Boys & baking (though not actually together *g*)

[bluespirit]

celtprincess13 managed to hook me up with the shirtless!Sam gifs that I wanted needed! \o/
So, I've added them to my sidebar & like to think that these three tell a little story... ;)

Sam's working out & sees Dean watching him...


Sam's all 'like what you see? Strip!'


Dean doesn't have to be told twice!


*g*

I've had some lovely responses to my 1920's AU McShep art, 'World, far away', &, as I'd mentioned that I felt it could easily be viewed as Lord John & Rodney from my Big Bang story 'Time & Tide', it's been lovely to have a few comments to that, too!
I love the idea that people are coming new to something that I wrote quite a while ago. :)

In completely different news, with the installation of a new window blind our kitchen renovation is finally complete! \o/
It's a whole new kitchen (everything was ripped out) & I absolutely love it!  (I'll take some pics to share when I get a second.)  It's a fairly small area (no room for seating but it does lead into the dining room through an open doorway, so that's not a problem) but the new layout has given me so much more storage space!  I actually have empty shelves! LOL  Although, I've rediscovered my love for baking (after a break of over 15 years) & so I doubt they'll stay empty for long with all the supplies I'm buying. *g*

I'm finding the baking very therapeutic for my depression, funnily enough.
I'm concentrating on fairly straightforward stuff like muffins for now, but I'm loving baking them from scratch, & the measuring, sifting & mixing is weirdly soothing. :)

My lovely xanthe  gave me her recipe for the gorgeous pear & ginger muffins that I always love (& scoff!) when I stay with her, & I'm really pleased at how they've turned out. (Although the first batch was a bit iffy.  Turned out my oven wasn't quite at the temp it said it was - thank goodness for an oven thermometer!)
I'm also planning to try out some raspberry & lemon muffins, & some carrot & pineapple wholemeal muffins.  The recipes sound very scrumptious.
If anyone has any favourite muffin recipes - please do share! :)

Happy Thursday, all!
*hugs*

Gif credits in my profile. :)

Comments

[kensieg.livejournal.com]

I like to bake but from a mix. I also bake bread from a mix and in a machine but according to my husband it comes out well.

Are you in the UK?

Who's the dancing red-headed woman on your sidebar?

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

There are some excellent mixes available. I just enjoy baking from scratch - there's something quite soothing about all the measuring, etc & getting to see (& taste! *g*) the final result. :)

Yes, I'm in the UK.

That's Felicia Day playing the role of Charlie in Supernatural. (She's awesome!)

[jackieville.livejournal.com]

Yay for the new kitchen and baking!!!!! *smooshes and loves*

*cuddles and kisses sweet Buddy* I think we need some pictures of him! *whispers*

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

I'm sure that can be arranged. *g*
*hugs*

[hilde.livejournal.com]

ooooooooo, muffins :) I can't look at a muffin without thinking of John and Rodney:) There are so many fics where muffins are involved in some way or another. We should have a muffin fic rec list! LOL

I'm afraid I don't have a proper recipe, but my favorite muffins are made with bananas and dark chocolate chips :) Yum!

May there be plenty of chocolatey goodness in your future! And a morsel or two for Buddy (if it's good for him...)

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

LOL I hadn't even thought of that! (Maybe I should try & bake 'Athosian Sweet Berry' muffins? *g*)

Mmmm, I love chocolate (though I'm more of a milk choc kind of girl. *g*) Funnily enough, I don't mind eating a banana as it is, but I don't enjoy bananas in other stuff. Weird, I know!

Well, Bud doesn't get any people food but he does get the left over pear skins which he loves. :)

[hilde.livejournal.com]

OH, you should! We'll have those with some rus wine :)

I don't normally like banana in stuff, but I do love them in two things. The muffins, and a pork, cream, banana curry thing. Probably sounds vile, but it's so good...LOL

I'm usually a milk chocolate girl too, but I do love dark chocolate in muffins and cakes :)

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

And tormack? LOL

You're right. I think some tastes just really work in combination. Like raspberry & dark choc (one of the few times I do like dark choc! *g*)

[timespirt.livejournal.com]

Ooh, chocolate covered frozen bananas! Yum.

[pavaneofstars.livejournal.com]

Yay Kitchen-Re-Do! \o/ Can't wait to see what it looks like. My sister made a batch of muffins from this recipe at New Year's Brunch a few years ago and it is my favorite!

http://www.simplebites.net/how-to-make-the-best-muffins/

It offers a variety of flavor combinations. My favorite is dried strawberry/cranberry and chocolate chip. I use a little butter and a cup of apple sauce. It requires more baking time with this substitution but is very yummee. :D

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Oooh! I love cranberries (& I see the recipe mentions raspberries, too - another fave of mine.) This really does sound yummy! Thanks for the link. I'm definitely going to give these a try. :)

I'll be posting some kitchen pics asap!

[timespirt.livejournal.com]

Lord John & Rodney

Always my favorite!

I love muffins.

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

LOL Lord John, Rodney & muffins - sounds delicious! :)

[timespirt.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, Lord John baking Orange-Cranberry muffins for Rodney. I can see that.

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Mmmm.... cranberry & orange. Yum!

[timespirt.livejournal.com]

So, where are the pics of the new kitchen?

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Just doing the post now! :)

[xanthe.livejournal.com]

WOOT! Muffins! LOL! The oven thermometer seems to have sorted everything out. All ovens are a bit different I think, so now you've fathomed what's going on with yours I suspect Mr B will be coming home to delicious home baked goodies a LOT *g*.

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Yes, I think the new (fabulous!) digital scales helped as well. (My old ones were probably all over the place.)

Mr B is loving all the baking & seems disappointed when he comes home & I haven't done any! But we do need to eat the ones I've already made! (I've bought this cool little individual muffin-sized snap-lid container so he can take one to work each day, too. LOL)

[xanthe.livejournal.com]

Oh bless! I can just imagine the individual muffin container! LOL! And I bet he's happy with all the baking going on! My dad is always nagging my mum about making cakes. It must be nice to come home to the smell of it wafting through the house too. Yum!

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Hee - I bought a blue one (to try & make it slightly more manly. *g*)

I think Mr B is definitely enjoying it. I baked P&G muffins plus some lemon & raspberry yesterday afternoon, & so the house did smell rather fab when he got home. :)

[foxrafer.livejournal.com]

Yay for the kitchen remodel being completed! I know it's been a long time and I'm so glad you're happy with it.

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

I love it, thank you! \o/

[celtprincess13.livejournal.com]

Glad I could help you out, sweetie!

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

I'm so grateful! :)