Monday, March 10, 2008

Doing What we LIKE to do...

Is there ANYTHING BETTER than Homemade Bread with Homemade Grape Jelly on Top? I don't think so, and apparently Bryan and Tate agree with me.

We go through BREAD so fast at out house it's incredible. Between the three of us... We eat approximately 3-4 loafs a week. So that means that Tate & I get to bake bread just about every week and a half. WE LOVE IT THOUGH!




Tate's getting really good at kneading and forming the loafs. I usually give him his own "little dough" so that he can make it with me. He seriously has the technique down!

Here is my recipe:

Delicious Whole Wheat Bread
(Adapted by me/From SHAR'S Kitchen & Bosch)

Ingredients:

6 C. Warm Water, Approx. 115 Degrees
2 Tbsp. Salt
1/3 C. Vital Wheat Gluten
2/3 C. Canola Oil
2/3 C. Honey
3 Tbsp. Dough Enhancer
3 Tbsp. SAF Instant Yeast
11 C. Hard White Wheat Kernels

Preparation:
Grind hard white wheat kernels in mill.

Directions:
Place water, salt, oil, honey, dough enhancer, vital wheat gluten, yeast, and 8 cups of freshly ground flour in bosch mixer. Use the momentary switch (m) to mix well. Turn the machine to speed 1 and continue to add wheat flour only until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl. When you can see the sides pull clean as well as the dough coming clean from the bottom of the bowl you know you have enough flour.
*I almost always use ALL of the whole wheat that I ground
Knead on speed 1 for 10 minutes. If you feel your dough is too dry, simply add a few tablespoons of water to moisten. (always pulling the sides clean) if dough starts sticking simply add a little white flour to take up the moisture.
Oil your hands, remove dough from mixer onto a slightly oiled counter, divide your dough into 4-5 large loaves depending on your pan size. Shape loaves, and place in a well greased or sprayed (pam) pan, never use oil. Cover with a dry paper towel and let rise until dough has risen double or approx. 2 inches above the rim of the pan. This will take from 30 to 60 minutes depending on the room temperature.Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Cool on cooking racks before putting into bread bags. The bread can be frozen up to 30 days without freezer burn.


Shar's Kitchen & Bosch in Mesa, offers FREE bread making classes.
Click HERE for a schedule.

Saturday, March 8, 2008

My Story


So, I've never really blogged about this-probably just in case it would come across "negative" or sounding like "poor me". But lately, I've had this impression that I should write about it. Maybe there's someone out there that could benefit from reading this, but I'm sure that it is probably just for myself. So here goes...


As most of you already know, I've been having "baby problems" for several years now. By "baby problems" I mean infertility+miscarriages+a still born baby (she had anencephaly which is a severe neural tube defect, and she didn't survive). In the past seven years, I've been diagnosed with endometriosis, ovarian cysts, low progesterone, breast fibro adenomas, irregular ovulation, thrombophilia (genetic blood clotting disorder that makes me miscarry) as well as a few other minor things.


I consider it a MIRACLE that Bryan still loves me after all of these crazy health problems. Also, I feel SO BLESSED to have been able to bear Tate. He has definitely been our little miracle! According to my doctor, with everything going on with me that month, it was nearly impossible for me to conceive when I did!


Knowing that it would probably take a little while to get pregnant again, we began ttc when Tate was just tiny still. We've been trying now for about 3 1/2 years, and obviously still no baby. But, I'm fine in fact I'm great about it, and here's why:


About a year ago now, I was pretty discouraged with "baby issues". I remember sitting in church one Sunday and thinking about all of my trials and feeling sorry for myself. I began to say a silent prayer asking for strength, when all of a sudden the most beautiful feeling I've ever experienced came upon me. I felt as if H.F. was hugging me and telling me that all was well. I knew at the very moment that he was aware of everything that I was experiencing.


Even though it's been a whole year since this experience, and I'm still not pregnant. I can still remember vividly that feeling of love that I felt. I know that Heavenly Father loves me individually. I can honestly say that I'm grateful for the challenges that I have, because without them I wouldn't be the person I am today!


My cousin Rachael, is compiling short stories of women all over the world who have had experiences such as this where they have felt "God's love for them". Check out her blog HERE, or to email her your story click HERE.

I Have a NEW Nephew!

His name is Benjamin Don Manning. He was born on Wednesday, measuring 8 lbs. 10 ounces. I think that he is just too cute! Congrats Jonathan & Carrie. You can read more about him HERE.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Just in Case You Haven't Heard...


Have you all heard of Sister Savings? I just learned about it not too long ago, and it is already saving me $ !!! Besides being FREE, my favorite part about it is that Sister Savings compiles ALL of the weekly sales from the different grocery stores in our area (She actually does AZ and UT) into an easy to print list. I can then bring that list with me when I go shopping, and even though I HATE WALMART, I LOVE THAT THEY AD MATCH. So, that's where I typically go.
I also LOVE that Sister Savings has an entire page dedicated to Menu Ideas based off of the "on sale items" for the week. I love to cook, but sometimes it can be hard for me to get ideas of what to cook-so this is great!
Click on the picture above to enter "Sister Savings Website"

Hair Makeover

So, I thought that this was something fun! I've always wondered what I would look like as a blond or with really short hair. Now I know... Try it out HERE.

Maria as Ashley Olsen
Maria as Jennifer Aniston
Maria as Jennifer Lopez
Maria as Katie Holmes

Maria as Mandy Moore
Maria as Victoria Beckham

Maria as Maria Menounos

Funny but out of all these, I think that I like me as Ashley Olsen best, but I don't know that I could ever really do it. It would be just too different!

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Advice Please!

Click on the picture to enter SUNKISS POOLS Website! I'm sure that you've all noticed the picture & link on my blog for SUNKISS POOLS. Well, I'm happy to say that I'm just about completed with the website (for now). But, I'm wondering if you could help me... I need some feedback (both good and bad), so that I can improve upon the website. Please take a minute if you will and let me know what you think. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Weekend Happenings...


The highlights include:Saturday 5:15 AM-Going with the Young Women to do Baptisms at the Temple

Saturday 1:20PM-Making a TON of Grape Jelly with my friend Dayna

Saturday 7:35PM-Playing Raquetball with Bryan

7:40 AM-Helping Tate get his tithing ready

Sunday 5:50PM-Bryan making our delicious SUNDAY DINNER of Hamburgers

(I have the BEST Husband!)

Sunday 6:20 PM-Drinking "Abuelita" Hot Chocolate (Yum, Yum)