I must share

Today has been a very productive day.  4 loaves of PERFECT bread made.  Sliced & in bags ready to enter the freezer.  Then I decided to pull out a favorite recipe I have had for years and make it for Family Home Evening tonight.  So I thought I would share.

Glazed Cheese Croissants

Prep Time 30 minutes

Total Time 3 hours

Yield Makes 8         

Ingredients

•   1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
•   3/4 cup small-curd cottage cheese
•   1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for rolling dough
•   1/4 teaspoon salt
•   Sugar Glaze (see below)

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, combine butter, cottage cheese, flour, and salt. Shape into a disk, and wrap in plastic; refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 375  degrees. On a well-floured surface, roll dough out to a 14-inch circle. Cut circle evenly into 8 triangles. Roll each triangle up, from wide end to tip, turning ends of roll in to form a crescent shape. Place croissants 3 inches apart on a rimmed baking sheet (to catch any drips); bake 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown.Transfer to wire rack. Cool 10 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, make Sugar Glaze: In a glass measuring cup, add 2 teaspoons milk by 1/2 teaspoonfuls to 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, stirring until glaze is of a drizzling consistency. It should be thin enough to pour while still thick enough to coat croissants. Drizzle over croissants. Serve warm, or let cool to room temperature. Store at room temperature in an airtight container, up to 2 days.

Happy Family Home Evening!

Colors of Fun

Today we made these.  I think they turned out pretty neat.  My kids love to play with playdough, and for a few ingredients from my pantry we came up with these fun balls of color.  I found the recipe on a super fun blog here.  We are learning to make things from home for much cheaper and the kids are really enjoying our adventures together.

[Almond Milk]

Well the Almond milk turned out perfect! I have used it in smoothies and cereal. No one knew the difference except Carlee. I've made 3 batches. We will be keeping it on our menu. And from what I've read there are so many vitamins and minerals.

[Summer]

I don't know about anyone else, but I can't wait till summer. I love the freedom it brings. Plus, I am excited for the baby to get here. There is just something magical about summer. I love when we fill up the pool, make our own Popsicles, the smell of wet grass, and how much sidewalk chalk we go through. (Can you tell I've been thinking about this?) I am really looking forward to it.

[Third Trimester]

Well, I am finally in the 3rd trimester. I am starting to feel it now. I feel pretty good, I just have a hip that gives me trouble once I get bigger. I have almost gained my goal weight, which in NOT good. I am really going to have to be careful this last few months. It is hard on my varicose veins to gain a lot of weight. I sound so old, with all my body complaints! But over all I feel pretty good. Just tired a lot. I have to go back in next month for a 3rd sonogram. The first time they couldn't see the right side of his heart, so we went back, and everything looked great. This time they are concerned maybe one of his feet are turned in slightly. So back we go. It is fun to see the little guy though. Yesterday was a lazy day for me. I read most of the day. Today, my house needs my attention!

Almond Milk

Well, I checked my mail yesterday on my way up to town, I was taking the kids to the library. To my surprise my produce bags were there. I was so excited! I was meeting Jeremy at the grocery store after the library. For the past 2 weeks we gave ourselves a little challenge to not buy anything packaged and processed. Our only exceptions are tortilla chips, corn tortillas, and Dairy. I was so happy when our grocery bill was only $65.00. We price match from all the ads. I am so glad I have a husband who loves to look at ads and go grocery shopping!

Today I was reading a post from one of my favorite blogs, http://www.progressivepioneer.com/ and she posted a recipe for almond milk. Ever since I got my Vitamix I have wanted to try making my own. So I am soaking the almonds and I'll tell you tomorrow how it turned out. Below is her post in case anyone else has ever wanted to make it!

http://www.progressivepioneer.com/progressive-pioneer/2009/04/almond-milk.html

My other Happy today is we are having a Stake Relief Society Meeting tonight. It has to do with the temple. They will be having dinner too! I am happy to get away for a spiritual uplift!

A Cupboard Full of Bread

I can happily say my cupboard is full of homemade bread this week. It has been way too long since I had the time. But now that my house is cleaned out, I have a lot of time for things like bread baking without feeling overwhelmed. This has been a good week so far, with many more things on my list of To Do's!

My lovely Bread rising to the occasion

Recipe
Whole Wheat Bread
5 1/2 cups of Very Warm Water. I let my faucet get really hot.
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup Honey, Raw Sugar, Agave, or any sweetener of your choice
1 cup Gluten Flour
1 1/2 T. Salt
3 T. Dry Yeast
12-14 Cups Whole Wheat Flour

I put the water, salt, sweetener in the mixing bowl of my Bosh. I mix till dissolved. Then I add my yeast and make sure it has all gotten wet. Then I let the yeast do its things till it is foamy. About 10 minutes. Then I add my oil and Gluten Flour and start my mixer on low. Slowly add my flour till is starts to pull away from the edges. I don't use all my flour. I like light fluffy bread. Then let it knead for 10 minutes in mixer. Then I mold it into loaves( I do 4 loaf pans so it is tall and makes great sandwiches)and let rise by my oven on warm till it is as big as I am wanting. Then Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.

I love this recipe and it works every time. Thanks Sandra for sharing! She is my inspiration in homemade cooking.

HELP

I've caught a case of LUNCH BURNOUT!! I need lunch ideas. Everyday I really dread lunch time. We very rarely have leftovers from dinner. I guess I am raising 5 little pigs. Or you could give me dinner ideas that are great for leftovers. I decided I need a cook. Jeremy said no. So I won't be getting one. I would love to know what your eating at your house......

Too Much Chocolate Cake

There are always blessings from service!

When I was helping at Sister Norma Natividad's funeral last Monday a cake was brought in by a sister, that I could not resist tasting. I have to say it was one of best cakes I have EVER tasted! I saw the sister at another activity and told her I HAD to have to recipe. Well, lets just say, I've made it twice in one week! I gave it away once, to another Chocolate lover. Below is the recipe. I am printing a warning: Cook at your own risk of addiction!

Too Much Chocolate Cake

ingredients

1 devils food cake mix
1 pkg of instant chocolate pudding mix
1 cup sour cream
1 cup oil
4 eggs
1/2 cup warm water
2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Directions

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. Mix all ingredients together except for chocolate chips. Stir them in last and pour into a well greased bundt pan. The mini bundt pans are fun too.

3.Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool cake for at least 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours in pan before placing onto a plate. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.

Please let you know if you try it, and what you think!