Keeping The Sofa Anchored

The second "Bripple" sock continues a-pace and has achieved a mighty five inches of cuff as of this afternoon. I credit this feat to a well-timed airing of a Deadliest Catch marathon and the love I have for sitting in the comfort of my home while manly types brave the elements. What can I say? I am hopelessly addicted to this show and have been glued to the screen for the better part of two days now.

I like to think that my moral support is helpful to the crab fisherman, even months after the fact. I'm certain that they know I've been sacrificing things like daylight and fresh air so that I can knit and watch them stand out in the cold. They probably would all just give up if I weren't keeping the home fires burning the way I do here. Then what would you do the next time you wanted to make a bisque?

Me 'n my sock are a vital part of the crab industry these days...

I also think I've done a fairly good job of keeping the sofa stabilized. With the combined weight of me, the sock, a cat or two and a steady supply of desserts left over from yesterday's cookout, I don't think my couch will be in any danger of floating off. I also try to keep everything arranged so as to provide ballast. Frankly, I believe I run the tightest ship in the sofa fleet.

Not to be outdone in, the Absurdly Gi-normous Kitty also worked on his anchoring skills. He moved from place to place for most of the day and did an impressive job of keeping stuff from shifting with the waves.

Sometimes he helped me keep the couch in port.

Other times he made certain that The Big Cookie Bed was secure.

He was really quite inspiring. I hope that the crabbers remember to include the AGK in their thankful thoughts and don't just credit me with making the '09 season. He may be a greenhorn, but he performed masterfully!

Some of you may also be interested in better weighing down your own furniture. Since a few people expressed an interest in the cornbread recipe I mentioned yesterday, I will share this delicious strategy for being a better anchor. Cornbread preferences seem to be one of those things that is truly regional and what people consider to be "right" will differ from place to place. Up here in the north, I find that most prefer a sweeter version. This one is sweet. Very sweet. In fact, to call it "bread" might be a bit presumptuous. It is probably more along the lines of "cake." But it is what I like and seemed to go over well with my family yesterday so make of it what you will:

SWEET CORN BREAD

(Printed from COOKS.COM)

1 c. cornmeal
2 c. flour
1 tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. sugar
3/4 c. melted butter
4 eggs, separated
1 c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
Combine egg yolks, milk, vanilla and melted butter. Stir into dry ingredients. In another bowl, beat egg whites until stiff. Fold into batter. Bake in 13 x 9 inch greased pan at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Do not overbake.

Since I was making Itty Bitty Cornbread Bites, I adjusted the cooking time to accommodate the mini muffin pan. I found that between 10 and 11 minutes was just about right. The muffins were tender and just barely golden. I think that, no matter what your sweetness preference, we can all agree that there is nothing worse than overbaked cornbread.

I hope that this is helpful to those who would bake the bread of corn. I must leave you now as the DC marathon has entered into the '09 opilio season and I think that the boys need my support if we are going to have fresh crab in the stores this year. It is a sacrifice on my part, but it must be done. I shall return to being a couch anchor and stitching on that sock. It is tireless work, but I do it for the good of the crab fleet.

Yes. I know. They already finished fishing. Leave me alone. I like my fantasy...

SA