Artisan Bread

I have been on the hunt for a good bread recipe for a while. I use one that I kinda like...but I ran out of gluten a while ago and keep forgetting to pick it up at the store, so the bread comes out crumbly right now. Then I came across Artisan Bread on Pinterest...you know, the one that says you can make a loaf with no kneading for $.40?!?! Um, YES! I want to do that! Yesterday I gave it a try, and it was so-so. Today I did it again and it is better. I think I might be onto something here! One recipe makes 4 loaves, but you only have to bake one at a time, having fresh bread everyday would be pretty cool, right?

And yes, I know you're supposed to wait until the bread is cooled until you cut into it...but I just couldn't wait!!! :o) The only thing that could've made it better would've been large amounts of Nutella spread on top. YUUUUUUM!

This is the blog that based their recipe from the technique they read in Artisan Bread in Five Minutes A Day. I did not read the book, but the blog was super helpful...thank you! I used 1/2 whole wheat, 1/2 white flour, so it was most likely a few more pennies than $.40/loaf, but I'm impressed enough to continue perfecting and working on the technique.

Does anyone have a good bread recipe they swear by? Or am I the only one who makes their own bread in the supermarket day & age? ;o) C'mon! Try this! It's so easy and you'll thank me. Be creative in your kitchen and try something new...then tell me how it went!

I'm thinking Broccoli Cheese soup tonight...with crusty bread...

Books

The past week has been a very hard one...I'll just put that out there as honest as I can. But, I've been in a few conversations and have been asked about some resources I use, so I thought I'd pass on what I've been passing on to others around me this week.

We homeschool, so most of the conversations have been from that viewpoint, but I think these would pertain to non-homeschoolers who are looking for more for their kiddos and for themselves.

 Honey for a Child's Heart - Gladys Hunt
Classic books and challenging reading to introduce at every age. I used to wander my library and look for quality books, now I take this book and find exactly what I need. If you are a lover of literature or Classic Education, you'll love this book.

First Art: Art Experiences for Toddlers and Twos - MaryAnn F. Kohl
This is my go-to art book right now. It has so many different ways of painting, drawing and molding...all which I can pull together quickly. My girls have loved everything I used from here. She also lays out for each "lesson" what you'll need, how to present it, and what the messy factor is going to be - I consider this INVALUABLE right now ;o)

Daily Focus - Janet Tatman
I feel a bit biased putting this on here because Janet is my sweet, dear friend. But I'm telling you...this is such an encouraging devotional. As moms we fight battles that are only ours, but also as homeschooling moms we fight battles that others do not. I swear she had a Nanny Cam in my house this week and knew exactly what was going on...it was like a friend sharing God's truth with me each day as I read the small blurb. If you don't want to commit to purchasing the book, you can sign up and have a new devo in your inbox each morning.

Ok...that's all for now ;o) Just thought I'd share!

Year of Creativity (and moderation...if you must know)

Months ago (while I was doing laundry), Rohn & I got into a conversation about being creators instead of just consumers. In the years of having babies, raising babies, chasing after babies, baby laundry, oh...and now HOMESCHOOLING (the lovely time-sucker it is)...creativity has somehow taken a back seat around here. Because you see, it is so much easier to just buy a thing than to use brain power to make something new from something old, repurpose, or just learn to do something you don't know how to do! So, we decided right then that we MUST embrace creativity and get back on the train of life-long learning. Also - did I mention we became "friends" with Dave Ramsey 2 years ago and live on a budget now? A budget that doesn't just let you buy any old thing all the time...having limits also makes you creative (post on how I learned to cook because of this coming later).

So...first thing I dove into was making hairbows for my girlies. Because I LOVE sweet, little, big, southern-looking, preppy, bows and baretts and headbands and options! Must have options ;o) Say hello to Hobby Lobby, Pinterest, and 1/2 price sales on rolls of ribbons. I totally enjoy making bows and felt flowers and corker bows and tshirt headbands and other such fun things. Creativity is FUN!

Next on the list? Knitting. I see beautiful scarves, hats, baby leg warmers, and other such sweet (did I mention warm?) things for money...lots of money. Remember the budget? ;o) Yes, let's not forget. Again off to Hobby Lobby for needles & yarn (on sale, mind you!). Love that store...it sucks me in and I have to purposefully leave. Yesterday one of the girls in our homeschool group came over and taught me how to cast-on, and the knit stitch. I can knit anything right now as long as it is the knit stitch...purling coming at a later date...and then I'm totally diving into cable...oh I love cable!

That's just of the pretty part...the edges are not so pretty, or straight. But hey...I'm still a knitting virgin here, and I don't think it looks too horrible!!! If it does, please do not imply so in the Comments. Thank you. Here's my current list of things I want to knit.

Baby Legwarmers - CUTE! As soon as I learn to purl, I can do the ribbing...very exciting! Audi's chunky legs would be sooo sweet in these. I would want to eat her up...even more than I already do!

This very cool chunky scarf using the KNIT stitch...I can do that!!! Seriously...how Anthro looking is this infinity scarf?

Source: sparkling-glitter.tumblr.com via Debra on Pinterest

And then I figure I'll want to dive into a long, emotionally powered project...maybe a soft blanket for my girlies. This one looks so cute and bright.

Source: abbysharp.tumblr.com via Debra on Pinterest

Last note...remember the moderation bit in the title? I could do this knitting thing all day right now. I find it so relaxing and satisfying...but then laundry wouldn't get done, the girls would be eating crackers and cereal for meals, and schooling would be totally non-existent! All things in moderation...even really fun, creative, productive things.

What about you? Have you been learning something that is really enjoyable and creative? Do I need to learn it too? ;o) Share!!!!

It's All Lies

January 1 came and went without resolutions for me this year...because I had already thought about it and didn't want to make them! Ha! But, in thinking about them, I decided I wanted to be intentional about a few things this year that I've let slip. One of those things is reading 1 book per month...which just seems ridiculous to say because I used to blow through books in a WEEK! That, my friend, was before children, and DVR, and Facebook, and Pinterest...and evidently I lost the joy and discipline of sitting down to read. I want to change that.

First book on my list for the year: Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Have you ever read a book that is hard to continue reading because you keep on getting convicted and have to stop and talk things out with God...sometimes a few days of talking before you realize there is no use fighting it, His words are true and you're in the wrong. Oh yes...that is this book. In fact, I'm a little concerned I might not finish it in January because I keep on having to stop and get right with God! Which I guess is a good thing, right?

Ok...that was the back story...onto the reason for this post. Two Things...

The Lie: I don't have time to do everything I'm supposed to do.
The Truth: There is time in every day to do every thing that God wants me to do. (Ps 90:10-12, Jn 17:4)
Sad truth realization to me is that I often feel this way, although I might not say it aloud. But really, there is SO much to do in a day/week/month! And I always feel like I'm behind! The author pointed out something I've never thought of. When Jesus' work on earth was finished, he said "I have finished the work which thou gave me to do." And he did it in 3 years...don't you think he probably had the biggest TO DO list the world has ever seen? He did what his Father asked him to do...not what his disciples or the multitudes thought he should do (like overthrow the Romans)...just what God wanted. Also, he didn't take on anyone else's list, he had his orders and finished what God gave HIM to do.
The Takeaway - I can't be concerned with what everyone else thinks I should be doing, and put their items on my daily agenda. God has given me the items He wants me to accomplish each day, and I have to know what is and is not on the list. Oh that's so hard for me!!! What are the true priorities in my life right now and how do I need to go forth each day to accomplish them? I've started thinking about that each morning and asking for guidance and wisdom to know the difference between His agenda for me...and others that come into my day.

The Lie: A career outside the home is more valuable and fulfilling than being a wife and mother.
The Truth: There is no greater measure of a woman's worth or success than the extent to which she serves at the heart of her home. (Titus 2:4-5)
In all openness, I will share a pet peeve. When I am asked what I do for a job, I usually brace myself as I answer, "I stay home with my girls." Responses to that phrase tell me sooooooo very much about the individual. My favorite response is, "Wow! I could never do that, but good for you." See, I actually chose this a long time before kids were even in the picture for us, and I STILL struggle with that choice somedays. No one tells me "Great job on the laundry!" or "How did you make this? It's fantastic!" or "Your husband's shirts look so crisp!" But for years I'd get congratulated on a proposal I put together for my boss, or flowers for each Admin's Day, or publicly recognized for a job well done in some area. Funny thing...no one recognizes the work I put into my family when it is the hardest work I've ever done. Instead I get comments like, "I'd be so bored if I had to stay home each day" or "My kids would drive me crazy if I was with them all day." And let's just be real...there are somedays I would love to be back in the workplace. Lots going on, talking to adults instead of playing referee, working lunches at nice restaurants instead of messy, loud, lunches of kid-friendly food that I made, inhaled, coaxed, and then cleaned up. Love the quote the author uses:" It is true that many "perfect jobs" may come and go during the childrearing years, but only one will absolutely never come along again - the job of rearing your own children and allowing them the increasingly rare opportunity to grow up at home."
The Takeaway: ((Whew...anyone still reading this??)) This SAHM thing, that's on my agenda everyday!! And even though I might've made the "choice", it is my current calling. The tasks sometimes seem menial and insignificant, but the love and training I can give my girls, the support and respect I can give my husband...there's not a menial, insignificant thing about it. Others will always inflict their opinion onto my life, but only one person's opinion matters, and He is very clear about the true priorities in life. I may not get to have the perks a double income gives, but I am never going to regret this choice during this chapter in my life.

So talk to me...if you're still here... #1-Are you prioritizing your day or are you letting it run you over? and #2-Are you letting the worlds' opinions of your life outweigh God's plan for you? What lies have you been believing? It's a judge-free zone! I've just let you in on just how much prayer I need ;o)

We Love Potato Soup

I made potato soup for New Years Eve. I know what you're thinking, but let me tell you...it was GOOD! I think we're going to be calling it Loaded Baked Potato Soup. Just a warning...if you are squeamish of bacon grease, you're going to have trouble with this recipe. My grandpa would LOVE this recipe! But once you taste it, you'll convince yourself it's ok to indulge once in a while. That's how good it is! Rohn even took a picture. Who thought potato soup would be so loved?

Focused Perspective

I made cinnamon rolls today...loads and loads of cinnamon rolls. My feet and back hurt, but oh my gooey goodness the rolls are delish! While I was rolling out dough, adding copious amounts of butter and sugar, and making cinnamon deliciousness, the girls were napping. I personally love naptime. Calm comes back to the house and I can let my mind wander and think about things that are un-child related if I wish. Since it's Christmastime, I've been reading through the Christmas story and each time I read it, I am struck by something "new". Here's what hit a chord this time around...

When Herod figured out the wisemen weren't coming to tell him where Jesus was, he sent out his soldiers and they killed every child 2 years and under in the area Jesus would've been living at that time. I find it interesting that the writer records how the mothers responded...they cried out, they wouldn't be comforted. As a mom of a 2-year-old, that brought me to tears...and is again at this moment. To think of my Audrey taken from me because of the selfish desires of someone else to rid the known world of another king...it's unthinkable. Yet hundreds of mothers lost their children for this very reason. I'm guessing they were all Jewish, and had all heard of the Promised One coming. Did any of them realize that in losing their child, they were gaining a King? Would that bring comfort to know the Messiah, their long awaited Emmanuel had come? In my own heart, I would've battled wanting the immediate joy...my child...versus the big picture...knowing that the Deliverer was here and would reunite us. Could I put aside my immediate gratification (per se), for the knowledge that the Saviour had come and with Him, the message of eternal hope for all? Ouch.

I want to say "Yes". Yes, of course I would give up my child - willingly - so that others could come to know the Jesus I know, to hear of eternal life, to live life with hope that is unexplainable. How utterly unselfish of me. I can't though...I can't say that. There is only one who gave His only child so we could have life. God the Father. I can't compare my sense of parenthood to His...Ha! Laughable. He is LOVE. I have so much to learn.

What bigger picture should I be focusing on this Christmas season? What instant gratification is getting my attention instead? My girls don't have new Christmas dresses...and I feel really badly about this. They won't have a pretty, new, frilly dress to wear on Christmas morning to church. But, wait...what? Yes, dresses...that's what it all cumulated to in my mind as I rolled cinnamon rolls. Here's the thing: They will most likely not remember what dress they wore, or that I went to store after store looking for a 2T & 5 that coordinated...but not matched ;o) But I think they'll remember if I took time to be with them, played with them, read to them, discussed the true meaning of Christmas, loved on them, if I was patient in my responses, excited to share the true joy of this season. That's the big picture. The fact that they'll be wearing the same dresses they did last week at their program will mean nothing to them in 10 years...or 10 minutes. How does the true meaning of Christmas get lost? Even on those of us who desire to keep the focus on Christ and His unselfish gift of love? I lose perspective so easily...I should focus on THAT more often.

The Church Piano

The day my mom introduced me to the church piano, she got a free babysitter. Living next door to the church had very few perks, but this was one of them. At any time of the day or night, I could go next door and play as loud or weird as I wanted to on a baby grand piano...and no one complained. In fact, I don't remember many times that my mom even sent someone over to bring me back home! It would just be me and the glorious sound of the baby grand in the large space of our auditorium...bliss for a girl seeking acceptance and unable to find it in any other venue.

Tonight I went up to our little church we recently joined and played the piano. It was like stepping back in time as I entered the dark building -- so many memories came flooding back. The echo of the auditorium as I walked down the aisle. The sounds a building makes when no one is there to hear them. The freeness to sit and empty my soul through my fingers. Turning the lights off as I walked out the back, and the blast of cold air when I opened the door. Each one of these things took me back to the place I grew up. Like looking out into the blackness of the auditorium and knowing my dad had snuck upstairs into the overflow and was sitting listening as though it was his own private concert. Hitting the keys in frustration when I couldn't get the timing right or memorize correctly for my recitals. Crying, laying my head down by the sheet music as I wondered how I was going to get out of the mess I made, and how could I do this to my Jesus? Listening to the stillness and asking God questions about life. Playing my heart to my Friend because my words seemed so trite. Stepping out the back door and watching to miss the patch of ice that always forms there. The clear, crisp air would snap me back into reality and I would enter the house and my world again.

I bonded with that building. The hours I spent there, the dilemas I worked through on the piano bench, the elation and misery I experienced there...so much of myself was found and identified in that auditorium sitting on a black piano bench. I was a child. I was a teen. I grew up. And when contemplating where to get married, I knew. My church. Yes, it was the place my dad was pastoring, but that's not the actual reason I chose it. The same walls that I ran to for solace and consolation, I wanted for my wedding day.

Thirty minutes of piano playing went by like nothing tonight. In fact, I was surprised to hear my timer going off because I had only played two songs. But that's what a church piano affords me that nothing else does...a place to be off the clock and alone, and maybe to find what has changed since the last time I opened up to a church piano.