Friday, November 13, 2009
Today I am thankful for......
A nice warm home.... Especially when I know that there are many people living on the streets.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
FREE Toys!! Perfect for the holidays!!!
Ebeanstalk is a website dedicated to selecting great, safe learning toys and toys for a 1 year old. They rely on the opinions and feedback of bloggers and moms around the country. Also their team of child experts help to pick out unique toys...but you be the judge!
Take a picture of your little one playing with a toy, and email the picture to emily@ebeanstalk.com. It's just that easy.
Be 1 of 10 lucky winners to win a $50 gift certificate at ebeanstalk this holiday. Entries will be chosen on their cuteness-level.
Privacy ensured! Entrants will not be spammed. Do not send your address for privacy purposes - just email and the FIRST name of your child.
For everyone: All blog readers will receive a 10% discount at ebeanstalk of any purchase. Enter the code ebeanstalk100 at the cart!
Take a picture of your little one playing with a toy, and email the picture to emily@ebeanstalk.com. It's just that easy.
Be 1 of 10 lucky winners to win a $50 gift certificate at ebeanstalk this holiday. Entries will be chosen on their cuteness-level.
Privacy ensured! Entrants will not be spammed. Do not send your address for privacy purposes - just email and the FIRST name of your child.
For everyone: All blog readers will receive a 10% discount at ebeanstalk of any purchase. Enter the code ebeanstalk100 at the cart!
Egg Harbor Bread
I made this bread on Tuesday. It was so yummy! It was pretty easy - even though there are 5 risings. This makes a great sandwich bread! I think this is my new go to bread recipe! Thanks Norah!!!
Egg Harbor Bread
Bernard Clayton's New Complete Book of Breads
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon salt
2 1/2 cups hot water (120-130 degrees)
2 tablespoons butter, room temperature
5 to 6 cups bread flour, approximately
2 packages dry yeast
1 egg, beaten, mixed with 1 tablespoon milk
2 medium loaf pans, greased
In a bowl dissolve sugar and salt in the hot water. Stir in the butter and set aside.
Measure 3 cups flour into the mixer bowl and add the yeast. Blend. Slowly pour in the liquid, using the mixer flat beater. Beat for 2 minutes.
Add flour 1/2 cup at a time. Attach the dough hook and add the flour to form a soft mass.
Add flour if necessary to make a soft, elastic ball that will form around the revolving dough hook and, at the same time, clean the sides of the bowl. Knead for 10 minutes.
The dough has 5 risings before it is made into loaves-the first time for 30 minutes, and 15 minutes each for the remaining 4.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and set aside until dough doubles in volume, about 30 minutes.
Turn back the plastic cover and punch down the dough with extended fingers. Turn the dough over. Replace the plastic wrap and set aside for 15 minutes.
At 15 minute intervals, punch down the dough 3 more times.
Turn the dough from the bowl and allow it to rest for 4 or 5 minutes before dividing into 2 pieces.
Shape each piece into a ball. Flatten with the palm into an oblong roughly the length of the loaf pan. Fold lengthwise, pinch the seam together, tuck in the ends, and drop into the prepared pans. Press down with the hand to force the dough into the corners.
Cover the pans with greased wax or parchment paper and put aside until almost triple in volume. The dough should rise 1 1/2 inches to 2 inches above the rim of the tin in about 50 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees about 15 minutes before baking.
Brush the loaves with the egg-milk wash, and place the pans on the middle or lower shelf of the oven. Bake until the loaves are a golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes, and test done when rapped on the bottom crust with a forefinger. For a deeper overall brown, remove from the pans and return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes.
Remove from oven and allow to cool on a metal rack before slicing.
Egg Harbor Bread
Bernard Clayton's New Complete Book of Breads
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon salt
2 1/2 cups hot water (120-130 degrees)
2 tablespoons butter, room temperature
5 to 6 cups bread flour, approximately
2 packages dry yeast
1 egg, beaten, mixed with 1 tablespoon milk
2 medium loaf pans, greased
In a bowl dissolve sugar and salt in the hot water. Stir in the butter and set aside.
Measure 3 cups flour into the mixer bowl and add the yeast. Blend. Slowly pour in the liquid, using the mixer flat beater. Beat for 2 minutes.
Add flour 1/2 cup at a time. Attach the dough hook and add the flour to form a soft mass.
Add flour if necessary to make a soft, elastic ball that will form around the revolving dough hook and, at the same time, clean the sides of the bowl. Knead for 10 minutes.
The dough has 5 risings before it is made into loaves-the first time for 30 minutes, and 15 minutes each for the remaining 4.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and set aside until dough doubles in volume, about 30 minutes.
Turn back the plastic cover and punch down the dough with extended fingers. Turn the dough over. Replace the plastic wrap and set aside for 15 minutes.
At 15 minute intervals, punch down the dough 3 more times.
Turn the dough from the bowl and allow it to rest for 4 or 5 minutes before dividing into 2 pieces.
Shape each piece into a ball. Flatten with the palm into an oblong roughly the length of the loaf pan. Fold lengthwise, pinch the seam together, tuck in the ends, and drop into the prepared pans. Press down with the hand to force the dough into the corners.
Cover the pans with greased wax or parchment paper and put aside until almost triple in volume. The dough should rise 1 1/2 inches to 2 inches above the rim of the tin in about 50 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees about 15 minutes before baking.
Brush the loaves with the egg-milk wash, and place the pans on the middle or lower shelf of the oven. Bake until the loaves are a golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes, and test done when rapped on the bottom crust with a forefinger. For a deeper overall brown, remove from the pans and return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes.
Remove from oven and allow to cool on a metal rack before slicing.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Today I am thankful for.....
My great kids. I have so much fun playing with them and teaching them. I love watching them try new things and experience new adventures.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Seeing Is Believing
Last year we did this and it was so fun! My kids were excited to the pictures of Santa actually in our living room on Christmas Eve.
This is great for kids of all ages!
This is great for kids of all ages!
Today I am thankful for....
My husband. He works so hard to provide a good life for us. A life where I am able to stay home and be a great mother (try) for my kids.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Compare Prices at Home....
I recently became aware of a fairly new website called Pebble.com which makes finding a product and price shopping a whole lot easier. You simply type in what you're looking for and it brings up a list of stores that carry that product along with the price. For example, one of the hot news toys is the Zhu-Zhu Hampsters (you just watch people are starting to fight over them!) typing Zhu Zhu will brought up this. I typed in my mineral foundation and was able to find it for less than half what I've been paying.
What's great about Pebble.com is it's a search-based online shopping comparison site that has a Q&A forum integrated in each product results page so users can ask other users questions about a particular product and get an answer right away. Most consumers make purchase decisions without getting all the information they need, which is a huge detriment in our current economy. But with Pebble.com users can get all the information they need to buy products and shop for the lowest prices online.
Check them out the next time you're searching for something and it will help you find the best deal available online.
What's great about Pebble.com is it's a search-based online shopping comparison site that has a Q&A forum integrated in each product results page so users can ask other users questions about a particular product and get an answer right away. Most consumers make purchase decisions without getting all the information they need, which is a huge detriment in our current economy. But with Pebble.com users can get all the information they need to buy products and shop for the lowest prices online.
Check them out the next time you're searching for something and it will help you find the best deal available online.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Green Bananas
With a recent produce co-op I received what I thought were bananas that were just not quite ripe. I wanted over a week and they were still green. Some friends on Pinching Your Pennies were discussing these bananas.
After a bit of research I found that they are "Green Bananas" They will not turn yellow. I cut one open (the skin is very thick) and tasted the raw fruit and it was not good! But after my research I knew it wouldn't taste good -- YET.
I sliced the bananas thin and cooked them in a couple tablespoons of olive oil and then I just started experimenting with flavors. I ended up seasoning them with just bit of salt, black pepper, paprika, cumin, garlic, honey, and a splash of Tabasco.... YUMMY!!
They turned out pretty good. I have never had anything like it before, but I know what I will do next time I get non-traditional bananas.
This is another reason that I love getting produce from co-ops. Sometimes you get things that you may not have tried otherwise and they end up being something that you really like!
After a bit of research I found that they are "Green Bananas" They will not turn yellow. I cut one open (the skin is very thick) and tasted the raw fruit and it was not good! But after my research I knew it wouldn't taste good -- YET.
I sliced the bananas thin and cooked them in a couple tablespoons of olive oil and then I just started experimenting with flavors. I ended up seasoning them with just bit of salt, black pepper, paprika, cumin, garlic, honey, and a splash of Tabasco.... YUMMY!!
They turned out pretty good. I have never had anything like it before, but I know what I will do next time I get non-traditional bananas.
This is another reason that I love getting produce from co-ops. Sometimes you get things that you may not have tried otherwise and they end up being something that you really like!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
New Design --- Need to post more!!
I am hoping with my design I will find new desire to post more.....
What do you want me to write about? I need inspiration!!!
What do you want me to write about? I need inspiration!!!
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