How I Brought Bread Into Existence

I learned how to make bread today! I was about to make my amazing carmel rolls, had the yeast done [i still don't always get it to rise properly] and had the milk scalded. Then, the unfortunate happened. There were no eggs in the fridge! I had checked all the ingredients aside from the obvious things a kitchen should have before I started, because well...let's face it, there isn't a grocery store for at least 30 miles. I frantically searched for two eggs. I dashed to the fridge downstairs with hopes high. No eggs. I called neighbors looking for donors. [really i just dialed my aunt but she wasn't home sadly] I resumed my quest for eggs. Oh, how I wish we still had chickens!! I even looked in the freezer. By this time, I was mad with cooking fury.

Then I gave up. Took the pot off the burner. Went back to boring dishes. "My day is just RUINED," I thought. What a terrible way to start the day! But then Betty Crocker started whispering ideas to me. I looked up bread recipes. I had never made bread before. Rolls, sure, but BREAD?! How intimidating. All I could think of was Grandma's Bread and never being able to measure up to that standard. But I was desperate. What could I lose? I already had the yeast done, and the milk scalded. Might as well put it to good use.

And VOILA!

Two loaves were born.

I promise it was two, but I didn't take pictures until after the boys got back from school and basketball practice. I'll let you in on a little secret. Teenage boys like to eat. A lot.

Denium Apron

So I've been on a sewing kick lately. Interesting, since I haven't done it before. But after coveting longingly looking at aprons on etsy, I decided to make one for myself. So I took an old pair of jeans that don't fit anymore that I have outgrown, random fabric that was intended for a skirt that never happened, and a shirt in the goodwill pile. Put it al together and VOILA!! After four years of crocheting I finally learned how to sew. The shirt made an awesome belt, and jeans backwards make awesome pockets.

               

Kuchen

Today, thanks to my fabulous Aunt Susan, I learned how to make kuchen. If you don't know what that is, let me inform your kuchenless mind (I pity you) of the wonders of custard pie. I was shocked how many people at Judson were oblivious to this delicious German piece of fabulous. I was equally amazed at how easy it is make kuchen.
The custard is half-and-half, flour, sugar, salt, and eggs. Make a sweet dough and put in the pie plate, then chocolate chips/peaches/or whatever your heart desires (I'm going to try raspberries from the garden!) unless you want a plain custard kuchen. Then pour the custard over the pie, and sprinkle with cinnamon. Throw it in the oven and devour the delectable wonderment.

I have an excuse!

I thought this picture captured the fury of cleaning.
The work just explodes when you start.

I truly do apologize for not posting camp pictures yet! I have yet to actually look at all of them (I am currently labeling all 10,000+ of my pictures as a result of updating to LightRoom3). Now for some reason, my family likes to eat and that results in dishes. And for some reason, my family likes to wear clothes, so that results in laundry (I can't get by with a load every other weekend, like I do at school). And for some reason, we have decided to clean (most) every corner of our house for my grandpa's 80th birthday that we are having at our house on Saturday. And cleaning, as we all know, results in chaos. Everywhere. I've never quite understood it, but for a house to get cleaner, it needs to get dirtier first.

Not so easy.

So I was in Fargo with my mom the other day, with way too many errands. We were running through Sears when we saw this comforter on clearance. It was 200 dollars, but we got it on major clearance for 30 dollars! :) It's a more funky pattern than I would have chosen, but that's okay. Makes me feel like I'm on safari! :)

So, today I decided to take off the five blankets I was substituting for a comforter. And the bed skirt and pillow sheets I have had since 7th grade. It's so lovely to have a new fluffy comforter!! However, I soon found out it wasn't all loveliness. It was quite a process. 

1) Take off mattress and prop against door.

     --Scream as it falls on top of you

2) Fit the king sized bed skirt on the queen sized bed frame.

     --Carefully wrinkle the skirt on the corner, artistically

3) Try to throw mattress on frame without moving said fabric.

    --Amazed that it worked without destroying a lamp

4) Dig in a pile for QUEEN size sheets.

    --Discover a pair that somewhat matches

5) Brings out pillow sham covers from bag.

    --Shocked they are as big as a toddler

6) Stuff three pillows inside each sham.

7) Grab two other pillows for color.

8) Throw the psychadelic comforter on bed.

9) Disapointed that all that work for the bed skirt is covered up by the huge comforter.

Oh! I finally got curtains for BOTH windows! I live in the basement, so I consider this quite exciting!! :)

Spring Break

Picture it. Spring Break, 2010. Going from 40 degree weather in Illinois to...lower 30s in North Dakota. It's the best ever. Today I made two batches of carmel rolls and did lots of cleaning.

My family has many socks! :-)