Currently // September 2016…
// So thrilled that the weather is cooling down. I’m going to be unpopular when I say this, but I just don’t love summer. I am such a baby about the heat! Give me winter or fall any day. And, as a teacher that is constantly on the move, crammed in a classroom with active kids, it’s a relief to be able to open the window and actually get some air. Hungarian schools don’t tend to have much air con…
// The leaves are starting to change! Hallelujah.
// E and I are celebrating our one year anniversary next week! It’s hard to believe it’s been that long since our fabulous wedding. I won’t say that time has flown, though–this year has felt longer than the rest of our relationship put together! Not because I hate being married (quite the opposite) but because it’s been a year full of a lot of changes.
(photo by Hannah Traver Photography)
// I also can’t believe that last week we were at Oktoberfest. It was such a whirlwind trip it almost feels like a dream. Drinking a lot of beer and forgetting to eat will do that to you.
// I’ve completed my third week of school! I hesitate to say anything since it was kind of a hectic week–I kept losing things and forgetting random items in various classrooms–but so far, so good.
// I upgraded my phone last year to one with bigger space, mostly so I could stop panic-deleting pictures at important moments. Now that I’m spoiled for space, I actually have apps on my phone. Some of my favorites are Stylebook–has made getting dressed so much easier and fun!, Skyscanner, Rome2Rio, Nook, and most recently, I finally got on the Boomerang train! Any apps I must try??
// This week is Week Four of the Bake-Off Bake Along! It was a batter week–a whole new thing for the Bake Off–and the choices were Yorkshire puddings, lacy pancakes, or churros. I chose Yorkshire puddings! I didn’t choose churros because I don’t have a deep fryer, not to mention I’m still having piping nightmares after my Viennese whirls. Lacy pancakes were out because although they’re pretty, them seem ridiculous to eat. Where’s the rest of the pancake?!?
// I should disclose that I have never eaten, much less seen, a Yorkshire pudding before, so I was going in blind here. A little Internet sleuthing, though, and I deduced that they didn’t seem too hard. However…mine were, well, not a success. I used this recipe (which calls them “popovers” but further research assured me they’re the same thing…or maybe I broke all the rules and didn’t even follow the prompt??). I’m not sure I would go as far to call them a failure, per say, but would I make them again?
…No. They were such a strange texture, definitely not “pillowy” as described…but E liked them and after I let them cool for a while, I could actually eat one as well. Which, by the way, is exactly the opposite of what the recipe says.
I did get to use my cute new muffin tin, though. #brightside
// Next week is pastry week! Now we’re really getting out of my comfort zone…I’m scared. Can we just have another bread week again??
You won’t be unpopular with me, I really don’t like summer either because of the heat. Especially Texas summers. Ugh. Fall has always been my favourite season and sometimes I now long for the days when I could take a walk in the woods picking up pretty leaves that had attracted my attention in the cool, crisp air. And then come home to something made with apples. Mmmm… I think I’ve drifted off to daydream land here.
I think your Yorkshire puddings look great! I’ve had a box of mix (I know I should make them from scratch) sitting in my pantry so long it’s probably gone off by now. You’re inspiring me to dig it out and give them a try. Hope pastry week goes well. Can’t wait to see what you come up with.
Oooh pastry week was not so fun haha. But botanical week was a success!! Do you have nice falls in Texas?
The yorkies look delish! I have to ask – what phone have you upgraded from/to. I have an iPhone 5 with the smaller memory and I am SO excited to get myself a new phone in the new year but I don’t know what – the iPhone 6 is so flimsy and so many people I know break theirs, where my iPhone 5 is almost 2 years old and looks very well.
I have a refurbished iPhone 5S! I couldn’t afford a 6 and I agree, they’re huge. They did come out with a 6 that is the same size as a 5 though, if you want a 6 but don’t want a giant one 🙂
happy anniversary next week:) I don’t have problems with loading your site anymore:)
Thank you! So glad to hear that, thanks for keeping me informed 🙂
I felt the same way at this point of the challenge! 😉 I have made pop-overs before too – I think the main difference is that Yorkshires have a hole and pop-overs don’t? I’m pretty sure the batter is basically the same.
And yesss Oktoberfest is no joke! I forgot to eat too when I went, but you don’t notice after all the beer! So many crazy stories – I think I could maybe go 20 yrs before the need for another one, haha. Glad you had an unforgettable time!
I think you’re totally right about the pop-over Yorkshire pudding difference. Basically the batter for Yorkshire puddings is nearly identical to that of crepes/thin pancakes too x
Oh you’re right! I never even noticed that. Interesting! I think I should have made the lacey pancakes…probably would have tasted better than these weird pop-overs 😉
I definitely didn’t miss food but I DEFINITELY should have had some (and some water, ahem) to soak up those giant beers ;). I’m so glad I went and I’m not sure I’ll ever go again, haha!
Congrats on a year! And I mean good job on the yorkshire pudding – they look more like mini quiches, but if they were delicious, that’s all that matter 🙂
Yeah they did NOT work…and they weren’t that delicious lol. But E liked them, so that’s something! 🙂