There's no prize chest for grown-ups at the dentist! What gives?

Yesterday morning was a rough one for me. This was the dental (unexpected) discovery from last week, an old filling with a crack in the side near the top that didn't show up on x-rays but could be seen when the neighboring crown was placed. My dentist was really kind when informing me and even said I could put this off for a bit, if I wanted. I think she's beginning to feel sorry for me this spring.

Anyway, although this was just a re-do on a filling and not a crown, it was especially rough on me. Perhaps it was due to no breaks during the drilling and refilling, or perhaps it was because it was an extra early morning appointment so they could squeeze me in soon, or perhaps it was because I didn't sleep well the night before due to back and shoulder pain. Whatever. It was a tough one.

When they finished, I had a hard time standing up. I made it out to the car and just sat for a while before I drove myself home. I got home, put comfy clothes back on, and crawled back under the covers. I got nothing accomplished all day except the dental appointment.

Over the weekend I had mentioned that it's such a shame that dentists don't give out prizes/rewards to the adults getting treatment. Well, my two daughters wanted me to have a "prize". They went to Goodwill Outlet and bought this cream-colored Ann Taylor LOFT pj/loungewear top for, get this, 74 cents. Goodwill Outlet sells clothing and housewares by the pound. Lightweight clothing can be a steal. Furniture is also a deal, usually half price from what it had been tagged in the regular Goodwill store. Last spring, I got a sewing table from GO for $7.50. Just takes patience and lots of checking back to find what I seek.

Anyway, a "new" pj top was my prize for all of these dental appointments. What thoughtful daughters!

A Birthday Gift That I've Wanted for Several Years

 

If you like to bake French bread, you may know what this gift is.

Several years ago I was researching baking better French loaves, specifically keeping the loaves from flattening out. That's when I came across these baguette pans.

Instead of rising dough and baking on a flat baking sheet, these scoop-shaped pans support the dough along the edges, allowing for a taller and narrower finished loaf.

Baguette pans come in two, three, four, and five loaf versions. Mine is a two loaf pan, but you can imagine  five of these "scoops" joined together.

All of the tiny holes in the pan help crisp up the bottom of each loaf. And yes, the pans' holes leave markings on the bottom of each loaf.

My kids asked me a while ago what I'd like as a gift for my birthday. Over the weekend, my son and daughter-in-law came over to celebrate both my and my husband's birthdays (our birthdays are 6 days apart). That's when I was presented with my very own baguette pan. 

I made a batch of baguettes this afternoon. I shaped my dough on the countertop then transferred to the pan. It was actually very easy to move the thin lengths of dough into the pan without over-stretching. I basically rolled each length into its "scoop."

I bake French bread about once every two weeks. I'll be using this pan from now on. It kept my bread's shape, and the pan itself was as easy to clean as a baking sheet. I found no down sides to the baguette pan.

This was a practical gift that was also fun for me. For years I couldn't justify buying one for myself. But I was super pleased to receive one as a gift. And I think my family is happy that I'm putting it to use already.

What's the best practical gift that you've ever received?