Bread

BREAD

Once upon a time I bought a bread maker. It was a big, white, bulky machine. I would put my ingredients (in a special order) into the pan, set the timer and it would work its magic. A couple hours later, I would have fresh baked bread and my house smelled like a bakery. A few years later the novelty wore off and that big, white, bulky bread machine took up too much space on my countertop and it ended up on a garage sale table. Fast forward to 2015, I am once again baking bread, minus the bread maker! I discovered a delicious bread recipe thanks to my "counterpart" (ahem) The Pioneer Woman. I happened to google a bread recipe and quite frankly I love Ree Drummond so when I read "The Bread" recipe by The Pioneer Woman I looked no further. It was so easy, easily adaptable and it absolutely delicious, I felt the need to share.

Ingredients:
3 C flour 
8 oz. of water (or 1 cup.)
4 oz. melted butter (about a stick before melted)
 chopped herbs of choice (I used basil and garlic) 
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon active or instant yeast. (I put this into the water before mixing with dry ingredients)

Combine all ingredients in a stand mixer. I use a kitchen aid one. If you don't have one, buy one! You will not regret it, trust me on that!

Mix the dough, with the dough hook, for about 10 minutes. I cleaned out a cabinet while mine mixed :) It is ready when the dough stretches without tearing (picture Stretch Armstrong). Place the ball of dough onto a lightly floured surface and cover with plastic wrap to rise (1-3 hours).

Once  the dough has doubled in size, you will knead it a few times to distribute the yeast. 

Preheat oven to 450°

Cut a large X into to the top of the dough. Place dough in a cast iron pan drizzled with olive oil. Drizzle additional oil on top of dough. Cover and bake for 30 minutes, uncover and bake an additional 15-20 minutes. I also sprinkled a little fresh Italian cheeses on top the last few minutes of baking. You don't have to use cheese, its still delicious without. 

This recipe is simple and so yummy. Enjoy!

"Give us this day our daily bread" -Matthew 6:11

Pumpkin Pancakes

Pumpkin Pancakes

It's that time of year again; falling leaves and cool crisp air. Halloween is just around the corner and Thanksgiving will be here before we know it. So, what do I do when summer turns to fall? I celebrate the season with pumpkin of course! Pumpkin spice coffee, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin cake, pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies (check out my two ingredient dessert recipe blog posted awhile back for an awesome pumpkin muffin/cookie recipe it is at the bottom of the page) and pumpkin pie.  After a recent visit to IHOP, I decided to embark on a new recipe creation this year-pumpkin pancakes.

They were so simple I had to share.

Ingredients for approximately 6 pancakes
1 Cup Pancake mix (I used the just add water type-easy peasy)
1 teaspoon Pumpkin pie spice
1/4 Cup Canned pumpkin (Libby's pie filling for example)
1 Cup of water (for crepes add more water to make a very thin pancake aka a crepe 😉)

Mix all ingredients together
Spray griddle or skillet with cooking spray/butter
Cook over medium heat.
Drizzle with syrup of your choice
Delicious!

A Christmas Story House

A Christmas Story House in Cleveland, Ohio

As I turned onto W. 11th Street my eyes were peeled, waiting for it...looking...watching...THEN there it was, in all it's glory. A mustard yellow, craftsman style home with green trim, a string of c-7 or c-9 lights along the front porch roof. The picture window lit up by nothing other than the holiest of holies- a fishnet stocking covered, stiletto wearing, lady leg lamp aka "the major award." I felt like Ralphie peering through the Higbee Department Store window at the Holy Grail of Christmas gifts- THE Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle!




It was home to the Parker Family in 1983's A Christmas Story. The story is set in 1940, in Hammond, Indiana, though the house is in Cleveland, Ohio. The home was used in filming of the movie, as well as a soundstage and filming locations in Canada. The history of the purchase, restoration and opening of the home is quite interesting. The house was acquired on ebay, renovated, and opened for A Christmas Story enthusiasts everywhere, including myself (and my 25 year old daughter who delighted in the fact that we were venturing to Ralphie and Randy's childhood home)!


In addition to the house, there is a museum and gift shop across the street. You must purchase your tickets in the gift shop to tour the home.

The house is all hands on. You can touch (and play) with everything! I felt like a kid on Christmas! I could not wait to step through the threshold of the Parker home. you have a tour guide, who is full of interesting facts. I really wanted to listen to her but I could not help but play house in a A Christmas Story kind of way. From a family portrait on the wall, there is a wooden crate with FRAGILE stenciled, a decked out Christmas Tree, bright red Lifebuoy soap in the bathroom, the completely replicated kitchen, boys bedroom, major award, Red Ryder bb gun and even a gift from Aunt Clara-the pink bunnysuit with matching bunny slippers fit for any four year old girl or yourself, they have them in small, medium and large for you to relive the complete horror Ralphie did that Christmas in 1940. Take lots of pictures and play out the antics of The Parker family. You will have sweet memories for many years...we did!




The museum across the street holds many of the original props and costumes worn by the actors including Randy's snowsuit, the Higbee's Christmas window display, hats, books...and many more.  The gift shop, well I wanted everything! Including my very own gift from Aunt Clara. I could not pass up a bar of Lifebuoy soap.



I cannot explain the complete joy I had visiting this house. I was intrigued, I felt like it was 1940 and I was part of the somewhat familiar dysfunctional Parker family.


If you get the chance I encourage you to road trip to 3159 W. 11th St., Cleveland, Ohio.


The cost of the tour is $10 and some change (adult), and they offer a AAA discount. Completely worth it!

My prodigal daughter...

I posted this on my Facebook page a few weeks back. These feelings remain and they are real.

Almost ten years ago, my daughter left our home. She had just turned 18 and and knew everything there ever was to know about life! Or so she thought...

Ten years I have waited to restart and restore the mother/daughter relationship I had always wished for with my firstborn. In a way, it has been like a death in our family. Gone is the beloved daughter, sister, cousin, niece and granddaughter. Physically she is able yet the distance remains. I don't want sympathy. I have hope that someday my prodigal daughter will return to her roots. We are a thriving family, we continue to have faith and believe all things are possible.

What I do want is to stress to all young girls and the young men who wish to win their hearts and the love of that young girl's family-"You are and always will be a vital part of your family. NO ONE person should ever want to take you away from that. If they love you, they want you to be with the people who love you most (your family). Just because you are a teen who may think your parents are the most God awful people on this earth, they only want what is best for you and want to see you thrive. The person you fall in love with should make you a better person! No relationship is bias. Someday. (I hope and pray) you will appreciate all that your parents have done and will continue to do for you."

Parenting is a very tough job. When your kids get older and you go from parenting to being their friend it is one of the most amazing experiences." Enjoy it!

I am grateful everyday for my friends and family that help me get through the tough times. I have two beautiful daughters who give me more love and appreciation than than I could have ever asked for. I don't have the answers and I whole heartedly believe everything happens for a reason and not on our time but God's time...

So Hey God it's about time you send her home 😕

Fried Cucumbers

Fried Cucumbers

Maybe it was my recent visit to the fair, maybe it was all the cucumbers sitting on my counter (thanks Carrie) maybe it was both! Fried cucumbers=awesome! 

Batter:

Flour

Cornmeal

Seasoning salt

pepper

garlic powder/salt

Cucumbers

Egg

Oil for frying med-high heat 

Ranch dressing for dipping sauce

Stir together dry ingredients in bowl (I did not put measurements for dry ingredients, a little of this and a little of that) make it to your liking.

Slice cucumbers

Place egg in bowl and slightly whip

Dip cucumber in flour mixture, then in the egg, then back in the flour mixture.

Fry for 1-2 minutes on each side

Place on paper towel to drain

YUM!

Greek Yogurt Love

Greek Yogurt Love

I know I may be late to the party, but if you are to; I want to share my new love of Greek Yogurt!

Grocery shopping I always pick up Greek yogurt, FLAVORED Greek yogur that is. I often overlook the many containers of plain yogurt sitting right next to all the flavorful ones I have chosen. Recently. A co-worker of mine happened to bring plain greek yogurt in her lunch. The only reason she packed it was because her personal trainer recommended it to her in her diet. She was quite verbal on her dislike of it. So much so she had me taste it. And so my love og plain greek yogurt began... It tasted just like sour cream.

Plain Greek Yogurt is a great, beneficial, light alternative to the often fat and calorie filled sour cream.

Trust me I like my sour cream so this find is AMAZING to me. Cheesy potatoes with less fat, cheescake with less fat, veggie dips, potato chip dips, cakes, breads, soups, tacos and enchiladas...and on and on! If you are looking for a healthy alternative, I encourage you to try it. Check out the chart below. I found it on another post. It is Chobani's substitution list. Try it, you may like it!

Biscuit Dough Donuts and Holes

You know me I'm all about easy recipes and semi-homemade. When a friend of mine shared this recipe with me, I thought no way...Biscuit dough Donuts?! How did I not know this recipe?  A simple can of Refrirgerated Biscuit dough can make a delicous bakery fresh donut? Yes my friend it sure can! I decided to put this recipe to the test. The results; Amazingly good, amazingly easy... DONUTS! 

Recipe: 

Refrigerated Biscuit Dough (I used Pillsbury)

Oil for frying

Toppings/Icing choices

Cinnamon and sugar (This is what I used)

Powder Sugar

Icing (Plain or add sprinkles)

Sugar Glaze

Lay out biscuit dough on cutting board. Poke out donut hole using anything round, seriously (I used the top of a water bottle) Heat oil in a pan on medium heat. Place dough in the oil. It takes seconds to fry them. Hint: flip donut continuously in the oil so that the donut does not burn. Once golden in color (approximately 30 seconds) remove from oil. Place on paper towel or cooling rack. Don't forget to make the donut holes as well. 

Top with icng or topping of choice.

Mom's Resume

Mom's Resume-

Have you ever been asked a question that left you with a look of discernment? I think some may call this RBF (resting bitch face) or maybe you have a close friend who is famous for making her "insert friend's name here" face."  Yes? So you get it? Well that happened to me this week at work...

A co-worker of mine decided to ask me: "What do you do in your "spare" time? Ok, let me take a moment to let that sink in..."spare time" ahem "spare time" (?) Right then and there I was experiencing a sense of "spare time." I was speechless and yet intrigued as to what brought this question about. I'm sure my face was priceless. It only took probably ten seconds to respnod with "Spare time? Who says I have any spare time?" His response: "Well you only work Part time (30hr/wk)."  My face, I'm sure, showed signs of RBF...my mouth was...sarcastic vomit...so let's see what DO I do in my spare time(?) After the initial shock, I decided to embark on a conversation that would inform the co-worker of exactly what my professional resume looked like, as well as what it would look like if we could actually stake a claim to the many faces of motherhood.

So here goes:

HS-SJC graduate 1989

1992-College-Single mom that went back to college to pursue a degree in Civil Engineering Technology, Graduated 1995.

1995-Job out of college-Engineering Firm in Dublin, Ohio as a Lab and Field Tech (testing concrete and soil) Hard hat and workboots on construction sites by day, A (newlywed) wife and Mom to two kids by night.

1996-Moved a year later and decided we wanted to have baby number three...

1997-Babysitting and pregnant (No that was not supposed to say barefoot)

1998-2000-Stay at home mom to three lovely girls, I have the home videos to prove it!

2001-Legal Processor-working from home for a small local company. Still a wife and mom though...

2008-Continued doing Legal work, but decided to take on a "fun" second job cake decorating at a local bakery. Dream job right...well for me sort of, however the labor involved of an industrial type bakery is a lot harder than it may seem. However, I loved the decorating. Creative passion ;) So to do the math 15-20 hours a week processing, 20-32 hours a week at bakery...

2010-Decided it was time to try something new. I left the above jobs and went to work in an office setting...it's is my current job, however I took a hiatus due to medical issues Sept. 2012 thru Sept, 2014. BLAH, BLAH...

So there it is my work resume in a nutshell! Now, after I gave the co-worker the jist of the list he said "Oh so I guess you aren't lazy?" RBF struck once again, except this time harder,than before, I think I have the wrinkles to prove it!

Lazy...Seriously you thought I was lazy(?) because I work part time? Ok, in my most professional voice: "I can do 40 hours of work in 30 so I would not call that lazy" but uh...okay.

How do you address that, all you "stay at home mommies?" Or all you schedule jugglers? HA! LAZY?

So then it happened the sarcastic vomit I mentioned before...Well this time it was spewing (exorcist like).

So here goes, I let loose, my Resume in addition to above: 

Chef, Baker, Party Planner, Vacation Planner, Nurse/caretaker, Vet Tech, Banker (financial advisor), Gardener, House cleaner/maid, I run the "in-house" laundromat, Teacher/tutor, Personal shopper, Chauffeur, Coach, Cheerleader, Stylist, Decorator, Photographer, Plumber (toilets get clogged, sinks get clogged, bathtub drains), hostess, videographer...ok so you get my point, right? Shall I list the additional volunteer jobs I have held throughout the local school district as well?

Okay so there it is my rant!

I've been a mom for 27 years, a loving wife for 20 years ;), throughout those years I have held many jobs and spent countless hours in "unpaid" positions. It's been worth every minute of it! 

I challenge anyone to ever ask me again: "What do you do in your spare time?" I'll give you an earful! And you will give me blogging material. 

What do I REALLY do in my sparetime? I blog-thanks for the material dude!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Well, here it is Mother's Day Eve. My sister sent me a lovely written blog post on Facebook. I read it, I liked it, but the title bothered me: "A letter to the Motherless Daughter's on Mother's Day." My thought when I first read the title was "I'm not motherless." Clearly, it was not the writers intent to come across that way. However, it made me think and think I did...which led to journaling...which led to blogging...

So here it is a blog to all, especially girls and women (young and old) you DO have someone to celebrate, cherish, and appreciate this Mother's day:

I am not Motherless! My mom is with me today and everyday. She was with me when I sang my babies to sleep at night (although my voice was not as sweet as she), when I give hugs away, when I slave over a cake for family and friends, when I spend hours baking Christmas cookies, when I tend to my garden, when I stay up to the wee hours of the morning crafting a Halloween costume or altering a prom dress. She is there when I craft a special gift for a friend or family member. You see, I am my Mother's Daughter. I see it, I feel it, I live it. She taught me to pray, to be kind, how to love and give it away, to forgive (when it may not come easy), to nurture, to have patience (that came later in life ;) She was truly born to be a Mom or so it seemed.

I remember on vacation watching my mom stare out onto the ocean. Taking in the beauty of the great Earth.  She would often stare out in a dazed moment and I could not help but wonder, at the time, what it was she was thinking about. She was "lost in the moment" taking in all of God's grace, I am not sure I ever really asked her the "what" or "why" but today I think I may have the answer. 

Remember there is always someone in your life shaping you. Not just a Mom or Grandma, maybe a neighbor (in my case our beloved Ann who was like a Grandma to us), a mentor, a teacher...A woman who devoted her life to caring and loving a child/children as her own. You are also shaping the lives of others. Be a good example. Cater to the needs and desires of others and not just yourself. Find joy in the simple things. Someday you will be left with a memory. A memory that leaves a smile not a frown.  

I do miss my Mom, but her presence is very much alive. I thank her and praise her for leaving me much more blessed than I could have ever imagined when she physically left this Earth 21 years ago. 

Not just on Mother's day but everyday: I will honor her and celebrate the awesome grace-filled woman she was. It is a struggle at times but I strive to be more like her. To be the kind, gentle spirit she really was and to live out her legacy and pass on to my three daughters, as well. Live out your Mother's love she will smile and know she did a job well done. 

If you are fortunate enough to physically have your Mother here on Earth visit her, call her, text her. Do something! If you are not that fortunate continue to celebrate the legacy she left behind.  Revisit the past with her by wearing her jewelry, her favortite perfume, buy or pick her most cherished flower, bake her most treasured recipe for your family. Tell her favorite stories to others. Pass it on...her love and presence remain with you, always. 

Making Butter 101

Homemade Butter

 

Maybe you like science experiments, maybe you enjoy the simple life, maybe you always wanted to be Laura Ingalls, maybe you consider yourself a domestic goddess and making butter is on the bucket list. For me it's all of the above! If you have a stand mixer I highly recommend it. If you are into exercise or do not have a mixer, try a mason jar and shake for 6-8 minutes.

Let's get started!

Ingredients:

Heavy Whipping Cream

Salt

Just to be clear, this is simple butter recipe. You can add wahtever spices to your butter later to give it a desired flavor (e.g. cinnamon, honey, garlic, chives...endless ideas)

Pour your whipping cream into the mixing bowl. 

NOTE: You will want to make sure you DO NOT OVERFILL the bowl. Trust me on this. 

I cover my mixer with saran wrap, using tape to secure and make a "tent". Trust me you will want to cover with something. I recommend a clear view, because it is an amazing process :) Once you have it covered start mixing. With a mason jar start shaking! Now it will seem like it is doing nothing. You may question if you are even doing it right. You are...as long as you used heavy cream, poured in the mixer, and in fact turned on the mixer you are doing it right! I usually set mine to a medium speed. You will start to hear the mixer "churn." you may want to stop at that point, don't! As it starts to churn into butter it will eventually make a "splattering" sound. And it seperates, you will have butter (a soild) and...BUTTERMILk (the liquid)! AMAZING! In the picture below, I am draining out the buttermilk to use in pancakes for later, yum! I usually store it in a mason jar, in the fridge. 

You are not done. 

Take the solid (the butter) and rinse it under cold water. Squeezing out the milk. Wash it, squeeze it, repeat! You need to wash it, otherwise you end up with rancid butter. It is like playing with play doh.

Once you have the milk rinsed out of the butter. I normally put the butter back into the mixing bowl and add the salt to mix thoroughly. The amount of salt you add is entirely up to you. That is it, you have butter! 

For a variety of flavored butter: after you add the salt, mix, you can add your favorite herbs or spices.

Now my husband did not enjot this and did not find it as amazing as I did so be warned, not everyone may think this is amazing. Yes I paid $2 for heavy cream for eight ounces of butter. So worth it!

Enjoy!