Hey, friends. How are you doing? It hasn’t been too long since my last “Crumbs” post, but I thought maybe we could use both a little break to chat.
I’ve been busy here, and honestly I’m grateful to still be able to be so busy in the kitchen.
It’s only been possible thanks to the help of two of my sisters. At the very beginning of all the madness, my sister Jaclyn (in the blue, below) moved in and has been helping to watch Luke during the day so that I could keep testing recipes.
I wanted to quickly turn around recipes that would be useful to those of you who are having trouble finding ingredients, so her help allowed me to quickly test and publish recipes like flourless peanut butter cookies, egg noodles, crazy cake, and no-yeast bread.
My other sister, Casey (in the black, below) joined us a little bit later after quarantining herself for two weeks. She’s been helping me in the kitchen with testing recipes (and washing dishes!). It’s been great having her here to help. I’m sure it’s not as exciting as her actual job that’s currently on hold (she was working on a spinoff of The Walking Dead), but I’m glad to have her here.
I’ve been wanting (/needing) some help in the kitchen for a while, and Casey and I grew up baking together so it’s nice that I can trust her to help test my recipes. Mostly trust her, anyway. Once she made brownies out of beans and it took a long time to come back from that 😉
Both Casey and Jaclyn brought their puppies, so we have a full house here, but it’s honestly been fun and it’s so nice to have the help. Without them I don’t know that Zach or I would’ve been able to get anything blog-related done.
Other than that, not too much is new around here, except that we got bees!
This is Zach’s new project, he took classes over the winter in preparation and is now the proud parent of two beehives. Keep your fingers crossed for us that we can keep them alive through the winter (and that we’ll have plenty of honey next year!).
Now that the weather has been warming up we’ve been able to get outside a lot more often and I am so grateful for that. The dogs love the walks, it gives me a nice mental break, and Luke absolutely loves to be outside (even if he’s just being carried the whole time).
This kid is just a complete and total delight. He’s 5 months old now and his second (!) tooth just started poking through a few days ago. In addition to walking, he loves testing out his voice by shrieking, and loves bouncing in his jumper. And he’s so, so funny. I didn’t know a 5 month old could have such a good sense of humor! He keeps us laughing, for sure.
Around the Web
Here are some fun things I’ve found recently that I think you might find interesting.
- Stuck at home and bored? Animal lover? Have you considered being a pet foster parent? Obviously this isn’t for everyone, and it can be a lot of work, but before we had Luke, Zach and I fostered over 13 dogs/puppies and it was one of the best, most rewarding experiences ever. We look forward to getting back to fostering when life settles down a little bit.
- Everyone is baking banana bread. Are you? (I have a killer banana bread recipe if you’re looking for one). What’s been your favorite comfort food bake during these times?
- My new favorite dinner: Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Tacos from Pinch of Yum. We’ve been in a dinner rut recently so these were a simple and so tasty change.
- Candles! For some reason having candles lit in the house truly drops my stress level a few notches (having fresh flowers helps, too). These candles from Milk Reclamation Barn are my current favorite and how cute are the little milk bottles that they’re made in? My sister introduced me to these and I love that they’re a small (and local-to-me) business. Front Porch Lemonade is my favorite, but I’m yet to meet a scent I don’t like. Hint: great Mother’s Day gift idea!
None of these are affiliate links, I just wanted to share.
Alright, thanks for joining me for a chat this morning. This morning is warm and slightly sunny right now but threatening rain, so Zach, Luke and I are going to try to sneak in a walk before the thunderstorms start. Stay safe! <3
Beverly Garvin
I seriously can’t bake ! But I’m willing to try with your easy , yummy looking recipes ! I enjoy your site.
I actually made whipped cream this morning from your Homemade Whipping Cream recipe … ya-da … it worked for me !!! Thank you ever so much !
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Beverly! I am glad that you have enjoyed my site and happy to hear that your whipped cream turned out so well. 🙂
Donna
My daughter-in-law is a nurse in the TICU and working long hours during the C-19 Pandemic. Her daughter, Felicity who is 4 going on 40 loves to bake, and bakes under the name “Sarah”, don’t ask me why. We spent the last few weekends baking away for her mommy and co-workers. I’m looking forward to using your home-made recipes instead of the box mixes and learning with “Sarah” how to bake like a pro. I printed your muffin and cookie recipes for the next round of baking. Your family is beautiful and your website is warm and inviting. Happy Mother’s Day!!
Sam
Thank you for your sweet comment, Donna! And a big thank you to your daughter-in-law for the work she is doing! I love that you are baking so much with “Sarah” (so cute!) what sweet memories you are building together <3
AJ
Hi – your blog is amazing. I tried your brown butter toffee cookies and everyone I delivered them to is raving. I bought chocolate chips today after I spent enough time gawking at your “worst” chocolate chip cookies recipe – and then I figured, if-not-now-when.
I am in need of a good recipe that will use up considerable strawberry and raspberry jam. I have 2 containers of jam that are leftover from a pre-pandemic work event. I tried to make cookies, they turned out kind of doughy and sticky but tasted good. I don’t want the work (or butter overload) of thumbprint shortbread cookies. I might try muffins, but if I’m left to my own devices they will probably end up like the cookies did, doughy and sticky. Thanks in advance for any ideas!
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much for trying my recipes, AJ! I am so glad that everyone enjoyed them. Thumbprint cookies are the first thing that came to mind for your jams as this recipe has been such a fan favorite for those who have tried it. You could make danishes using my cheese danish recipe, homemade pop tarts, Strawberry crumb bars (haven’t tried it but should be work), or homemade biscuits. I hope that gives you some ideas. 🙂
Barb
I’ve made so much banana bread! Thanks for giving me a new recipe to try. Luke is adorable! Thanks for bringing some much needed sunshine to our day.
Sam
You’re very welcome! Thank you so much for commenting, Barb! <3
Elle
Aw, happiest post ever!! Your son is absolutely adorable!! 🙂 And you are so lucky to have such an amazing family! Thank you for the smiles and sunshine today! We are baking tons of your recipes here. I’m going to make your pineapple upside down cake for my little third graders ‘graduation’ coming up. She made a ton of the bars you suggested in another post and has been sharing her ‘grand successes’ with her class online. Super adorable- you have a very small fan (and me!). Hope your May is wonderful and can’t wait to keep following!
Sam
Thank you so much, Elle! 🙂 This comment really made me smile. 🙂 I really appreciate it. Happy baking and I look forward to hearing from you soon. 🙂
Catherine
Good God, that baby is adorable!
Sam
Thank you so much, Catherine! We love this little life so much. 🙂
Gloria
Thank you for sharing Milk Reclamation Barn, bought some candles for Mother’s gift, I didn’t know what get my daughter-in-laws, crossing my fingers they arrive before Mother’s day.
Sam
You’re welcome! I hope she LOVES them as much as I do and I hope they ship quickly. Mine always do, but I live very close to where they are made. Thanks for reading, Gloria! 🙂
Priscilla
Hello everyone,
I have been busy baking during this quarantine. I retired April 17 after 30 years with the County of Napa. Retirement is wonderful! This gives me even more time to bake and garden. I have used many of your recipes. Lemon crumble bars were amazing; the lemon flavor was like a smooth chiffon. I also made lava cakes that my brother loved so much that he ended up having to baby his stomach but he wanted more! Next I plan to make bread once stores start carrying bread flour again or even regular flour!
Your baby is getting so big and he is adorable and precious.
Stay well and happy everyone!
Priscilla
Maria
I’ve been baking a ton of stuff on your website (I’m making the pineapple upside-down cake this week!), though I’ve been borrowing from other sites for bread recipes (made pretzel rolls a few day ago and they were DElicious). Outside of baking like every day, I’ve been rewatching Mad Men…it’s on Netflix, totally recommend if you have the time!
Naomi
What a fun article! It’s refreshing to hear positive everyday things that others are doing. Like being able to stand next to you and chat, which of course we can’t do (MN is a long ways from PA…plus the whole virus thing…haha). Thanks for the update on your family and the fun links. Stay healthy and enjoy spring! 🙂
Florenia Takahara
Hi Sam,
Great to hear you are all fine and safe. Luke is growing fast. What a lovely blessing.😘
I envy you having two lovely sisters who are so helpful💐 you are very lucky. I never had one.
I haven’t bake for a while but I’ll try your new crumbs recipe and will again bake choco cupcakes. My son loves it and it’s easy for him to tuck it in his small tupper. That’s his dessert for lunch.
Thanks for the chat. Keep safe everyone.
Hugs and kisses for Luke💕
Sharon Schroeter
Thanks for keeping us up to date with all your adventures. How wonderful that Casey and Jaclyn can be with you. I’m sure Luke loves the puppies & all the extra attention 😉
Stay well!
Love & prayers,
Sharon
CAROL MILLETT
Beautiful blossom photos, absolutely BEAUTIFUL!
Carrie
I just made 2 strawberry rhubarb pies using your recipe for pie crust. I haven’t been able to make pie crust before and these turned out great!! It took no time at all and my poor husband didn’t hear any screams from the kitchen 😁
Thanks Sam for a great recipe!
Jessica
I’ve been enjoying making all the sweets from your site during quarantine! Also Joanna Gaines’ cinnamon nut bread and blueberry bread. Your baby is precious! Mine is just a month older. No teeth yet but he loves to taste everything!