Light, Love, Hope

I have been in what you might call a “rut” for close to fifteen years. When most people say they are in a “rut” it is usually not a good thing. My “rut” was a good thing. It was something that made my day start off with a little piece of heaven. But Tuesday morning it all came to an unexpected end.

Each morning on my way to work at 6am, I would stop at a little local shop here called “The Bagel Place.” I loved the Bagel Place. They had a bagel called the “Seedy Stick.” They were so good. I loved getting a couple of sticks in the morning. It was one of those things that would just seem to make the day start out on a good note. Alice Anderson opened the Bagel Place 34 years ago. I started my “morning routine” in 2000 as the Bagel Place was on my way to work. Stopping in every day, I got to know Alice quite well. Since I was a good customer, Alice treated me many times over the years to little special things like mini banana bread and other wonderful creations she made. Alice retired and sold the business not long ago. The new owner kept to the way Alice ran her business. Even though she was gone, it was still like she was there. The bagels were still as yummy as before.

As I pulled up Tuesday morning, to get my bagels I noticed something strange. The shop was dark. As I walked to the door I saw the sign posted. In brief it said due to unexpected circumstances after 34 years the Bagel Place was closed. It was quite the shock as I had been in there Monday morning. I began to wonder if the other early morning regulars knew yet as I got there a few minutes before six that morning. There were four of us that were there every morning. Though we never got to know each other more than in passing, it felt like we had a camaraderie as the “early morning group.”

Unexpected change it never easy. Yet it is a part of life that happens often. It’s not something we can plan for, we just have to accept it and make the best of the situation. I will miss the Bagel Place. It will always hold as a fond memory in my heart.

~The Quiet Computer Guy

This past week I really haven’t had anything truly annoying happen to write about. It has been a great week! So let’s get on to this week’s RAK.

This week I would like to talk about something I do occasionally for people. I usually listen quite well so I pick up on the little things people mention that they like. Using this knowledge I will put together a little care package for them. This could be a small assortment of their favorite candies or just little tchotchkes ( I have always wanted to use that word in something ). What I like doing most is doing a little creative baking. I like to experiment a bit while in the kitchen. One thing that has stuck in my head from my childhood is my grandmother always saying something like this; “never give store bought goodies. Always make them yourself.” I realize some people are not comfortable with making things from scratch and using a microwave is easier, but I find doing a bit of baking fun and relaxing. Lately, I have been having fun making brownies with different treats inside. Here is the base recipe from Better Homes and Gardens, it takes about 10 minutes to make and 30 to 35 minutes to bake:

½ cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
2 1-ounce squares, unsweetened chocolate, melted
½ cup sifted all-purpose flour
½ chopped walnuts

Take out butter at least an hour before mixing to let it get to room temperature. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cream butter, sugar and vanilla. Add eggs; beat well. Blend in chocolate, then stir in flour and nuts. Bake in greased 8x8x2 inch pan at 325 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes.

Now here is where I experiment. I don’t like nuts so I have made this recipe without nuts many times. Some of the things I have used instead are; 3/4 cup caramel chips or 3/4 cup peanut butter chips or 3/4 cup dark raspberry chips.

Here are some other things I have tried that turned out awesome. After pouring the batter into the pan push in Hershey’s Kisses or any other kind of candy you may like before baking. I have used a variety of Hershey kiss flavors, Rolos, and Ghirardelli chocolate squares in different flavors. My next experiment is to try mixing in M&M mint or M&M peanut butter candy.

Once the brownies have cooled you can frost them if you like. Sorry, but I like my brownies without frosting so I don’t have a frosting recipe to share.

Enjoy.

~The Quiet Computer Guy