A Baker's Dozen

Blueberry-Cashew Muffins

A "baker's dozen" means 13 items.  It is thought that the expression originated from the custom of bakers adding an extra loaf to each dozen loaves of bread sold, because, although each loaf was required to weigh a certain amount and there were heavy penalties for selling short weight, it was difficult to guarantee that each loaf weighed the exact required weight at the time, with rather imprecise scales and measures, etc.  So, bakers added an extra loaf, free of charge, to avoid being short weight.  

 

Today, I wanted some muffins to have with my tea.  Although it was a fairly hot day, I decided to go ahead and bake some (as opposed to making them in the microwave).  I added a container of blueberries I had in the fridge into the batter and some cashews and sprinkled the tops with some turbinado (raw) sugar.  

I think my craving for muffins is a result of seeing this display at the museum the other day:

Kitchen Implements Display: Biscuit Pan and Rolling Pin

There were some crockery pieces to the right, but I was more intrigued by the biscuit pan, which I thought looked a lot like a muffin pan, albeit a shallower version.

There were quite a few displays pertaining to food - gathering, growing, preparation, etc. 

Native American Food Gathering Implements 

The inclusion of the blue plastic fly swatter was a bit confusing, but, I think it was there to show the design principles between the item used to beat the grains into the gathering basket and the swatter. 

Food Preparation Implements

The tri-cornered winnowing basket reminded me of the winnowing basket used in Sri Lanka to winnow rice!  I loved the inclusion of the Magic Bullet blender (at the back, behind the round basket) - these displays are set up, in part, to educate children, and to show them how things used to be done in the past (grinding acorns and herbs in a pestle and mortar) and to compare them with more modern methods.  There were desk areas and computers set up at various places, where children could work on their homework assignments and there were both elementary school age children and teenagers doing research. 

Cooking Implements - Clay Pots and Aluminum Pots

Serving Dishes

My favorite food-related display had to be the chuck wagon!  It was set up in the middle of a large room:

Modified Wagon Carrying Food Supplies to Feed the Cowboys

According to the information board, Taxas cattleman Charles Goodnight is credited with creating the first chuckwagon in 1866 when he fixed a cupboard made of orangewood to the back of a wagon.  "Chuck"is a nineteenth century slang term for food, it says.

The cover of the chuck box comes down to form a table

One side of the Wagon, showing the chuck box and barrel of vinegar (for washing and preserving food.

Some of the Names the Cook was Known By

Boot or Cuna - A cowhide hung under the wagon bed to carry heavy items

Cuna was the Spanish word for "cradle".  A stretched cowhide would be hung under the wagon bed to carry heavy items such as wood and buffalo chips.

Front of the Wagon

I assume those are the canvas covers of the wagon, rolled up and stored under the seat.

On the other side of the wagon, was a barrel of water

The Chuck Box had Drawers and Shelves for Various Items

 There was information about the types of food items on a chuckwagon:

Cowboy Fare

The chuckwagon was a pantry and a kitchen on wheels!

Today, I am grateful for:

- Freshly baked muffins

- Chatting on the phone with family members

- Warm summer days

- Relaxing with a book

- Working fans!

This week seems to have flown by!  Already, it is almost Friday and daughter will be here, Friday night!