Bread, bread, everywhere!

Well, yesterday I made some Strawberry Rolls to take to our monthly mom's get together and my kids were hoping for leftovers, but alas, they got scarfed down lickety split. So, I assured the kids (Curlylocks especially) that we would make replacement rolls today. This began this morning with cinnamon roll dough being mixed up. Somehow it snowballed (breadballed?) into homemade soft pretzles and bagels as well. I was shocked at just how easy it was to make homemade bagels. Lots of little steps, but it actually kind of fits nicely with homeschooling life. Work a little, knead a little, work a little, shape the bagels, work a little, etc.

The recipes for bagels and pretzles I found at www.thefreshloaf.com. I saw this link on a blog here the other day (I'm so sorry, I don't remember who posted it... it was in a comment), checked it out because I love baking bread, and was thrilled at the tutorials there for things I've always deemed too difficult to try myself (bagels and pretzles being at the top of that list).

I am so excited because I've been trying to make more things from scratch lately that seem to cost a ridiculous amount at the grocery store, especially considering what they're made of. Some examples... Refried Beans, Salad Dressing, Bread products, and Popcorn. These things are so easy to make from scratch, yet cost sooooo much at the store. Well, I'm on to 'em!! If you too are looking for simple recipes for these types of items, stay tuned... I'll post some of my new tried and true faves soon.

Mmmm... I smell bagels almost done... gotta run!

Oh!! But I found a fabulous post on a friend's blog about Invisible Mothers!! You must go now and read it! It will change your entire mood!!

Menu Monday

Skating in under the wire with this one, but at least it's still Monday! :) The good news is that you get an immediate review of the first recipe! Lovely!

Sunday -- Out to lunch and popcorn for dinner
Monday -- Mini Canneloni Bake with dinner rolls (this was good, but I'd amend the recipe to just one box of chopped spinach, 1lb of ground beef, and double the white sauce)
Tuesday -- Nachos (with leftover taco fixin's from last week)
Wednesday -- Fajitas
Thursday -- Potato Soup in the crockpot, some sort of fancy Valentine's dessert... any ideas??
Friday -- Homemade Pizza
Saturday -- Leftovers

My Birthday!

Wow! I can't believe that's it's my birthday already. The entire youth group sang to me last night and of course lots of church friends made a point of calling me "old lady". I guess because I'm finally 30 and most of them have known me since I was 19 and getting married. Most women can't seem to stand big birthdays, but this one feels good to me. I guess "twenty-something" always sounds so young when you've got three kids and the oldest is 9.

Plus... I think we earn our birthdays. I can't imagine ever lying about my age. First of all, you just eventually end up looking like a really OLD 29 (or whatever age you're pretending to be), second, no one ever really believes you, and third, I think lying about your age is like discounting everything that God has done in your life that year. I am thankful for all the years He has given me and what He has accomplished in me -- why would I want to take that away??

Just some reflective birthday thoughts... :)

Menu Monday

Well, here I am late again with my menu plan... but at least I've stuck to it so far! : )

Sunday -- Roast, Veggies, Salad and Garlic Bread (this roast was sooooo good!! I'll be using the rub again for sure!)
Monday -- Fish Sticks, Froz. Veggies, Cornbread Stuffing and Salad
Tuesday -- Swedish Meatballs over Egg Noodles and Salad
Wednesday -- Beef Barley Soup (with leftover roast)
Thursday -- Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with leftover soup
Friday -- Homemade Pizza
Saturday -- Tacos

Yes indeed... it looks like I'll be having grilled cheese sandwiches for my birthday dinner. ;p We don't have plans for anything fancy because building a house is *expensive*, plus the best birthday present ever!! We're hopefully about 4-6 weeks away from being done and then I can really start going crazy with garden planning and chicken coop building!