john's new baby

John is very, VERY into emergency preparedness lately -- purchasing everything from water filters to rotating food storage shelves to portable toilet seats! Not that I'm complaining. I'm not! I actually love that he has taken this huge project upon himself, only involving me when he needs a second opinion.

He came home last week with a Solar Oven. I must admit that when I saw this rinky-dink looking contraption, I mocked it (silently, as to not make John feel ridiculed). I could tell John was proud, REAL proud of his little purchase so while biting my tongue, was able to muster out the words, "Oh honey, that's awesome. What a great thing you did in spending our money on this, this....thing!" (Ya, this thing that looks like it would be better off roaming around the planet Mars retrieving soil samples!)

So yesterday was the big day. In between Conference sessions we put this baby to the test. John placed the Sun Oven in the back yard and we watched as the temperature in it quickly rose to 325 degrees! "Is it possible that this 'thing' might actually work?" I pessimistically thought to myself.

We cut up a Butternut Squash, placed it in a small dutch oven and then baked it for about one hour. I sheepishly admit that is was THE BEST SQUASH I HAVE EVER EATEN IN MY ENTIRE LIFE! So flavorful, so moist (the Sun Oven claims mega-moistness as one of its bonuses). No butter nor even salt and pepper needed!

IN. CRE. DI. BLE.

So on to the next test, which to our cookie-loving, cookie-baking family was the ultimate test. Can this thing bake cookies? AND, if so, can it bake them to our family's satisfaction? We are, you see, cookie snobs at our house.

Well, we shall see.....

Proud father John, admiring the latest addition
to his family.

Can it pass the cookie-snob test?

Baking at 335 degrees.

Eager mouths anxiously awaiting the results. (And this picture was NOT posed! Well, maybe just a teensy bit. The kids were actually all gathered around. Watching. Waiting. Drooling. Watching. Waiting....)

Low and behold, after about 12 minutes they were done.

The verdict is in - the cookies are delicious!
Crispy on the outside, warm and chewy on the inside.

You did good John. Real good.