Fuzzibunz

We got our first pair of cloth diapers in the mail today (thank you, Katie!).

I almost died. I almost die each time I look at them.

They are so cute. Words are not enough.

And soft. I wish my underwear was that soft.

And cute!

And these are just the white ones. I can't wait to get the grape and kumquat ones!

I am going to freak out when I see a baby's butt in these things.

Who knew cloth diapers could be so cute?!

update: in fact, i took one of them to church the next day for show and tell. kids bring their latest electronics to show their friends and i bring cloth diapers. go figure.

cinnamon rolls

let's start with a story.

a baking story.

a few years ago I decided to conquer yeast. I love baking and have spent a lot of time with cookies, pies, brownies, quick breads, souffles, and lots of other fun stuff. However, yeast has always scared me. I knew I needed to start some place. Instead of picking something healthy and useful, like bread, I chose cinnamon rolls. I wanted to be one of those mothers that whips up delicious cinnamon rolls that their children's friends love. I needed to find a recipe and make it so often that it became second nature.

since that decision I've made a lot of rolls. I've tried a lot of recipes. Pudding in the mix, instant potatoes, buttermilk, cake flour, the whole bit. Yet, I've never been satisfied.

I made this recipe last night. It is by far the easiest roll dough I've worked with. My blood pressure rises to dangerous levels when the dough sticks to the counter, but I had no problem here. I don't like cream cheese so I took that out of the frosting and it still tasted great. The finished product is pretty delicious and I'm taking them as dessert to a friend's house for dinner tomorrow.

Give the recipe a try!

mixed emotions

i really like this picture.

it is sad because you can see the destruction in alabama from all the tornadoes. i feel for them.

and that poor man. the AP caption said he was reunited with his dog, coco, after finding her inside his destroyed home. she's brown. coco. get it? cute. the look on his face says it all. he is so relieved she's ok and that there is something precious the tornado didn't take from him.

however, the dog's face says something, too. note the person holding on to her collar. she wants to get the heck out of dodge as fast as possible. she's had enough. she's thinking, 'um, guys, this isn't what i signed up for. i love you, but i don't love living here. i don't understand this whole tornado business, but i don't like it. and ps, why wasn't i in the cellar with you?'

i bet if you let her go, she'd be in san diego with me by morning.

tasty snack

Update: I doctored this recipe, yet again, this morning. I stuck with pancakes, but didn't have enough whole wheat flour and was anti-white flour. Who knows why. I eyeballed my rolled oats and decided to grind those babies in the food processor and use that as flour. What a rebel. They turned out great! Not as much rise as normal, I'm assuming it's from the lack of gluten in the oats, but they had such an awesome texture. I fell in love. As far as how much cinnamon and vanilla I use....well, I don't really measure cinnamon. I love it and add however much I want. Vigorous shakes. I add about a tsp of vanilla.

i've mentioned these super easy and delicious pancakes before.

a friend clued me in to making them with whole wheat flour and using the batter for waffles.

the transition is a good one.

i also add a bit of vanilla and some cinnamon.

as i was packing my lunch this morning, i wanted a different mid-morning snack. i saw these babies in the freezer and had an idea.

toasted whole wheat waffles + warmed mixed berries

turned out great and both are always in my freezer. zapping the frozen berries in the microwave makes a nice simple syrup.

a new favorite for work! high in fiber, too!