 6am, we've been wiped! What we've been doing for walking is that the alarm goes off at 6am, and I basically go pee, brush my teeth, and throw on clothes. I'm at the trailhead by 6:20, back usually by 7:20 and that gives dh time to go on his walk, he's slower than I am in the morning. So it's been working, though I miss our morning walks together. But my mom did like the time she spent at the Senior Center so when we get back from Bend, hopefully that'll be a twice a week routine. It's in the middle of the day, so it doesn't solve our morning walk issue, but hopefully it'll tire her out enough to get her to go to bed a bit earlier. I really need the bit of evening downtime, I think dh does too, this is just emotionally exhausting for both of us. Also, even though she annoys me at time, my MIL is awesome good people.

3. I made a cake today and I'm bitterly disappointed in it: John Kanell's Butter Cake. It looks gorgeous. It tastes sweet and flat. Why, you ask? Because unsalted butter, which he says to use, is of the devil. I added all the salt called for, plus a bit more and it just was not enough. So it's overly sweet and not very interesting. If I make it again -and I might, because form factor and crumb are great- I'll use salted butter and add the salt.

4. OK, fine, four things! We're headed to Bend tomorrow for a few days, the idea was to get my mom assessed at the Memory Care place. Not sure it's a good idea, but eh, hopefully we'll talk more tomorrow evening. I think my mom is still too aware of us and our relationships to make this a good transition, but I also don't think she could quite manage with just assisted living, she needs more "prompting" and reminders. But anyhow. Since sister is in the middle of a remodel, dh and I got a campground nearby. We'll probably spend most of the day at my sister's, but we'll get to sleep in a tent. Since, what with my mom, that's probably not going to happen again any time soon, I'm SO looking forward this!

Comments

[camelsamba]

I totally agree with you on the unsalted butter! I went through a very short phase where I decided to use unsalted butter if the recipe specified it, and quickly abandoned that. I had some shortbread someone else made with unsalted butter, and it was so bleh. Not even too sweet, just flat.

[nwhiker]

I am so glad I'm not alone on this! That said. There is ONE thing where unsalted butter is a must, something I found out by, um, not using it: in lemon curd. Salted butter is just waaay too salty in that one recipe.

[camelsamba]

last week i made the double strawberry shortcakes from NYTimes, and decided that yeah, that might have benefitted from UNsalted butter. And if I ever make lemon curd, I hope to remember your advice :^)