Summer

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Reusable Bags


I finally drug out the sewing machine and dusted it off to make these reusable sandwich and snack baggies to replace out ziplocs. Below is a picture of the first set. They are really easy to do and you can use whatever fabric you think is cute. Lily picked this one out and she is giving it to Aunt Cindy tomorrow for having us all over. (Paybacks for all the "cute" things Griffin gave us when he was little) I totally expect her to use them!

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Bread Making Success

Well the bread making was successful! In fact I am making another batch today. You can see some of the steps below.
The first picture is the wet and dry ingredients separate.
The second picture is of the Kitchenaid doing the kneeding for me (love the Kitchenaid).
The third picture is the bread after the first rising.
The fourth picture is of the bread in the pan before the second rising.
The last picture is the final product. I have also included the recipe I used. It was yummy!
Homemade Wheat Bread

1 C warm water
1 TBS milk
2 TBS oil
2 TBS honey
2 TBS brown sugar
2 ¼ tsp (or one packet) instant active dry yeast
1 tsp of salt
1 ½ C all-purpose flour
1 ½ C whole wheat flour

In large mixing bowl combine first 5 ingredients. Sprinkle yeast on top and gently stir to mix. Let sit for 15 min
Sift together salt and both flour
Attach dough hook to mixer and turn on lowest speed. Slowly add flour mixture until dough ball forms and pulls away from side.
Turn mixer to speed 2 (no higher) and let kneed for 5-8 minutes
Take dough out of bowl and kneed a few times by hand
grease mixing bowl with 1 TBS of oil.
Shape dough into ball and place in bowl. Turn ball to fully cover in oil.
Place damp towel or plastic wrap over bowl and place in over with light on. (Do not turn the oven on.)
Allow dough to rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Take dough out and punch down
Kneed a few more times by hand
Shape dough into loaf place in greased and floured loaf pan
Return to oven and allow to rise for another 30 minutes or until 1 inch above pan.
remove from oven and preheat to 350.
Bake at 350 for 30 min. It is done when you tap the top and it sounds hallow
Allow to cool on wire rack

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Yummy Hand Scrub

I found a handscrub online and decided to try and make it. Oh my, it is yummy. I love it and it is all natural. I think this is going to make wonderful Mother's Day gifts, if I can wait that long to give it away. Below is the recipe, try it I think you will love it!
1 1/2 c sugar
1/3 c Kosher salt
zest of large lemon (you could do any citrus)
1 c of Olive Oil (cheap stuff)
10 drops of orange essential oil (optional)
mix together and store in a jar. This recipe makes about 4 small canning jars.

Friday, May 1, 2009

What Happened To The Old Me?

I am beginning to wonder if Frank is thinking, "What happened to the person I married." I don't think he is thinking this in a negative way, just curious. Lately I have suprised myself at the things I am trying out and enjoying. BTW, this is all Anna's fault for getting me started with cloth diaper (JK, love ya Anna!)
Actually it all started when I decided to make T's baby food. People ask me all the time why I do this. It takes very little time, maybe 2 minutes every few days and seriously I would not want to eat that stuff out of a jar. Don't get me wrong we buy jarred baby food, but I make everything I can fresh and he loves it.
Then came the cloth diapers, suprisingly easy, fun and GREEN! This is my new shopping addiction, I think Frank has figured out it is probably not less expensive than disposibles.
Then I started thinking of other things in our house that were not so green. From that came the laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent and all the other cleaners followed. The cleaners really made me feel good about what I was doing. There is a sense of accomplishment every time I get to walk by the cleaner aisle at the store and not buy anything.
Now I find myself researching 2 different things, one making my own soap and the other is making my own bread. The soap issue come from T and I haveing sensitive skin and I want to find another fun use for my essential oils. When I started researching the soap it seems very time consuming, so for now I think I am going to buy some natural soap (I found some I think I am going to like alot). The bread thing I have wanted to try for a long time. I think it would be fun, but I have to admit I am a little intimidated. I am going to conqure it this weekend, I think. Dont hold me to that!
Now that I have gotten completely off topic, I know I have changed alot in the past 9 months. You could have never convinced me a year ago the things I would be doing now and the fulfillment I get from it.