November 28, 2025 Rest In Pieces

 It is with great sadness that I say good bye to my good and faithful bread machine. She worked hard in her life and finally succumbed to one last batch of roll dough in my kitchen yesterday, not even having the energy to warm during the rising phase. She had also been suffering with a loose paddle and falling gear.  She will be replaced by, what I hope will be, a worthy successor.

My birthday flowers also gasped their last breath. They were so beautiful while they lasted.

No one can say I don't get my use from my appliances. I find that I have not yet purchased a bread machine that can withstand the usage I demand. Until our oven was out of commission with the kitchen remodel, I did not bake in the machine.  All my bread is from scratch. The machine makes it so I don't have to babysit the dough as it mixes and rises. The real fun for me is working with the dough once it's ready. 

This last machine was a big one, making up to 3 pounds of dough. I don't need that capacity anymore, so I have a more compact model on its way. After two loaves of bread and 2 dozen rolls made this weekend, I'm confident we will make it until Tuesday.

I am not, nor ever been, a Black Friday shopper. There is nothing I need or want that badly. To my mind, it's easier, and probably cheaper in the long run, to buy as needed. I get the feeling that people buy more because of the price rather than an actual need.  Just my opinion, I know I'm not speaking for everyone.

Our weekend began quietly yesterday; just the two of us (and the dog). Today, on Randy's actual "day off", we've already had the doorbell ringing and a phone call.  I'm entertaining placing a sign, however rude, that says: Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine.  It's late fall in Iowa, people. It will snow. There should be no surprises there. Get your snowblower serviced BEFORE you need it, not in the middle of a storm...maybe?

I must return to the Iowa/Nebraska game.  I can't help but enjoy the fact that our Iowa defense has added the "tush push" to their goal line strategy.

Enjoy your leftovers today. ☘

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