a great day to bake a cake
Good Sunday morning. The bottom left-hand corner of my laptop keeps updating the weather. It started off at 2 degrees C (35.6 F) this morning. I looked twice when I saw the message switch forecasting 10 cm (4 inches) snow on Tuesday. It is now 4 degrees C (39.2F). Even though the calendar says Spring, the weather makes you feel differently. When I sit down to write to you with my cup of coffee, I look back at the past week and think about what would be interesting to share with you. It's easy to write to you when I am on the ship because from morning until night, something is interesting and fun to share. Last year on April 6 I was on the Spruceglen. I looked back at the first week of photos in April 2024 and I had taken around 500 photos. I often take multiple photos before I capture the photo I am happy with. Lorraine (my sister, best friend and publisher often reminds me that I should delete the extra photos...I have yet to do that. I thought it was interesting that last year, I was on the Spruceglen just slightly southeast of where I am today at my home in Mont Tremblant. I was sailing through the seaway downbound on our way to Quebec City. When I am home, Lorraine and I call each other a few times throughout the day over Facetime. When the reception is good on the ship we will chat over Facetime too and a year ago today there is a screenshot of me sharing an update of the Eisenhower Lock. It's fun to think back to my time on the Spruceglen. Nice memories.
Below Montreal last year. This was taken last year and south of where I live in Mont Tremblant
April 2024 just before the new Eisenhower visitors Center opened.
Lorraine and I often Facetime. Behind me you can see the Eisenhower Lock. April 6 2024
Lowered in the Eisenhower Lock exactly a year ago today. I can’t wait to sail again.
My phone remains silent with no calls from the Union Hall. I am not worried; I know I will eventually get a call for a job/ship. I enjoy each and every day that I am home. I laughed and shared with Lorraine before continuing to write to you that I had looked at my photos from the past week and there were only two. Two? Is there something wrong with my phone? Lorraine tried to help me recall what we had done the past week. We agreed it was a quiet, low-key week. We had gone to visit our artist friend Karen, gone shopping together and had a nice lunch together. It's fun to get caught up with friends, conversation and laughter coming easily. We always meet her at her art studio, and I am always in awe of all her beautiful paintings.
I spotted this new painting at Karen’s studio. I love the colors and it screamed spring is coming. I would buy it if I had any available space on my walls. As my dad would say if we saw something special and knew we couldn’t take it with us he would say, “Take a mental picture”.
I looked at the only two photos I took in the past week. There was a recent photo of my supper last night. Beef (hamburger) Stroganoff and steamed broccoli. It was delicious. There was also a screenshot of the project I am working on. I will sometimes take screenshots to send to Lorraine, asking for her opinion. She liked this idea I was working on. When I get a little further along and closer to completion, I will share it with you and let you know when it will be available. It's a fun project to work on. Lorraine will come over to my place later to bake a cake that will be included in the new project. I also plan on making a large batch of my homemade Caesar dressing. I asked Lorraine if she would like some, and she said, "Yes, please," without hesitation. I love Caesar salad and have had a craving for it for over a week. I make my Caesar dressing using Hellman's mayo as a base to build on. As I purchased the missing ingredients to make my Caesar dressing, I was excited to find the Hellman's mayonnaise on sale. I like finding things on sale. When I make the Caesar dressing on the ship, I use what I have on hand. If I don't have Hellman’s on board, I will make my own mayonnaise. I enjoy having options when I make the Caesar dressing recipe at home; I can choose a better quality oil, freshly grated parmesan, fresh ground black pepper, fresh lemon juice, anchovy paste, Worcestershire and, of course, Hellman's Mayonnaise.
Lots of garlic and Helman’s Mayonnaise is a great start to homemade Caesar dressing.
Last night’s supper was beef stroganoff with steamed broccoli. It was delicious.
I enjoy my time at home. I am well rested and have enjoyed the extra time to get to little jobs that often get put aside when I am only home for a short time. I try to slow the days down, but they pass too quickly. When the weather is nice, we can go for a walk. I am excited to sail again and will share any updates as soon as I find out. Tomorrow, we will know if we will be able to attend the book signing at the Algonac Event with Roger from "Know Your Ships" and Andrea from Dre Designs. I will keep you posted. Enjoy the rest of your day. Hi from Lorraine. She just left. We made our new cake together, and it came out great.
Lorraine always asks me to set the timer. She’s right but sometimes I forget. I set the timer on the stove for 35 minutes. I checked on the cake and decided it needed another 10 minutes. I didn’t notice until 20 minutes later that I set the stove timer for 10 hours, not 10 minutes. Thankfully the extra cooking time added to the cake. The crispy top was a bonus.
It turned out perfect. Orange Cranberry cake
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