Freshly Baked Everyday Quotes

When we’re in line for food, Peter reaches for a brownie and I say, “Don’t--I brought cookies,” and he gets excited. “Can I have one now?” he asks. I pull my Tupperware out of my bag and Peter grabs one. “Let’s not share with anybody else,” he says. “Too late,” I say, because our friends have spotted us. Darrell is singing, “Her cookies bring all the boys to the yard,” as we walk up to the table. I set the Tupperware down on the table and the boys wrestle for it, snatching cookies and gobbling them up like trolls. Pammy manages to snag one and says, “Y’all are beasts.” Darrell throws his head back and makes a beastlike sound, and she giggles. “These are amazing,” Gabe groans, licking chocolate off his fingers. Modestly I say, “They’re all right. Good, but not amazing. Not perfect.” I break a piece off of Peter’s cookie. “They taste better fresh out of the oven.” “Will you please come over to my house and bake me cookies so I know what they taste like fresh out of the oven?” Gabe bites into another one and closes his eyes in ecstasy. Peter snags one. “Stop eating all my girlfriend’s cookies!” Even a year later, it still gives me a little thrill to hear him say “my girlfriend” and know that I’m her. “You’re gonna get a gut if you don’t quit with that shit,” Darrell says. Peter takes a bite of cookie and lifts up his shirt and pats his stomach. “Six-pack, baby.” “You’re a lucky girl, Large,” Gabe says. Darrell shakes his head. “Nah, Kavinsky’s the lucky one.” Peter catches my eye and winks, and my heart beats quicker. I have a feeling that when I’m Stormy’s age, these everyday moments will be what I remember: Peter’s head bent, biting into a chocolate chip cookie; the sun coming through the cafeteria window, bouncing off his brown hair; him looking at me.

use freshly baked bread for food within two to three days. It must be remembered that products containing eggs stale faster. Bread containing honey and butter retains its freshness and elasticity longer. Chapter 2.

8 ounces (250g) salmon fillet, bones removed 8 ounces (250g) firm white fish fillet, such as lingcod, snapper, tilapia, bones removed 8 ounces (250g) halibut or other delicate white fish, bones removed ¼ cup (about 3g) fresh tarragon leaves, minced Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 shallots, sliced paper-thin 2 medium radishes, cut into paper-thin rounds 1 generous tablespoon unsalted butter, cut in 4 equal pieces Fleur de sel, for garnish Rinse the fish and cut each piece on the bias into four even pieces so that they are flat rather than chunky. This will allow them to cook more evenly. Refrigerate. Preheat the oven to 450°F (225°C) and position a rack in the center. Cut four pieces of parchment paper that measure about 12 by 6 inches (30.5 by 15.24cm). Cut four pieces of aluminum foil that measure about 18 by 11½ inches (45.7 by 29cm). Place the parchment in the center of the foil. Arrange one piece of each fish in the center of the parchment paper, arranging them so they are touching but not overlapping, in a sort of flower pattern. Season generously with salt and pepper. Top each with equal amounts of shallots and radishes, then sprinkle with tarragon. Season again with salt and pepper, and set a piece of butter on top. Bring the foil and the parchment together above the fish and gently twist so it makes a closed packet. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Place the packets on a baking sheet, and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the fish is opaque through. (You may need to check by removing one of the packets from the oven and deftly opening it to see if the fish is cooked. If just about, but not quite, cooked, give the aluminum a twist and let the packets sit while you call everyone to the table for dinner. If not cooked at all—doubtful—return to the oven for 3 to 5 minutes.) Remove the packets from the oven, immediately remove them from the baking sheet, and open them. Assemble your plates, giving the fish a few minutes to sit, then carefully remove the fish and vegetables from the packets with a slotted spatula, and place them in the center of a warmed dinner plate. Drizzle with a bit of cooking juices, season with fleur de sel, and serve. Don’t serve the packets at the table—it ends up being complicated for the diner, because they have to figure out what to do with a pile of paper and aluminum foil on their plates. SERVES 4

Rural Free Delivery (RFD) Home, upon that word drops the sunshine of beauty and the shadow of tender sorrows, the reflection of ten thousand voices and fond memories. This is a mighty fine old world after all if you make yourself think so. Look happy even if things are going against you— that will make others happy. Pretty soon all will be smiling and then there is no telling what can’t be done. Coca-Cola Girl Mother baked a fortune cake pale yellow icing, lemon drops round rim, hidden within treasures, a ring—you’ll be married, a button—stay a bachelor, a thimble—always a spinster, and a penny—you’re rich. Gee, but I am hungry. Wait a second, dear, until I pull my belt up another notch. There that’s better. So, you see, Hon, I am straighter than a string around a bundle. You ought to see my eye, it’s a peach. I am proud of it, looks like I’ve been kicked by a mule. You know, dear, that they can kick hard enough to knock all the soda out of a biscuit without breaking the crust Hogging Catfish This gives you a fighting chance. Noodle your right hand into their gills, hold on tight while you grunt him out of the water. This can be a real dogfight. Old river cat wants to go down deep, make you bottom feed. Like I said, boys, when you tell a whopper, say it like you believe it. Saturday Ritual My Granddad was a cobbler. We each owned two pairs of shoes, Sunday shoes and everyday shoes. When our Sunday shoes got worn they became our everyday shoes. Main Street Saturday Night We each were given a dime on Saturday opening a universe of possibilities. All the stores stayed open and people flocked into town. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds set up a popcorn stand on Reinheimer’s corner and soon after lighting a little stove, sounding like small firecrackers, popping began. Dad, laughing shooting the breeze with a group of farmers, drinking Coca Cola, finding out if any sheds needed to be built or barns repaired, discussing the price of next year’s seed, finding out who’s really working, who’s just looking busy. There is no object I wouldn’t give to relive my childhood growing up in Delavan— where everyone knew everyone— and joy came with but a dime. Market Day Jim Pittsford’s grocery smelled of bananas ripening and the coffee he ground by hand, wonderful smoked ham and bacon fresh sliced. He’d reward the child who came to pick up the purchase, with a large dill pickle Biking home, skillfully balancing Jim Pittsford’s bacon, J B’s tomatoes and peaches, while sniffing a tantalizing spice rising from fresh warm rolls, I nibbled my pickle reward.

Texas Roadhouse Hey Dudes Shoe Collaboration: An April Fools’ Prank In the world of creative marketing, few brands manage to capture attention like Texas Roadhouse. Known for its mouthwatering steaks and legendary rolls, the brand took its humor game to the next level with the "Hey Dudes Shoe Collaboration," an April Fools' prank that left everyone talking. The Setup: A Perfect Match (Or Was It?) On April 1st, Texas Roadhouse announced a surprising partnership with Hey Dudes, a casual shoe company loved for its comfort and laid-back style. The concept? A limited-edition shoe line inspired by the iconic restaurant. From designs resembling freshly baked rolls to vibrant steakhouse-themed colors, the announcement was too good (or hilarious) to ignore. The Reaction: Fans Fell for It! Social media erupted with excitement. Fans speculated whether the quirky collaboration was real or a cleverly disguised April Fools' joke. Some were ready to purchase, while others laughed at the sheer absurdity of walking around in bread-themed footwear. Either way, Texas Roadhouse succeeded in sparking engagement and bringing a smile to its customers' faces. Why It Worked: The Power of Playful Marketing This April Fools' prank hit all the right notes: Relatable Humor: Combining everyday items like shoes with the love of food was a genius move. Brand Connection: Texas Roadhouse played to its strengths, celebrating its beloved menu items in a fun way. Viral Potential: The idea was outrageous enough to go viral, driving traffic and visibility for both brands. The Takeaway for Marketers The "Hey Dudes Shoe Collaboration" prank serves as a masterclass in playful branding. It shows how a well-executed joke can boost a brand’s image, spark conversations, and create a lasting impression. While no actual shoes hit the market, Texas Roadhouse walked away with a big win in creativity and customer connection.

Texas Roadhouse Hey Dudes Shoe Collaboration: An April Fools’ Prank In the world of creative marketing, few brands manage to capture attention like Texas Roadhouse. Known for its mouthwatering steaks and legendary rolls, the brand took its humor game to the next level with the "Hey Dudes Shoe Collaboration," an April Fools' prank that left everyone talking. The Setup: A Perfect Match (Or Was It?) On April 1st, Texas Roadhouse announced a surprising partnership with Hey Dudes, a casual shoe company loved for its comfort and laid-back style. The concept? A limited-edition shoe line inspired by the iconic restaurant. From designs resembling freshly baked rolls to vibrant steakhouse-themed colors, the announcement was too good (or hilarious) to ignore. The Reaction: Fans Fell for It! Social media erupted with excitement. Fans speculated whether the quirky collaboration was real or a cleverly disguised April Fools' joke. Some were ready to purchase, while others laughed at the sheer absurdity of walking around in bread-themed footwear. Either way, Texas Roadhouse succeeded in sparking engagement and bringing a smile to its customers' faces. Why It Worked: The Power of Playful Marketing This April Fools' prank hit all the right notes: Relatable Humor: Combining everyday items like shoes with the love of food was a genius move. Brand Connection: Texas Roadhouse played to its strengths, celebrating its beloved menu items in a fun way. Viral Potential: The idea was outrageous enough to go viral, driving traffic and visibility for both brands. The Takeaway for Marketers The "Hey Dudes Shoe Collaboration" prank serves as a masterclass in playful branding. It shows how a well-executed joke can boost a brand’s image, spark conversations, and create a lasting impression. While no actual shoes hit the market, Texas Roadhouse walked away with a big win in creativity and customer connection.