Saturday, September 25, 2010

The Beginnings of Fall

What beautiful weather around here! I am antsy to get out all of my fall wear but it still gets too hot in the day and I know I have to wear it all winter… blah! It is all down hill from here Als!

I spent the day working on some more projects… I am sure that I will have LOADS of posts once Christmas has passed. I am SO excited for what I accomplished today. I also took the leap and made my own laundry soap using the recipe from my cousin and her friend here. I used some lemon and lavender EO because that is what I had, but I would like to try some other EOs too… like something woodsy. Yum! Some thing that I wanted to add to the information is that it made 2 gallons for one batch and, according to Camille, is about 28 loads. She said it amounts to about a penny a load, but I got about 4 cents. Either way this is a STEAL! I got my EO at Sunflower Farmer’s Market for a good deal since they were having a sale. It took me about 30 mins to make the batch! Thanks Camille!

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Friday, September 17, 2010

projects

They are coming out my ears! I can’t stop them… but I LOVE it! I can only show you some of them since a lot are going for presents and I wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise for you who are receiving them.

Abi ready to go swimming? In the nude?

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Last Saturday we went on the Provo Canyon trail and it was so nice and fun to be together as a family!

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My new camera strap from the tutorial herewith variations of my own.

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Something I am SO excited about… don’t you love the cute fabric?

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My new floral arrangement for my living room.

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Look what came in the mail yesterday!!! It’s finally official!

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In words relating to that… I want to let my family and friends know how much all your support has meant to me during my dancing and school endeavors. After a much deliberated and prayerful month, I have decided to be finished dancing for the time being. As hard as this decision has been to make, I know it is the right thing. The Lord is pleased with my progress and is satisfied where I have been and made it to. I am SO grateful for the experiences and friends that I have made. It was truly dreams come true!

I am so ready to learn and do other things too! Being mom has been awesome, but I have also taken on learning Spanish and learning about aromatherapy right now. But what is the best about all this… I am staying at home to do these things! Love it!

Saturday, September 11, 2010

bagels

This is such an easy recipe and so good! Bagels that are home made are so much better than anything I have ever bought. To add a bonus- we priced them out and they cost about 17 cents each! Better than anything you can find at the store. Plus, you know what’s in them, you can make your own toppings, and what I like to do, make two batches and freeze the other half for after your hubby eats them all! It can be daunting looking at these instructions, but it truly is easy. I love having Abi help roll and shape the bagels too. Great kid friendly recipe!

Abi and Clarissa’s Bagels

 

Ingredients

2 cups of warm water

4 tbsp of sugar

2 packets of active yeast (4 1/2 teaspoons total)

5-6 cups of flour (try whole wheat!!!)

2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons of olive oil

1 large egg yolk lightly beaten with 1 tbsp water

Directions

In a large bowl combine water, 3 tbsp of sugar, and yeast. Stir and let stand until foamy, about 5 mins.

Gradually add flour 1/2 cup at a time, until a stiff dough is formed.

turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead with your hands until smooth and no longer sticky, about 5 mins. This should be a very stiff and heavy dough.

lightly oil a large bowl with 1 tsp of oil and place the dough in a bowl, turn to coat. Cover the bowl with a damp clean kitchen towel and set aside to rise in a warm, draft-free area until dough has doubled in size, about an hour.

Remove the dough from the bowl and punch dough down with your fist.

Divide dough into 12 equal pieces and form each piece of dough into a ball. stick you finger in the middle and make a hole. using your fingers, smooth the top and sides of the dough and pull the sides gently apart to enlarge the hole and make a circle about 3 inches in diameter. Repeat with remaining pieces of dough.

Place the bagels on a lightly floured surface, cover with a damp clean kitchen towel and set aside to rest (about 15-20 minutes).

Position the rack in center of the over and preheat the oven to 400*F. Lightly grease a baking sheet with the remaining teaspoon of oil.

In a large, heavy pot bring 12 cups of water to boil with 1 tbsp of sugar.

carefully put bagels in boiling water  in batches, leaving enough room for them to expand as they cook (usually 3-4 a batch). cook for five minutes, turning once midway through with a slotted spoon.

using the spoon, remove the bagels and set aside on a paper towel to drain.

transfer bagels to the prepared baking sheet with the slotted spoon and brush each with the beaten egg mixture. sprinkle the toppings if desires and bake until golden brown and crusty (25-30 minues).

Transfer to bagels from oven to a wire rack to cool when done.

Optional Toppings

Poppy seed

sautéed onions

sesame seeds

kosher salt and pepper

shredded parmesan cheese

craisins (we add while mixing dough)

sugar and cinnamon

Makes about 12-15 bagels

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Temple

Tonight Abi and I ventured to the Provo temple grounds for dinner and some photos. The flowers were GORGEOUS!!! We call it the “special place” and that is what Abi knows it as. She kept saying, “Temple House of God. Place of love and beauty.” It was so sweet… we then came home and made banana bread together

 

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