Home Sweet Home

Self-isolation is no news to me, but it will be to lots of people these days. I've never minded my own company and have found many ways to occupy it. I am not perfect nor a perfectionist so we get along  together just fine.Today for example, I bake. I do it from scratch not only because it's cheaper, it's also healthier and, best of all, more fun. Get the kids involved if you don't mind taking the time and patience. Sometimes kids doing their baking solo can be a horrid mess some think is darling, but it's not cute for the person cleaning up after. Kids are very smart and the best of learners, therefore, and they can learn to do their cooking in a tidy way just as adults do. There is no reason for batter to be all over the walls and floors. That is not cute, and I feel it's an insult to kids to allow it. A clean kitchen is the first lesson and it begins with prepping. Get out your recipe, the tools and ingredients first. You don't need the darling little bowls you see on the screen, filled with exact amounts. That's done for TV filming speed only. Bags of flour and other containers are easier set on the counter or table and can be just as easily removed later. Of course there is accidental spillage by anyone and it's excusable and maybe part of the fun. I use mixers simply due to age, but they aren't necessary for a good product and some folks just love getting in there with an arm work-out while kneading bread or stirring up a bowl of cookie dough. Clean hands, hair hidden, and lots of washing if eggs or meat is involved. Bread making is creative and I like multi grain flours, but fruit, nuts, cheese and herbs make for unique loaves or rounds. I don't bother with tins for bread personally, but like to form simple rounds because I am somewhat lazy. Furthermore I like the way a small bun or large loaf just looks traditional thus appealing. Round bread bowls for chili and stews are useful, and what you scoop out makes for a lovely balsamic and olive oil bread dipping piece. Then there is pie dough. Again, tossing in the measured products and whizzing them in a mixer for a wee bit, gets you quickly to the little patties or cups or fold-overs you hope to see baking in the oven window. The scent of cooking especially if it involves herbs and spices, waft through your home making it home. When you have a lump of pie dough, you can make fold-overs stuffed with small amounts of just about anything you love. Even parts of your favorite chocolate bar or spaghetti sauce or cheese or jam. You are the baker and even if you have some disasters, it's worth the journey. You are learning with each and every mistake, and what else is life all about but learning? When the baking is done and you have enjoyed and laughed over the experience or bragged to your pals on the phone or computer about your latest efforts, you can plop down on the couch with your fellow indoor "cellmates" and get out the old board games or dice or cards and become a family again. Or perhaps you will simply re-introduce yourself to yourself. No need to be lonely. You have you! Solitaire has many faces and there are loads of online free games.