Today would have been my brother's 42 birthday.
My brother was confident, a practical joker, a tease, tall and slim with dark, curly hair, a hard worker and played just as hard, he was a talented carpenter, good with horses, a charmer and could be equally difficult on the opposite end of the spectrum, he was protective of me although I never really knew it at the time, he was well-liked, athletic, strong-willed, and my older brother. I remember his birthdays when we were kids...one year we got our puppy, Chief, on Jim's birthday...there were several years that the party entailed a weiner roast, cake, jello, ice cream and me following his friends around hoping to be included and not ignored as all little sisters that are 7yrs younger are.
For the past several years, I would go horseback riding, often alone, sometimes with a friend, a sort of remembrance for Jim and his life. This year though I wasn't able to do that. So, here I am writing a little bit about Jim in hopes that he's not forgotten...not by me or anyone that knew him. And maybe I can make the time this week to spend some a moment or two outdoors in an activity that Jim would have enjoyed too...like baseball, or horseback riding, or camping or just barbequing with friends.
I do wish Jim could have met my husband and boys. They would have loved him, had so much fun with him. One day they'll know him through my memories, when they're older.
So, happy birthday brother, wherever you are.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Birthday Remembrance
Today would have been my brother's 42 birthday.
My brother was confident, a practical joker, a tease, tall and slim with dark, curly hair, a hard worker and played just as hard, he was a talented carpenter, good with horses, a charmer and could be equally difficult on the opposite end of the spectrum, he was protective of me although I never really knew it at the time, he was well-liked, athletic, strong-willed, and my older brother. I remember his birthdays when we were kids...one year we got our puppy, Chief, on Jim's birthday...there were several years that the party entailed a weiner roast, cake, jello, ice cream and me following his friends around hoping to be included and not ignored as all little sisters that are 7yrs younger are.
For the past several years, I would go horseback riding, often alone, sometimes with a friend, a sort of remembrance for Jim and his life. This year though I wasn't able to do that. So, here I am writing a little bit about Jim in hopes that he's not forgotten...not by me or anyone that knew him. And maybe I can make the time this week to spend some a moment or two outdoors in an activity that Jim would have enjoyed too...like baseball, or horseback riding, or camping or just barbequing with friends.
I do wish Jim could have met my husband and boys. They would have loved him, had so much fun with him. One day they'll know him through my memories, when they're older.
So, happy birthday brother, wherever you are.
My brother was confident, a practical joker, a tease, tall and slim with dark, curly hair, a hard worker and played just as hard, he was a talented carpenter, good with horses, a charmer and could be equally difficult on the opposite end of the spectrum, he was protective of me although I never really knew it at the time, he was well-liked, athletic, strong-willed, and my older brother. I remember his birthdays when we were kids...one year we got our puppy, Chief, on Jim's birthday...there were several years that the party entailed a weiner roast, cake, jello, ice cream and me following his friends around hoping to be included and not ignored as all little sisters that are 7yrs younger are.
For the past several years, I would go horseback riding, often alone, sometimes with a friend, a sort of remembrance for Jim and his life. This year though I wasn't able to do that. So, here I am writing a little bit about Jim in hopes that he's not forgotten...not by me or anyone that knew him. And maybe I can make the time this week to spend some a moment or two outdoors in an activity that Jim would have enjoyed too...like baseball, or horseback riding, or camping or just barbequing with friends.
I do wish Jim could have met my husband and boys. They would have loved him, had so much fun with him. One day they'll know him through my memories, when they're older.
So, happy birthday brother, wherever you are.
Dump Doughnuts
Today, all the boys and I took our old dishwasher to the city recycling center (aka...the dump). On route, W started asking for food...Mcdonalds, fries, milk, juice, crackers, more Mcdonalds, more fries. By the time we had deposited our old dishwasher and were driving through the checkout at the dump, he was sobbing with big tears rolling down his litle red cheeks, barely coherent asking for McDonalds' fries. At the window to pay, the teller tried to cheer him up by talking to him, to which W responded by crying even louder & hiding his face. And then the magic began. The gentleman at the window asked me if W would like a sticky doughnut as he had a large box of them from Tim Horton's. B & I agreed it would be okay, and the tears stopped immdediately. Who would have expected this? Let me tell you though, there was peace in the land... and B & I were laughing heartily. Thank you generous gentleman!
So, this is the tale of "Doughnuts at the Dump."
So, this is the tale of "Doughnuts at the Dump."
Dump Doughnuts
Today, all the boys and I took our old dishwasher to the city recycling center (aka...the dump). On route, W started asking for food...Mcdonalds, fries, milk, juice, crackers, more Mcdonalds, more fries. By the time we had deposited our old dishwasher and were driving through the checkout at the dump, he was sobbing with big tears rolling down his litle red cheeks, barely coherent asking for McDonalds' fries. At the window to pay, the teller tried to cheer him up by talking to him, to which W responded by crying even louder & hiding his face. And then the magic began. The gentleman at the window asked me if W would like a sticky doughnut as he had a large box of them from Tim Horton's. B & I agreed it would be okay, and the tears stopped immdediately. Who would have expected this? Let me tell you though, there was peace in the land... and B & I were laughing heartily. Thank you generous gentleman!
So, this is the tale of "Doughnuts at the Dump."
So, this is the tale of "Doughnuts at the Dump."
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Hello? Is this the baker with the best buns in town?
Loaves, baby, best loaves in town!
Today my favorite husband called asking about the best buns in town, in the midst of my first bread making from scratch session. I finally swindled Mom's recipe out of her head. She had kindly loaned my her recipe binders and there was not a bread recipe to be found! Now, my mom was the queen of scratch cooking/baking...even crackers, mayo, etc. She has a recipe for cheese whiz! But the bread recipe was not there and she made bread every other week, at least. Anyway, after a phone call or two the recipe is mine and today was the first attempt. It's delicious, flax and whole wheat, but half the batch didn't rise very well, so there are some cute little loaves. Oh well, the house smells yummy and the little loaves are tasty. This may even become a regular occurence....we shall see.
(I'll post the recipe later...right now I need to get a certain 2.5 yr old off to "nap")
Bread from my Mom's Head
2 cups hot water + 1TB vinegar or 2 cups miok
1/4 cup sugar
4 tsp salt
1/4 cup oil
8-10 cups flour
1 cup hot water
2 tsp sugar
2 envelopes yeast
Mix the water and yeast together, sprinkle top with sugar. Let sit 10 min. Brisk with fork.
Stir first 4 ingredients. Add yeast mixture. Beat 4-5 cups flour. Mix with hands until smooth. Add another 4-5 cups flour until smooth. Brush top with butter, cover with tea towel.
Let rise in bowl 1 hr until doubles in size. Shape into loaves and place in greased pans. Cover and let rise another 1 hr.
Bake at 400 30-35 min. Brush with butter as soon as out of oven.
Note: For whole wheat use 1/2 and 1/2 WW four & White flour. Can add a couple of tablespons of ground flax seed as well.
Today my favorite husband called asking about the best buns in town, in the midst of my first bread making from scratch session. I finally swindled Mom's recipe out of her head. She had kindly loaned my her recipe binders and there was not a bread recipe to be found! Now, my mom was the queen of scratch cooking/baking...even crackers, mayo, etc. She has a recipe for cheese whiz! But the bread recipe was not there and she made bread every other week, at least. Anyway, after a phone call or two the recipe is mine and today was the first attempt. It's delicious, flax and whole wheat, but half the batch didn't rise very well, so there are some cute little loaves. Oh well, the house smells yummy and the little loaves are tasty. This may even become a regular occurence....we shall see.
(I'll post the recipe later...right now I need to get a certain 2.5 yr old off to "nap")
Bread from my Mom's Head
2 cups hot water + 1TB vinegar or 2 cups miok
1/4 cup sugar
4 tsp salt
1/4 cup oil
8-10 cups flour
1 cup hot water
2 tsp sugar
2 envelopes yeast
Mix the water and yeast together, sprinkle top with sugar. Let sit 10 min. Brisk with fork.
Stir first 4 ingredients. Add yeast mixture. Beat 4-5 cups flour. Mix with hands until smooth. Add another 4-5 cups flour until smooth. Brush top with butter, cover with tea towel.
Let rise in bowl 1 hr until doubles in size. Shape into loaves and place in greased pans. Cover and let rise another 1 hr.
Bake at 400 30-35 min. Brush with butter as soon as out of oven.
Note: For whole wheat use 1/2 and 1/2 WW four & White flour. Can add a couple of tablespons of ground flax seed as well.
Hello? Is this the baker with the best buns in town?
Loaves, baby, best loaves in town!
Today my favorite husband called asking about the best buns in town, in the midst of my first bread making from scratch session. I finally swindled Mom's recipe out of her head. She had kindly loaned my her recipe binders and there was not a bread recipe to be found! Now, my mom was the queen of scratch cooking/baking...even crackers, mayo, etc. She has a recipe for cheese whiz! But the bread recipe was not there and she made bread every other week, at least. Anyway, after a phone call or two the recipe is mine and today was the first attempt. It's delicious, flax and whole wheat, but half the batch didn't rise very well, so there are some cute little loaves. Oh well, the house smells yummy and the little loaves are tasty. This may even become a regular occurence....we shall see.
(I'll post the recipe later...right now I need to get a certain 2.5 yr old off to "nap")
Bread from my Mom's Head
2 cups hot water + 1TB vinegar or 2 cups miok
1/4 cup sugar
4 tsp salt
1/4 cup oil
8-10 cups flour
1 cup hot water
2 tsp sugar
2 envelopes yeast
Mix the water and yeast together, sprinkle top with sugar. Let sit 10 min. Brisk with fork.
Stir first 4 ingredients. Add yeast mixture. Beat 4-5 cups flour. Mix with hands until smooth. Add another 4-5 cups flour until smooth. Brush top with butter, cover with tea towel.
Let rise in bowl 1 hr until doubles in size. Shape into loaves and place in greased pans. Cover and let rise another 1 hr.
Bake at 400 30-35 min. Brush with butter as soon as out of oven.
Note: For whole wheat use 1/2 and 1/2 WW four & White flour. Can add a couple of tablespons of ground flax seed as well.
Today my favorite husband called asking about the best buns in town, in the midst of my first bread making from scratch session. I finally swindled Mom's recipe out of her head. She had kindly loaned my her recipe binders and there was not a bread recipe to be found! Now, my mom was the queen of scratch cooking/baking...even crackers, mayo, etc. She has a recipe for cheese whiz! But the bread recipe was not there and she made bread every other week, at least. Anyway, after a phone call or two the recipe is mine and today was the first attempt. It's delicious, flax and whole wheat, but half the batch didn't rise very well, so there are some cute little loaves. Oh well, the house smells yummy and the little loaves are tasty. This may even become a regular occurence....we shall see.
(I'll post the recipe later...right now I need to get a certain 2.5 yr old off to "nap")
Bread from my Mom's Head
2 cups hot water + 1TB vinegar or 2 cups miok
1/4 cup sugar
4 tsp salt
1/4 cup oil
8-10 cups flour
1 cup hot water
2 tsp sugar
2 envelopes yeast
Mix the water and yeast together, sprinkle top with sugar. Let sit 10 min. Brisk with fork.
Stir first 4 ingredients. Add yeast mixture. Beat 4-5 cups flour. Mix with hands until smooth. Add another 4-5 cups flour until smooth. Brush top with butter, cover with tea towel.
Let rise in bowl 1 hr until doubles in size. Shape into loaves and place in greased pans. Cover and let rise another 1 hr.
Bake at 400 30-35 min. Brush with butter as soon as out of oven.
Note: For whole wheat use 1/2 and 1/2 WW four & White flour. Can add a couple of tablespons of ground flax seed as well.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Plum Stumped
Help! One would think if you can buy pomegranate juice, that plum juice would be on the shelf as well. Not prune, but regular plum. Such as the Sunsweet Plumsmart brand. I cannot find it. Today I tried the two organic markets and neither had it in stock, even after calling one which advised me that they did and then upon arrival they did not...frustrating.
W is to be taken off dairy altogether and plum juice is recommended by the Drs to ensure that the ear infections don't flare up again as he's right on the cusp with a bubble in each ear. So close to a clean bill of health and at the same time so close to another infection.
So, I'm the plum juice hunt is on. If anyone has some insight into this search, any tips would be most appreciated.
Thanks!
W is to be taken off dairy altogether and plum juice is recommended by the Drs to ensure that the ear infections don't flare up again as he's right on the cusp with a bubble in each ear. So close to a clean bill of health and at the same time so close to another infection.
So, I'm the plum juice hunt is on. If anyone has some insight into this search, any tips would be most appreciated.
Thanks!
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