Rain...37º

The sound of falling rain lulled us to sleep, woke us up, and still raining as the sky starts to lighten at daybreak...Snow is all washed away and thankfully it is a warm rain instead of a freezing rain, but as I speak at has turned to huge snow flakes...Looks like a good day to make bread!

Yesterday morning I made the first batch of fondant for 2014 and while the fondant cooled I added cream, butter and sugar to the hot pan and and quickly made a batch of fudge...Two batches of candy and only one cleanup!

The fondant (cream, sugar, butter, boiled to a soft ball) poured onto a marble slab is almost a clear liquid...Cooled to room temperature it is stirred and stretched changing color from clear to yellowish and then to a creamy white as it sets up into a "kneadable ball, soft and creamy." I added peppermint flavor to this batch, rolled it into snake like rolls, wrapped in plastic wrap and refrigerated where it will stay until I'm ready to start dipping...Several different flavors (orange, lemon, berry, coconut, fudge etc.) will be made in days to come...Below are photos of some of the steps.

Clear liquid cooled and stirred into a "mass"

Stirred and stretched

And More

Almost there as it changes colors.

2nd batch of fudge 4# (now frozen in 1# blocks)

I made straw beds yesterday and "planted" bulbs...60 tulips, 15 white daffodils and 120 crocus...Don't know if it will work or if the bulb will freeze or the moles might enjoy a winters feast...It is worth a try and maybe saved that $4.00 that I spent with spring blooms on my mind...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Crocus

Tulips and Daffodils