Nails Done

My nails and cuticles have very little structure of their own.  One of the kindnesses I have been prioritizing for myself is to keep them reinforced with a layer of acrylic non stop for the last few years.

I think the reason behind their structural issues is this, but I'm not sure as I have never been diagnosed.  My sister has so the genetic prediction on my part is a little more sound thanks to that.  I tried bringing it up with one of my small town health providers and they seemed overwhelmed and didn't want to discuss it.

Anyway, I enjoy the various looks I can try with it.

 

Writing

 Turning to my blog to write used to be an almost daily occurance when I decided to start one in 2007.  I became obsessed with the concept before I started my own probably because I missed writing and an outlet to the world was what I needed, as a stay at home mom of 2--almost 3.

I had moved to a townhouse that was no longer near my friends in a different suburb area.  I started a new pregnancy and was in turmultuous emotions over our whole life changing soon.  We knew this townhouse was simply a money making vehicle and we were soon to move across several states and leave our breadwinner's career behind.  It was a lot!  And I never went anywhere or connected with friends much so I didn't know how to talk out the changes.

Which led me here.  And if you'll indulge some advice I will always give this: write.  Get it out or down somewhere.  I switched to journaling and now have stacks of them filled from the decades I haven't been *here*.  Those became my scripture as I searched for patterns in my relationships and choices and it has been a vehicle to changing those things drastically.

Chocolate Yogurt Oat Muffins

 

1 C oat flour

1/2 C sugar

1/4 C cocoa powder

1/2 t baking soda

1/4 salt

1/2 C chocolate chips

1 egg

1/2 C plain greek yogurt

1/4 melted butter

1/4 C whole milk

3/4 t vanilla

Mix dry and wet ingredients and then fold them together.  Bake in a muffin tin with cupcake liners.  Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes.

Oat Chocolate Cake RECIPE

 

1 Cup Oat Flour (I grind old fashioned oats in my blender)

3/4 C sugar

1/2 C baking cocoa

1 t baking powder

1/2 t baking soda

1/4 t salt

Stir this dry mix together.  Then add:

1/4 C oil

3 eggs

1 C buttermilk

1/3 C water

Beat in a mixer til eggs are well incorporated.  Then pour into greased glass rectangle baking pan and bake at 350 for 22 minutes, or when toothpick comes out clean.

FROSTING:

1/3 C buttter softened

1/2 C cocoa

2 T honey

2 C powdered sugar

3-6 T milk as needed

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls (RECIPE)

Roll Dough 

1/3 C milk

2 T butter

2 1/2 t yeast

1/4 C sugar

1/2 t salt

1 egg

1/2 C canned pumpkin

2 2/3 C flour

Warm the butter and milk and add yeast.  After its softened there, add the rest of the dough ingredients and knead with the bread beater on a mixer.  Knead for 2-3 minutes.  Then oil the dough and cover it, to let rise for 2 hours.

Then roll out dough into a rectangle.  Spread a little butter over the dough and then sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon.  I also added chopped pecans and chocolate chips.  This is optional.

Roll up into a long log and cut the rolls about an inch thick.  Lay out on greased sheet pan and cover to have the second rise.  Let rise for one hour.  Then bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Glaze

One cube cream cheese (8 oz)

1/2 bag of powdered sugar

milk or cream one T at a time

Mix the glaze in a mixer with the whisk beater.  Then pour over warm rolls.

Bobi's French Bread RECIPE

 

1 1/4 C warm water

3/4 T yeast

3/4 T oil

3/4 T sugar

1 t salt

3 C flour

Mix and knead about 3 or 4 minutes in the mixer.  Then (leave in mixer) and cover to rise for 10 minutes.  Then  knead a few times in the mixer and let rise another 10 minutes.  Keep doing this for a total of about an hour.  

Then form into a loaf on a cookie sheet with parchment paper.  Let rise there, covered, around 30 minutes.  Then bake at 425 for 10 minutes, and then at 375 for 20 minutes.

In the loaf pictured I slashed the top and brushed with an egg wash before baking.  It makes it look more store bought, but I don't usually do it because the flavor is great without these steps.

My Mom's BLUEBERRY PIE (RECIPE)

 

Crust:

2 C flour

1/2 t salt

2/3 C shortening/lard

6-8 T water

Beat just until dough clings together.  Roll out.

Blueberry Pie:

4 C blueberries, fresh or frozen

1-2 T lemon juice

1/2 C sugar

3 T flour

Gently stir together and put into a pie shell.  Lightly moisten the edge of the pie shell with water.  Put top crust or lattice on top.  Seal.  Sprinkle top crust lightly with cinnamon-sugar mix.  Place pie tin on a cookie sheet so if any juices escape they collect on the cookie sheet on burning on the floor of your oven.

Bake 375 degrees for 50 minutes.