The first day of winter is a coming

SUNFLOWER DOOR KNOCKER
Kugenhoph Pan
Baked Kugenhoph
Close up of Kugenhoph
Emily loves the dog
Well the ice in New Jersey is finally beginning to melt! Good thing because it's not easy walking around here! Our sidewalks and driveway are a sheet of ice! Even walking to put the garbage out is a drag with the slipping and sliding.

Years ago my mother gave me this baking pan called a kugenhoph. It's to make this special sweet bread. I never used the pan before, but the other day after buying my new favorite cookbook I saw the recipe and decided to try it. Well, my bread never really rose properly. I'm not sure what the problem was. I think maybe I got the milk too heated which might have killed the yeast? Not too sure, but since I bothered to make the recipe -- I decided I'd bake the bake anyway. And low and behold, it tastes fine. I don't think it's the right height or anything but well ate least it tastes good. I'm definitely going to try making it again and perfecting this recipe.

I'm also posting my front door knocker which is a sunflower. Many years ago I fell in love with sunflowers and used to plant an entire garden of them. Then for some reason the deer found my garden and I could never grow another sunflower after that. This sunflower door knocker is a real beauty.

Lastly, since Emily has been home, she can't take her hands off the dog. He is so loving all the attention! We love our Gordie! He's such a fun dog.

Hope you are doing great business out there in retail land and remember to come see us in NYC or at any of the local trade shows we are attending (New York, Charlotte, Chicago, and Dallas)

Best,
Jane