27 March 2009

Unprecedented Output

I made a lot of stuff today! Perhaps I've finally made peace with the reality of influenza keeping us home for not just one or two days but many beyond? Or I'm just stir crazy...

In any case, I was struck with a fit of creativity and productivity! First, I decided that someone who can make their own granola can probably also make their own granola bars. Right? Sounds logical? Here's what I ended up with. They're a little hard to see with the light reflecting off the plastic I wrapped them in. And furthermore, though I'm finding it pleasing to be able to pull them out of the freezer anytime without wondering what exactly is in this snack food?! I'm still not actually sure that I love the way they taste. At the same time, I know I'll never turn my nose up at anything that contains oats and chocolate chips! Still, I think I can do better. One quibble I have with the recipe I used is, it called for cutting an 8x8 pan of bars into 24 servings?!! Um, not likely. I think I ended up with something like 18, and that felt scrimpy. Point here, does anyone have a granola bar recipe to recommend?

Next, it's not dinner or even food, but I can't resist noting that today I was bitten by a sewing bug and suddenly couldn't go another moment without fashioning some sort of garment. Maybe now that my sewing machine is back in its proper accessible position in the basement, I suddenly had to make up for the last six months, when it wasn't? Or maybe I was just challenged and inspired by my sister? At the same time, I don't have the stamina for a long project, or a body that I am planning to keep for longer than the next two weeks. So my solution was this skirt for my daughter. If you think you see me patting myself on the back, you aren't making it up!

Last but not least, I did actually make dinner in spite of making these other things. Perhaps having Aogu home to eat dinner for the first weeknight in ages had something to do with it? It's

*hayashi rice which was infinitely better this time, as I had the required thinly sliced beef on hand
*white rice
*daikon salad again...what can I say except that I really like daikon and ume (Japanese pickeled plum) together and I can't get enough lately. Must be Baby Spice's fault.

So, all this creativity is nearly enough to make me think that staying for home for days on end isn't so bad...?! Quote that back to me in a few more days and see what I say!

1 comment:

Megan said...

Jamie,
I've tried a few different granola bar recipes. We should talk! I'd like to hear what you used and what you liked/didn't like about it. Maybe I could make some for our work day and we could compare. Hmm....
Megan