bread chronicles v.1

I am on a mission.

Neatly put, in a nutshell, this means a whole plethora of things...primarily that

I have found a new "kick" or hobbie (for lack of a better word) that I am

obsessed passionate about. The Mr. would more likely categorize this

as possessed but any-who.

What is this mission you ask?

Bread.

that's right, good-old, country unifying, butter-lovin,

homemade

bread.

I have to find the perfect homemade loaf.

why?

Don't ask me that...

because, other than, I cannot pronounce

half of the "ingredients" (much less tell you what they actually are)

that are in a store bought loaf of bread....I can't really tell ya.

Although, that is a pretty good reason if you ask me.

I love baking.

I love teaching my kiddos to bake.

....and they love eating it

....

well most of the time.

I need 

(wow, aren't I dramatic)

to find the perfect homemade bread recipe

the kind that goes well with everything...

dress it up, dress it down...

ya know, the little black dress of breads.

So.... I tried my first (of the year) made from scratch bread 

( I've made other semi-scratch, or frozen already this year but not completely from scratch)

today. 

I was meh, sort of pleased, I guess.... it is the kind of bread you like to eat with

a thick spread of salty, fresh butter. This bread is not sweet at all...not in the slightest...so I wouldn't say

I have "found the one" yet...but it was a decent start. Also, since I didn't have any yeast at all on hand (silly me) it worked out well....since it is a no-yeast , no knead bread. Really simple and also great if you have a yeast allergy.

Here is the recipe ( which I found here )

Ingredients

3 cups flour ( I used whole wheat)

1/2 teaspoon of salt

3 teaspoons of baking powder

I tablespoon olive oil ( I used grapeseed oil)

2 cups water

Directions

Before you start mixing, pre-heat your oven to 400F or 200C. 

You can make different variations by changing the type of flour, 

add sugar for a sweeter bread or different types of oil. 

The really adventurous might try adding some favorite herbs for a more exotic flavor.

* I did add a pinch of salt, in retrospect I would have added more.

Try it if you like...and let me know what you think....especially those of you who have less of 

a sweet tooth and lean toward the salty side....

Happy Baking!

Oh ps! If you have an amazing bread recipe....blow my comments up!!! I want to try it out so

share, share, share!!!!

14 Days of Valentine's: Baked and Shaked Goodies

Friends! There are only 4 more days until Valentine's Day!!! Can you believe it?!?!

We are gearing up at our house for a fantastic "love" day...and hope you all have a love-filled day as well!

I want to thank the lovely Kirsten of One Tough Mother for creating, hosting and sharing this wonderful love inspired project with us! Thanks lady...you are awesome!!!

I have to give you all a teeny-tiny story....

today, 5 years ago...

the Mr. and I started dating...

holy moly

Our very first date was today...

5 years ago...people

where did the time go?

So this day is pretty special in my book...

That makes today even more awesome...!!!!
Love you Mr.!!!!

Ok, enough of the mushy stuff... let's get started shall we?!?

Let me just start off by saying...these cookies are hands down

one of the best I have ever eaten...

and I think you should run to your pantry, grocery, whatever

and make these yourself!!!

Your welcome :)

Ingredients

Red Velvet Layer:
3 1/4 cup flour
2 1/4 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
4 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon red food coloring
2 teaspoons white vinegar

Cheesecake Layer:
2-8oz packages cream cheese, softened (go with the light to help w/calories!)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

 Directions:

Preheat oven @ 350 degrees

In a large bowl, mix together dry ingredients ( flour, sugar cocoa powder, salt, baking powder). In a separate bowl, mix together wet ingredients ( eggs, vegetable oil, milk, vanilla ex., food coloring and white vinegar).

 Combine the two dry and wet ingredients and mix until mold-able...like dough. Remove about 3/4 cup of the batter into a separate container (to be used later) and spread the remainder into a cookie sheet pan...until batter is evenly distributed to all corners (think pizza crust style).  Set aside.

In a bowl (or stand mixer if you have one...I used a hand mixer, hence the bowl) combine your 2 packages of cream cheese and sugar....mix until fluffy... around 2-3 minutes or so...then gradually add the eggs and vanilla mixing well...also about 2 minutes. Finally, add the 3/4 cup of batter (the one you set aside earlier) and slowly work in the pieces...until you get a even pink tint...

Pour the cream cheese mixture over the red velvet base (the one in the pan), evenly distributing it to all four corner with a spatula.

Bake for about 25 minutes (rotating once for full baking coverage)....or until the top layer is firm.

Let cool completely before using the cookie cutters...I used 1 large, 1 medium and 1 small heart shaped cookie cutters...but you can use whatever size you'd like!

Viola!

 Eat, Share & Enjoy!!!

Ohhhhhhh and wait!!!
Did you think the fun stopped there?!?!?

Oh no...!

With the left over (un-heartshaped) pieces...I'm going to show you how to make this....!!!

I know!!! I'm excited too...2 desserts in 1?!?! Can it be?!?!?

Here's what you need:

Ingredients

about 4-5 large scoops of vanilla ice cream (choose your favorite brand)

handful of the left over red velvet cheese cake pieces (you know the stuff that didn't quite make a heart)

1/4 cup of milk (I used almond milk, but you can use whatever kind you like)

Blend the ingredients until smooth...adding more ice cream if needed...

...magical...

...and so delicious!!!

*warning....this shake is a tad sweet...so you may not want it for breakfast...or, you might!
hah...either way...it is a super treat!!!

Enjoy!

****************************

I cannot tell you how excited I am to be participating with this awesome group of ladies!!!
What better way to get together than with 14 whole days dedicated to love?!?!?

Today is day #10 (of course) of the blog hop, so if you haven't checked out the other amazing ladies that came before... go do that now!!! ...below are links to their sites so you can head on over and show them some love too!! Also...there are 4 more days left so make note of the ladies hosting on days 11-14 and make sure you follow along there too!!!

Feb. 1 – One Tough Mother

Feb. 2 – DIY Dreamer

Feb. 3 – Pitter and Glink

Feb. 4 – My Amazing Chaos of Life

Feb. 5 – Measure Once – Cut Twice

Feb. 6 – The Brown Eyes Have It

Feb. 7 – One Tough Mother

Feb. 8 – Pint-Sized Baker

Feb. 9 – J Yipp Photography

Feb. 10 – Bird & Tree (that 's me!!!)

Feb. 11 – Growing Up Gabel

Feb. 12 – Scrapity Anne

Feb. 13 – My Life and Kids

Feb. 14 – One Tough Mother

Here's some link love too!!

Cooked: 16 minutes later...

Loves, I'm not even going to pretend...

today was a day and a half.

I'm spent.

It's awesome to realize that God

kinda gets that...and knows just when to

give us that little pat on the back,

that special little gift during the day...

in the form of a kiddo hug, a sweet husband's

encouraging words...

or a 16 minute shrimp scampi recipe

that my entire little family loved.

loved!

Thank you Jesus, can we get an(other) amen?!?!

Nothing is too small...that He doesn't see

our hearts and wish to see us refreshed,

replenished.

So what am I going to do???

Oh, well share that recipe by golly!

It's the Pioneer Woman's ...

and I am not ashamed to say

that lady is the cat's pajamas.

and if she can make a recipe that will

make all my boys go running for seconds...

well, let's just say I want to run on over to

Texas and give her a huge hug....

You can find the recipe here 

...

Hope you all have made it through this lovely Tuesday!!!

Off to watch a much needed movie with the Mr!!!

A meal, A Plan

I have to admit this.

I am not a throw-a-recipe-together kind of cook...

generally speaking, unless I am in a pinch...

I do better with directions...then, from that, I play around

with the ingredients ( more of something...or less of another)...

I also have to admit that I am a poor meal planner...

I have my go-to recipes...and I do like to try many new ones...

but I usually decide that...well, the day of haha..

My abuela ( my grandmother) sent me the Dec. issue of Rachel Ray Magazine...

(love her!)

...and inside was this little booklet of daily weeknight meals

...a planning guide for a weeks worth of dinners!

Strike me down...it was like gold to gold miner!

Inside the booklet included all the recipes, plus a shopping list for the entire week!

What did I have to do?

Drive to the grocery store and get said food.

Um, yes please.

Also, it cut my grocery bill in meh, half!!!

Yes, half.

I cried too, it's ok.

So here's the deal, go here to get your weekly Rachel Ray  meal guide ...

This lovely recipe pictured above? Well, that is the last recipe for this week... ( since I apparently shop in the middle of the week?) and it was magnificent...I would probably not use bell pepper when I make it next time...and maybe add mushrooms instead...but all around it was amazing...and I ate it for lunch too!

So go ahead... try it out ! Lemme know what you think!

Rachel Ray's

Fettuccine/ Toasted Almond Cream

Ingredients:

 2 cloves garlic ( grated)

12 oz. spinach fettuccine ( broken in half)

8 oz. frozen peas (thawed)

1 small red bell pepper ( I used green)

1/2 cup (2oz) slivered almonds

2 eggs

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Salt & Pepper

1 1/4 cups shredded mozzarella

1/2 lb. thick-sliced smoked turkey ( finely chopped)

Directions:

1. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, add the garlic. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 11 minutes. Add the peas and bell pepper in the last 2 minutes of cooking.

2. Meanwhile, using a food processor ( I actually used a coffee grinder...don't judge...and it worked perfectly) grind the almonds to a fine powder. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup water and process until smooth and creamy.

3. In a medium bowl, lightly beat eggs. Stir in the almond cream, Parmesan, 1 tsp. salt and a generous pinch pepper.

4. Drain the pasta and vegetables, reserving about 1 cup of the cooking water; return to the pot. Add the egg-parm mixture and stir to coat (the hot pasta will cook the eggs). Stir in the mozzarella, smoked turkey and enough of the reserved cooking water to loosen up the sauce.

Viola! Serve and Enjoy!

This recipe was taken straight out of the booklet from the mag...

pretty simple stuff...

Hope you all are having a great Wednesday!

What recipes have you tried lately? Lemme know if you do attempt this one!



Happy Birthday: 3 years in the making....

Why hello, we meet again! lol

All you parents out there, I'm sure you understand how exhausting it is to plan a birthday party....I am

exhausted, but in a good way. I mean, wow, yesterday- 3 years ago... I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy and oh how he has changed my world for the better!

I really feel like just an hour ago I was in a hospital room prepping to have that little angel...and now he is 3 years old! What a gift, you are Luca ♥ You teach me something new about myself everyday, and I love the innocent way you are still able to view this world...don't let go of that too quickly. I have seen you laugh and cry, held you when you hurt and cuddled you when you wanted momma near. You are my little man, my helper, my trusty side-kick. You see through me like no one on this planet and there is no feeling in this world like knowing that you are connected to a child...the feeling only a mother has. I love you, sweet, sweet boy and I am so thankful for these 3 years I have been entrusted with you. Keep your heart open, love freely, seek God and learn from my shortcomings.... Everything else will fall into place.

I never thought I could have such a great time at a kids party...If you would have asked me that 3 years ago I would have laughed at the thought...things do truly change don't they?

We had a great time filled with old friends and family and new friends too! We are so blessed and thankful for all of you who came and were able to share in the celebration of our little boy's birthday!

I would have a post one hundred miles long if I tried to post all the pictures I took at the party, but here are a few pictures to highlight the day!

...here's that birthday boy showing off his new Marines shirt his papa got for him....



...I set up this table to host the presents and the scrapbook page...every year I create a new page for his scrapbook and have everyone write a special little note to the birthday boy...for him to look back and remember...side note: does he not even stand like a Marine....heaven help this momma... :)

...I just have to say...when the Mr. told me he was taking care of the cake, a la making it, I was more than a tad bit nervous...I was scared for life guys... there was no backup plan...but oh man, did he ever pull through...and this birthday cake turned out so ah-mazing! Luca loved it and I sure did too!

....oh my sweet men... what more could a girl ask for??

... my birthday boy... ♥

...singing happy birthday!!!

...his first taste of cake...! Yumm-o!

...this little birdie's first taste of cake too!.... I thought....until the papa confessed he snuck in a piece before this picture was taken lol...so this is the first recorded piece of cake consumption anyway!

We really had a blast...and will probably need the rest of the week to recuperate...lol  Not really, but I do still have train tracks running through my living room as we speak...I don't have the heart to peel them up.... and Luca thinks they'r great...

Happy Birthday big guy! We love you and can't wait to see how much you grow and change throughout this year!!!



On Le Menu....

... Homemade, from-scratch meatballs in my own "special" sauce...

dinner rolls rising in the oven.....

mmmmmm.... I have been waiting all day for dinner...

What's that? You want the recipe?

Let it be known, then...

I may be able to release the secret recipe...

maybe.

In search of wonders....

Finally, I am able to share with you all the photos from this weekend! There were quite a few that I had to go through so it took me a little while.... I think I will do a part 1 and part 2 so you all are on picture overload...cuz I kinda am...so I guess I am stretching it out even more...mwuah-ah-ah-ah..... here is a tiny glimpse into the weekend we had....

the historic area of Summerville had tons of cute little shops, lots of art and crafts everywhere from pottery to knitting! They also had several cafes that had table set out on the cobblestone for customers to sit out and enjoy the weather, which by the way, the weather was absolutely amazing yet again!

there were pretty window boxes full of vibrant spring colors and flowers everywhere! I love this season!

the architecture was so rustic and well, historic....I just love how old things have so much more character.

We saw this little cafe advertising fried pickles (which I have never heard of much less eaten)....

...and we tried it...what the heck right? they were actually good...and I don't even like pickles....

...you can tell who liked them most...but to his defense this look is more like..." excuse me, while I down this pickle before my two year old snatches this one out of my hand!"....because truthfully, Luca loved them most....! He is a pickle man-child. He would have eaten the crumbs if I had let him.

The funny thing is, the people around us, though nice, looked at us like we ( I ) was crazy for taking pictures of fried pickles...well, ok I probably am...but geeezzz people not EVERYBODY has hear of and/or tried one...I mean I consider myself pretty southern if not border-line southern  but I haven't seen the depths of what the south has to offer....apparently.... no frog legs please..... :) Though, the Mr. would probably be all for it ahahahaha!

The outfit I wore was super comfy and though a little too light for the amount of wind there was...YIKES! it was the perfect comfy adventure outfit.... here are my outfit details:

earrings: thrifted

dress: Target

belt: NY&C

sandals: Target

anybody that knows me knows I love Target...but, with that said, I don't usually buy clothing there very often (for me that is)....not sure why, but I will say that my most comfiest outfits of all have come from Target almost every single time....I found this dress there on the sale racks...it was the last one and was marked down to like $7, who would not buy this?!?!?! I don't know but I scored nonetheless.

Tomorrow I will post part 2 of the weekend pics and maybe a couple other ditties.... For now, I think I'm gonna go relax with my fresh cup of coffee and watch some dvr'd shows....shock...I know, I do watch tv...but its usually with one eye open in a mini-mommy coma...ahahaha thank God for dvr...or the only thing I would ever watch is Handy Manny and Mickey Mouse....

Have a lovely Monday Night ♥

Mindless Meals

Last night, I was craving something yummy and healthy for dinner. I also didn't feel much like cooking a huge or extensive meal since it was just for me and Luca. I had a bunch of pre-cut veggies from the chicken kabobs I made a few nights ago so I just drizzled them with a little olive oil, and some salt and pepper and popped them into the oven for about 20 minutes! Viola! Probably one of the yummiest little dinners I have had in a while....and soooo simple! I recommend it especially for you vegetarians out there. The mushrooms especially had a fantastic flavor! What are some of your quick go-to meals when you want to eat healthy?

A lot on my plate

I don't make a huge habit of taking pictures of my snack before I eat it, but today I had to make an exception. I love figs, since I spent a year living in Florida (a long time ago), and yes, this connection does make more sense if you know the story lol. I don't always find really tasty figs, because depending on brand, etc. they all taste different, like any other food- some are not as juicy, flavorful, some have more seeds, etc. But these figs, behold, are the pinnacle of what figs should taste like. At least based on all my fig eating experiences in the past. They were just right, and organic. Even better. Know what else is fantastic? That cup of coffee...oh yes, trust me on this one. I know, it's so moving...(lol).

 Luca and I had a little out-door adventure yesterday (or an adventure in pictures I should say) so I may put a couple pics up of that tomorrow.

Am I not the nicest person you know for putting a yummy snack in front of you to make you super hungry....grrr annoying I know. Sorry, I couldn't control myself.

Happy Food Scavenging!

XoXo

Christmas: the story in pictures {Part 1}

...and maybe a little commentary...just because I can't help myself....

it was cold...so we bundled the kiddies up when we went to my parents

Luca received a singing pony/hobby horse...cutest ever♥

...here's the stationary I made for the Mr.'s grandparents...I call it

"magnolia" lol

the yummy feasting table lol...my mummy is the greatest cook!

I helped a little....but I take no credit for the deliciousness

the tree at my parent's house...9 1/2 ft. tall!

they gave Luca a tricycle....he was in love...the Mr. had to put it together...

haha

...Things this Christmas were a little different...my grandmother went into the hospital suddenly so the whole family didn't get together as usual...they all kind of did their own thing and then each made their way to the hospital to spend time with grandma. It wasn't the same without her, and it just goes to show you what truly is most important on days like Christmas-family.

...once back from the hospital the Mr. and my brother (the cute thing with the phone lol)

spent the rest of Christmas (literally) gaming away! What can I say, it would have been weird to have it

any other way lol...

It was a wonderful day...

I will have more pics (and commentary too haha) tomorrow....

I took so many I have been rifling through them all day..must.edit.them.down! AHHH!

Better too many than too little I say!

Hope you all had a very wonderful day too! Hope you all were with the ones you love...

focusing on the most important of things ♥

XoXO

...and that road always leads home

Ok! We are officially home from all that traveling!

Seems we have been on the go for the past month, but things will hopefully settle down a little after this Christmas weekend.

Don't get me wrong, we have had a blast! Though we were snowed in most of the time, our stay with the Mr.'s family was so fun! The only downside is that the weather forced his parent's graduation to be cancelled. Major bummer. However, we did get them to dress up in their gowns and such to snag some pics and just all-around celebrate their graduation!

here are our graduates!

Another part of our stay there included an early Christmas celebration. The Mr.'s sister and boyfriend came down from New Jersey and, along with his grandparents, we all gathered to celebrate with an awesome Christmas meal!

Though we weren't really expecting it, (since we received presents from them in October) there were some wonderful gifts exchanged...we brought our gifts for them ...I made some pillows and a few other things...and it was a great time!

The Mr.'s mom is so super savvy and creative when it comes to Christmas... I do so love it...This year she had a blanket handmade for my SIL, myself and the Mr's Nana....! I have always wanted one....so I was extremely excited when I unwrapped this gem!!!

(my very first handmade blanket!!!) Isn't it beautiful?!?!?

On Friday, we were finally able to get the car out of the driveway (because of all the ice and snow) so we decided to do a little perusing around town. We went into several little shops, two of them were Ah-mazing antique shops...one was literally 3 stories tall-Heaven! The other was built to look like a barn...and was packed from one end to the other with awesome finds.... We also happened upon the Habitat thrift shop...which just so happened to have their entire stock 50% off....ummmm yes, I will say it, JACKPOT!!! I could have easily spent like $900 and left that place super bare lol...but I restrained myself and chose quality over quantity. My unbelievable purchase? Why this vintage Samsonite travel case for...you-won't-believe-this.....ONE DOLLAR!!! Oh, that's right! This jewel even has the original keys for the lock...! and the lining on the inside is a well-maintained pale yellow, silk polka dot print! Oh My!!!

I am so proud...(eeeeeeekkkkkk)!

Though I had fun, I am so glad to be back home! Now, to get all the Christmas stuff finished ....I cannot believe Christmas is on Saturday...yikes! Hope you all are catching up with all your holiday goodness...

XoXo