My recent trip to bread land. Wait, when did I come back?!

I am getting into bread so much I cant stand it. I could chew on a slice right now, I just don't have any! It is late, so I am vacillating between starting a starter for tomorrow, or just going with the ol' stand by. I found a great couple of loaves in my Joy of Cooking that my dear mother gave me for Christmas a couple years back. It makes such a great sandwich bread. Then there is the four loaves whipped out in two hours that I could, well, whip out. Then there is the focaccia that is great for gnawing on. I want to venture into making "sponges" that sit overnight. I also want the bread to be practical, as my main reason to use it is for toast, Pb and J's and the occasional slather with garlic butter to go with pasta.

Ah, who cares? Wanna come over for some bread and sop? Oil and vinegar? Butter anyone? Oh, how about some lovely homegrown tomatoes and basil? You bring the mozzarella.

Anyone have a great recipe that I could try?

Ezek 4:9 "Take thou also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentiles, and millet, and fitches, and put them in one vessel, and make thee bread thereof...

The day is great, so far!

I know things are what you make them, and today is going great. Steve was home last night, and I could sleep worry free. There is something about having a man in the house that makes everything alright. I think I might have dreamt that the doorbell rang, I bolted out of bed, heart pounding, and exclaimed "I think the doorbell just rang! " Steve was so good about the whole thing. He said something about the dogs barking, and I told him Ziggy doesn't hear so well anymore. The man got up and proceeded to check if indeed the doorbell rang. It felt so good not to have to check it myself, I was so frightened. It ended up being a dream after all, because no one was there, but I was so grateful that He was there to check the things that go bump in the night.

This morning I got to sleep in. Olivia decided as soon as the sun is up its her time to shine. I got to keep her in the bed until at least 6, but that was it. Steve again saved the day by telling me to put my head back down (in the fashion of telling the kids the same way when its time to sleep) and HE got up and took care of Olivia and even took her while he took a shower! I got her after smelling so clean and yummy. She was wrapped up all snug in a towel and nursed herself back to sleep! Steve kissed me good bye and Ian came in shortly thereafter and we all cuddled until nine!!!! NINE O CLOCK!!!

I felt so good that I made homemade pancakes, brave huh? They turned out so yummy. The kids got a treat also, I gave them some peach nectar that I got from the dollar store and they both were chatty Kathy's, until I served them the pancakes. It was so cute they both were so busy shoveling food in their face it was quiet for a couple minutes! The recipe I used was alright, but something interesting happened (it always does) that the brown sugar I used didn't melt into the batter, but when it cooked left pockets of brown sugar goodness. So, worth another go at the recipe. Next time I think I will double it.

So, I know all of you are waiting for the granola bar report. They turned out so yummy, but, the wax paper STUCK TO THEM! I pealed and pealed yesterday to get most of it off. This recipe is so worth another try. I just need to figure out how to make it with out the paper. I want to make another batch of bread, some poohs bread, or something like that, but I need more flour. I should go to Costco to get a serous bag of flour.

I am going to try this, this morning.

I wish I had a camera to post my pics, but I will definitely let you all know how it went!

http://www.joyfulabode.com/2008/04/11/homemade-granola-bar-recipe-no-high-fructose-corn-syrup-in-these-bars/

The Good-O-Meter

I thought this vid was really well done. Enjoy.

Im back in the saddle again!

I'm back, but I seem to lack the energy of actually forming a coherent thought. I think there might even be steam escaping from my ears from all the effort. I am tired and worn out, and it's not even noon yet.

I think I am going to have to run errands when Steve gets home and I am NOT looking forward to it.



There was a fire this morning, about twenty minuets away, but the smoke smell was so awful when I went outside this morning that I thought the fire was in the neighborhood. I was sort of concerned and had flashbacks of being in San Diego, for BOTH of those big fires. I don't think that the fire will get out here, but it stunk so bad none the less.



I think I will post some videos to express myself instead of trying to explain the swirly thoughts that are mine lately.

Untill then...........

So mad at myself right now!!

I was re-reading some of my past post, to, well, read to see if I was a blundering idiot. Turns out I am and, illiterate at that. You would think I would use the blasted spell check. I KNOW I am not a great speller, and my typing is as good as a third graders. But, HELLO??? LEAH??? Push the little ABC button please.


For all who don't care, thanks. For those who do, ie, my father and the occasional English major, please forgive me and feel free to assist in some editing. I got A's in college English, really!

The start of my day.

I am not a morning person naturally. I don't think I have ever been. My mother told me when I was a babe, I would stay up all night. Not crying or fussing, just content to sit happily, awake at night. She said that she even would go to bed and leave me awake in my crib, not crying, just awake, playing or what not. Maybe I wasn't a morning person then either, but I am definitely not one now.

I would love to get up early and start the day with the sun, while it is cool outside and the heat is not unbearable. Ideally, that's the way people should live in the desert, to "beat the heat." I just cant do it. Even if buy some fluke chance I get up before 7 I cant function and sit around thinking "man, it's early" and get nothing done. So inevitably I end up doing outside chores while its warm (ha ha warm?) and think poorly of myself that I cant get it done sooner.

That being said, at a quarter to eight, I should post and get outside to water my garden. Well, after I finish my coffee!


Did I mention I procrastinate too?