I’m doing really well on my “23 for 2023” list. Number five on the list was “Baking Lesson with Howard and Beth”, which was a bit cryptic, I know. So now I’ll tell you all about it because it happened today!
My friend Beth introduced me to The Great British Baking Show (or The Great British Bake-Off, as it’s known in the UK). I’m generally not one for reality or competition shows, but Beth’s enthusiasm for the series (“Everyone is so nice!”) won me over, and I’ve watched a few of the seasons over the last year. I absolutely love it. I was quite happy that I was able to return the favor and introduce Beth to a podcast related to the show, called “The Bake Down,” in which former contestants discuss each episode. The podcast is run by a company called “Bake with a Legend”, which runs online and in-person baking classes with former contestants on the show.
Around Christmas time, Beth said, “I’d really love to take one of those classes.” “Let’s do it!” I replied. 🙂
And so we did! Howard Middleton was our instructor. He was in season 2 (or 4 if you are in the US). We were provided with the recipe and a list of required/suggested kitchen tools for the class several weeks in advance. It was a Zoom class, with about 25 participants from all over the US and the UK.
I was so nervous before it started! I don’t know why – I guess because it was a completely new experience and I didn’t quite know what to expect. It turns out it was a total joy from start to finish. Howard was so lovely and Sarah, the facilitator, kept things going smoothly. I highly recommend taking one of their classes (link to their website here).
Yesterday I went in search of the elusive (to me) Eastern screech-owl. I had heard that there was at least one on a certain trail in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, but information was sketchy as to where exactly it might be found. I walked a couple of miles down the (very muddy) path scanning every tree for a possible owl tenant with no luck. I turned back and got nearly to the parking lot when I was distracted by a tree just full of small birds I don’t ever remember seeing before (it turns out they were cedar waxwings). Instead of going straight to my car after those birds flew away, for some reason I climbed to the top of a small hill and, lo and behold, there was a screech owl sunning itself in a hollow of a tree. Four miles of searching and the owl was literally living next to the parking lot!
Screech owls are quite small, about 6-10 inches tall. They are adorable and I am completely smitten.
I hope you have a wonderful week!
Love,
Michelle xoxo