The storage room

In the oak tree the mini mice have a storage room. Mr mouse Berberis is the janitor in the garden and lives here with his wife Chosiya and his two active little ones. He is always in a good mood and the mice like to come and trade what they have for something they need. 

Berberis (being held by a human)

                                      A selection of pickles and jam made by Chosiya.
                                    A leg of dry lamb and lots of cheese is stored here too.

                                                           The Oak tree

Mice chocolate chip cookies

As promised Baccharis the baker mouse would like to show you his secret recipe

 for chocolate chip cookies.

Baccharis and Asmina from the chestnut stub are enjoying a quiet

 Sunday afternoon in the kitchen. Baking cookies and chatting for hours.

The famous mice chocolate chip cookies

Here is the recipe:

Chocolate chip cookies

1 cup butter room temperature, but not too soft
1 cup white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons hot water
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bar

Preheat oven to 350 F or 175 Celsius
Cream together butter and sugar in mixer until smooth. Beat in eggs, one at the time, then stir in the vanilla. Dissolve baking soda in hot water. Add it to batter along with salt. Stir in flour and cream of tartar. Then stir in the chocolate chips. Put on baking sheet aligned with paper. Use an ice-cream scoop. Press the cookies a bit down with your hand. Not to much but just as it is no longer dome shaped. Bake for about 11 minutes. Makes 24 large cookies. Cool on baking tray.

Asminia's kitchen is warm and inviting. She likes to make pickles from  the garden produce and cook on both her stoves. For large parties they are a must.

 

Enjoying a book while Baccharis bake the cookies.

Asminia and Baccharis wish you a nice weekend, and do try their cookies. They are "micelicious"

Early in the morning making cake

 

Such a nice day in the the old garden. Saintpaulia went up very early and made tarte tatin. A French cake with lots of apples and a lovely caramel aftertaste. She is planning to serve it with tea in the afternoon. I am sure the family will enjoy it. It's after all autumn and the harvesting of the fruits
                                                                 has already begun.

 

She has to get the cups from the top shelf. It's high and usually Penstemon has to reach for it, but he is still sleeping. If she steps on the chair maybe then she will get it...

 

 

 

As you see the sun has just risen in the old garden..

would you like to make tarte tatin? Saintpaulia watched Julia Child makes tarte tatin on televison.

The mice wishes you all a nice weekend.

 

Baking bread in the kitchen

Upclose from kitchen cabinet and sink.

The mice has been busy baking lots of breads

Mice recipe for white bread:

Ingredients

• 2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 50 grams dry yeast
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 6 cups bread flour or all purpose flour

Directions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water, and then stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam.
2. Mix salt and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time. Knead dough in mixer for about 6 minutes, until smooth. Place in a well oiled bowl, and turn dough to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
3. Punch dough down. Knead for a few minutes, and divide in half. Shape into loaves, and place into two well oiled 9x5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until dough has risen 1 inch above pans.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes