30???

30, really???? Today is the day I go into the next decade of my life. It is crazy to think that I am that old. I know it isn't old, but I still feel like I am 18. Thank goodness I'm not! It is weird to look back on my life and remember where I came from and where I am now. It just makes me think, a little. It keeps me grounded and I hope that when I start looking back 10 years from now, that I am still happy and content with the things that I have. Yes, we all wish we had this and that but I am most grateful for my husband and my two beautiful children. I hope this next year is as good as the last.

Whole Wheat Bread

Yummy whole wheat bread recipe. This recipe is also from my friend Emily, well her sister. I am not a baker and even I can do this and make it turn out!

Yields 2 loaves
1/3 Cup honey
1/3 Cup extra virgin olive oil
2 1/2 Cup warm water
1 1/2 Tbsp. yeast
2 1/2 tsp. salt
6-7 Cups fresh ground whole wheat flour (she used hard white wheat)
1 1/2 Tbsp. vital wheat gluten

Combine the warm water, yeast and honey together in a separate bowl to activate the yeast faster. In a bigger mixing bowl add 2 cups of wheat flour and then add the yeast mixture to the top, allow to sponge for 15 minutes. Add oil, wheat gluten, salt and 4-5 cups additional flour, (I add about 3-4 cups). Add until the dough begins to clean the sides of the mixing bowl. Do not allow the dough to get too stiff (too dry). Dough should be smooth and elastic.
It is a common mistake for beginning bakers (this is me) to add too much flour.
Knead the bread by hand 7-10 minutes or until it is very smooth, elastic, and small bubbles or blisters appear beneath the surface of the dough. Be sure to add the minumum amount of flour to keep the dough soft and plaible by using a tsp of oil on your hands and kneading surface.
Form the dough into 2 loaves and put in greased loaf pans or 5-6 loaves balls if making bread bowls and place on cookie sheet. Allow to rise in a slightly warmed oven or other warm place until doubled in size (about 30-60 minutes. Bake loaves for 25-30 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Bread is cooked through when it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom and when the top and sides are a golden brown color.

This bread recipe is Versatile! Use it to make cinnamon rolls, pizza, bread sticks, and more.
Enjoy!

Playing with Ponka

I love this picture so much. My mom (Ponka) was here last Sunday on Mother's Day. She had so much fun playing with Brady and I was able to capture the best part, her climbing into Brady's tent. She asked him if she could take a nap and he was very willing to share his tent. We got a blanket to cover her up and then we shut the door to let her sleep. That didn't last long, but it sure was cute!

Sewing continued

Here is my valance that we finished on Friday. Not a lot of sewing involved. I had to sew some more fabric on both ends because they didn't have enough in one piece. I actually threaded the needle and bobbin without the manual this time! I guess it just shows that I would be better if I just used it more. Bryce did most of the work to build the back for it and he did the stapling. He wouldn't let me take that away from him. I love it, it feels so homey in my kitchen. Since I can't tear down the kitchen and start over, I mine as well change the things that I can.

Yummy German "Chocolate" Cake

Okay, this is a recipe for a healthy version of German Chocolate Cake. It is not mine, I got it from my friend Emily who is my inspiration to try to eat healthy. So here it is and it is so good, be prepared to eat the whole cake by yourself!!!

Super Moist German Chocolate Cake

1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
3 T. sifted carob powder
1 t. baking soda
1 c. Sucanat
1/2 t. sea salt
5 T. coconut oil
1 T. white vinegar
1 T. vanilla
1 cup cold water

Put your flour into mixing bowl, add carob, baking soda, sugar and salt and mix well.Make three deep holes in the dry mixture. Into one, pour the oil, into the next, pour the vinegar, into the next, pour the vanilla. Pour the water into the bowl, over all of this. Mix the wet and dry ingredients together until there aren't any more lumps and pour into a 9x9 inch baking pan.Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, test with fork. Can also be made into cupcakes, bake for 15 minutes.

Frosting:
1/2 c. coconut oil
3/4 c. organic cane sugar
1 1/2 c. shredded unsweetened coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 c. vanilla almond or rice milk
1 t. vanilla

Boil together all ingredents in a medium to large saucepan over medium high heat for 10 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden or plastic spoon. Pour on cake while frosting is still warm. Let set up for a few minutes before serving. (Sets up faster if you cover it and place it in the fridge.)

This tastes the best when it is warm! And you don't even need ice cream if you don't want too!
Bryce would differ about that one.

New Curtains & Garden

So finally after 3 years of looking at ugly curtains above my sink, I decided to try out my not so good sewing skills. I am not a sewer by any means, so to try this on my own was a little scary. It seems like it takes me forever to figure out how to use it. Once I get going, it isn't hard. Anyway, I was very pleased with my work and thought I would share. I am inspired by my amazing sister-in-laws and all of the projects they take on. Maybe someday I will be more like them. I am contemplating making aprons like they did for their kids, but we shall see how long this sewing desire keeps up!

Our other venture is preparing a garden. We live in an area where we can have a garden most of the year, except in the middle of the summer, when it is 115 degrees outside, for some reason it is just too hot! Anyway, we have laid out a garden bed to prepare for the Fall and we started that last weekend. Bryce is outside moving rocks around and filling the bed with our neighbors manure. We should have quite the fertile garden! We are excited for the upcoming Fall so we can have some nice fresh veggies! Yum!

Leilani's First Steps

Okay, so I am trying something new and it looks okay. This is all so new to me. I have had this video on my phone for a month and I have been trying to send it to everyone and then I figured out how to get it onto my blog. It isn't the best video and it is sideways. . . maybe I will get this right, someday!
She took her first steps in April and she still is a little unsure of what to do. I think that she is probably more afraid of Brady knocking her over than anything else. I would be too!

April 5, 2008 Leilani's first steps!

Mobile post sent by montierth using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3