The Story of the Little Red Hen

Once upon a time, a little red hen was inspired to make some bread.  From scratch.

She was very blessed that somebody else did a lot of hard work to plant the wheat, water the wheat, and harvest the wheat. This little red hen got to do the fun work!

Hard Red Winter Wheat from my long-term food storage supply.  

She had two grain mills to make the wheat into flour.  She started with the hand-grinder.  It took a few hours between doing housework and letting her two eager helpers 'help' to grind two cups of grain. It was a lot of fun, but after her help accidentally popped the grinder off the counter a few times, she decided to try her electric grinder.

With the electric grinder, she had ground five pounds of wheat into about twenty cups of delicious, whole wheat flour in minutes!  All with the flip of a switch!  The little red hen was so excited to make her bread!

Later that evening, she made three beautiful loaves of honey whole wheat bread for her friends and family to enjoy.  It was delicious by itself, but heavenly smothered in soft and real butter, and fresh honey.

Absolutely heavenly.  See recipe below.

"Who will help me eat the bread?" said the little red hen.

"Not I," said Tanner.

"Not I," said Taylor.

"You know I can't," said Ryan.

Despite all of the help that the little red hen received to accomplish her goal, she will likely be the only one to eat it.   Guess I need to do an extra workout at the end of the day for all of these carbs!  :)

__________

My sister-in-law and mom make whole wheat bread all. the. time.  I finally decided it was time that I use my recent Christmas gift (hand mill) and Wedding gift from my grandpa (electric mill). I hurried to make 4 loaves to deliver to the sisters I visit teach...that was fast and easy, and then started in on the harder task of the day:  Making my own flour, and then making tasty bread from it!

The Wonder Mill "Junior".  I am in love.  My dad is bringing me a board tomorrow so I can attach it better, to my kitchen table.  I'm so excited!  

Beautiful sight.  Flour!  I assembled it correctly!  It works!  (This is actually a second run-through, as you can see cracked wheat in the hopper on the left of the picture.  It was suggested that it's easier to grind if you run it through twice, with the burrs a little lose the first time, and then tighten the second time.  Great suggestion...especially so a little boy could help.)

My little helper.  He really was a good little helper.  Pretty patient, too! 

Watching the wheat and helping me grind.  My body is a bit sore from my recent workouts and push-ups.  Next time my darlings say they're bored, I'll be putting them to work on this monster!  *Mwahahaha!* 

Wheat from the hand powered mill.  Ground with stone burrs, very fine texture.  Between fiddling with the burrs and adjusting the entire mill on my counter multiple times, it took about 3 minutes just to grind one cup of flour.  But if we didn't have any electricity, it's be the way to go!  The steel burrs can make nut butters!  mmmmmm!

My sweet Grandpa Crandall gave us this delightful (yet not so quiet) Whisper Mill for our wedding...over 6 years ago.  I finally pulled it out and put it to good use!  It works like a charm, even if it does sound like a UFO is landing.  *chuckle*  (It is quiet, but when it's flipped on, it sounds like something from a science fiction movie.  Made me laugh and my boys jump pretty good this afternoon!)

Finely ground flour from the electric Whisper Mill.  Took all of 10 minutes to grind about  20 cups of goodness.

I hope to never buy another loaf of bread.  This stuff is to die for!  I am crossing my fingers that Ryan's Celiac issues won't flare up from this bread...full of gluten.  It's a long shot, but we're gonna try!  Maybe my next step is to make my own flours to make gluten-free bread...from corn, soy beans (which my mills will grind!) and rice.  We'll see.

__________

Honey Whole Wheat Bread

From my sister-in-law, Tricia

Makes three loaves

3 cups warm water
1 Tbs yeast
1/3 cup honey
5 cups whole wheat flour
Mix these ingedients together then let them rise for 30 min. (I just left it in my Bosch.) 


After 30 minutes add these ingredients:
3 Tbs melted butter (cooled, so it doesn't kill the yeast)
1/3 cup honey
1 Tbs salt
3 1/2 cups flour
Add the flour slowly as you mix the dough. Add just enough so the dough stops sticking to the sides of the bowl, then knead it for 10 min in the mixer. (Brilliant idea!)  After kneading the dough, put it in a large greased bowl and let it rise again until it has doubled in size. Punch it down, knead it into a uniform ball, and divide it into three bread pans. 


Let the loaves rise again until the tops are about an inch above the sides of the pans. Took about an hour in my kitchen. Bake at 350* F for 25 to 30 minutes. Rub butter on the tops of the loafs after they come out of the oven. (I didn't do the added butter, as I like to smother the slices in butter.)


I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!!!

Project 365

...but not of the photography variety, although that would be fun.

I feel like I have at least three hundred sixty-five projects on my to-do list.  Well, now three hundred sixty-three.

I finished these babies this afternoon.

And over all I'm pretty excited at how they turned out!

I started to do a tutorial, then realized there are a GAZILLION out there...so google "camera strap cover" for a tutorial to suit your needs.  I just thought mine through before beginning, measured twice and cut once.

I purposely made them snug, because Ryan I didn't want to ruin the original strap.  The purple one is rouched on one side, and was a pain to get on the strap...I ended up taking it off to try the second one on:

My friend Stevie made one with a little pocket for the lens cap...brilliant idea!  Mind-engaging to attach (so the strap casing would still be functional) but it works like a charm!

I've been working on my photography execution skills.  Check out that wide aperture, creating an awesome depth of field.  I'm kind proud of this picture. 


What's on your project list???  You don't have to list all three hundred sixty-five. But feel free to!

Middle Child Syndrome

Taylor may or may not have it.

He likes to repeat every bad word I say.  Including those I haven't said for a long time.  Which results in a mouth full of soap (it's just a bar, that might get on his lips, I promise...wait...there's teeth marks on the soap!) He also likes to talk back, stick out his tongue just to get a rise out of me, and deliberately pee ALL OVER THE BATHROOM.

But I still love him.  

Some day's we're a team.  Some days, not-so-much.

To the Moon

Tanner gives me surprises every day.  He is blossoming so much!  He is getting ready for Kindergarten, and I'm loving it.

I gave up on pushing the issue of writing, memorizing numbers and letters, and he's surprised me by asking and wanting to learn. Perfect. I used to be very worried because he would never draw, or color...now I wake up to him sharpening his inherited (my coveted color pencils!) coloring sticks and putting his imagination on paper.  It is amazing to watch his brain work.  Simply fascinating.

Today he drew a picture of a rocket going to the moon.

He even let Kortlen help.

I love how the moon has craters on it, and the rocket is bending to get to its destination.

The way he talked to me about what was in his drawing, and cooed with Kortlen melted my heart.

I love you...to the Moon...and back, sons!

Speaking of the moon, I snapped this fun picture right before Ryan's basketball game...it would have been cooler if I had a tripod...but oh well...it was worth a shot!  It's super grainy, because I lightened it so you could see the clouds...The moon was HUGE tonight!  It was gorgeous. 

Highchair Re-vamp

I love our high chair.  It was a baby shower gift from my mom, and although it's old-school (where the tray flips over the top to rest on the arm rests), it was brand-new 5 years ago!

It didn't come with any sort of cushion, which is totally fine.  It's all wood, painted white.  (I may or may not regret getting the white, instead of the honey/light oak like my mom suggested.)  But I'm not going to be sanding and painting these intricate spindles anytime soon.

I made some fun red plaid cushions when Tanner was born...They worked well, but had just had enough...so I decided now was a good time to re-vamp.

I don't have a 'before' picture...so just imagine sad, stained and falling apart, home-made looking cushions.  

Now check out what we have adorning our kitchen!!!

I ditched the old fabric, but kept the foam for these new beauties.  I scored on the fabric at "Home Fabrics".  It was only $2 a yard, and I did buy a yard, but only used half of it.  

I used the same straps that came with the highchair, but they're pretty stained (although washed weekly!) and so I have new webbing to replace it with...I just gotta do it.  

I love how it turned out!!!

Apparently this little guy does, too.  

{7 months}

The past week was a bit involved for this little guy...

After three days of 101* fevers, that I thought were from teething, I finally decided to take Kortlen in.  It may or may not have had to do with the fact that it just wasn't right that his body, specifically his arms and legs, would have bouts of 'flinching'.  After observing him to see if it was from loud noises, and such, I determined (after picturing all the worst-case-scenarios) he was having some sort of seizures.

I was able to get him right in, and after visiting with our pediatrician (who is also our wonderful Bishop), concluded that he was having Myloclonic Seizures.  Very common in children, and I shouldn't be concerned unless they last for more than 5 minutes.  (which is an Eternity, and I'm very fortunate we didn't experience anything over a few seconds.)  After a good dose of Tylenol, his fever subsided, and so did the 'flinching'.  Weird.  I'm just so thankful that he's doing better.

And he's been pretty healthy ever since.  Still a little congested, from the cold (that started the fever that started the seizures), but other than that, he's good!

He's holding steady at around 18 lbs, which he's held for the last three months.  He's our chubby-wubby, but evening out.

Kortlen is a pro at getting around by rolling, and he's got it figured out.  Between being a rolly-polly baby, and  being proficient in turning 360* on his stomach, he pretty much gets where he needs to go.

He LOVES sweet potatoes and corn.  At the bottom of the list are bananas and peas.  Not mixed, just separate.

Yesterday I noticed he is doing girlie push-ups, getting stronger and preparing for a full-on "all-fours" match with his brothers.

I've been quite content with the older two boys running and playing and wrestling, but am a little aprehensive about Kortlen wanting to join in so soon.

Valentine's Day {2011}

Not to get sappy or anything, but we've had a pretty fun weekend full of Valentine Goodness.

♥ ♥ ♥

Friday night we watched our friends' two kids so they could have a romantic date. In turn, they took our three kids and a bag of Cadbury Mini eggs so we could have a romantic date.

We went to a fun little diner in Ucon, called "the Rusty Lantern", split a plate of delicious prime rib, and saved room for dessert later.

After dinner we made our way to our favorite bookstore for 'said' romantic date.  I got the idea for our 'bookstore scavenger hunt' from HERE.  (love those dating divas!  "Strengthening marriages, one date at a time!")

Towards the end we switched 'romantic poem reading' for 'perusing photography paraphernalia', which was just fine with both of us.  We even shared a chair.  Do you know how HARD it is to find an empty chair in BN on a SATURDAY night??? We got lucky.

Then we headed over to Kiwi Loco, which is a self-serve frozen yogurt joint.  We had so much fun!  And we'll NEVER take our children there.  Ever.  They have an entire counter of toppings...

By the end of our four hour date, I felt crippled.  But I also felt very ...um...  Sexy.  (I can't believe I just wrote that.  My Dad read's this blog!)  My hair was a bit out of sorts, as my blow dryer wasn't working, and I had to get creative with the space heater and gel, but these sure made going out on the town painful fun!

Thank you, Sara and Tev for trading babes for dates.  :)

♥ ♥ ♥ 

I was bound and determined to do something sappy for my sweetheart, but what do you do for someone who is gone from 6 am till 2 am the next day???

We sneakily gave daddy a heart attack!

The boys helped...they were totally stoked that I let them get on the hood of the car to put hearts on the windshield.  Silly boys!

101 hearts for 101 ways we love our daddy...without the list, because lets face it; cutting out that many hearts and taping them in 33* F weather just took way too long.  Plus, he literally didn't have time to read a lengthly list...He barely had time to remove all the tape and hearts before heading to his second job.

But we sure had fun!

♥ ♥ ♥

Of course, the day would NOT be complete without some good food.

Lunch for two little valentines???  I'm pretty sure you don't want a picture of Kortlen's lunch.  In addition to his regular diet, he had pureed sweet potatoes and corn.  Gag.

And my friend who was also husbandless (yes, it's a word) invited us over for some sugary fondue goodness and silliness.  Such a great way to end a pretty good day.

Hope you had a Valentine's Day filled with {LOVE}.

Sweets for Sunday

If I keep this up, I'm never going to lose these last stubborn 30 pounds!!!

Last Sunday:

Simple brownie mix (thank you, Betty!), cut with a Heart-shaped cookie cutter, cool whip and heated raspberry and huckleberry jam.  Sounds and looks fancy; simple and rich.


Yesterday: 

Good intentions, bad idea.  Popcorn balls from my 'Betty Crocker Cook Book' with added food coloring and red sprinkles for our festive occasion.  More than two minutes needed to brush and brush and brush and floss afterwards.  I came pretty close to losing a filling on this one.  So did Tanner, and Ryan.  It tasted good, and looked good.  Lots of fiber, and 0 fat.  It still wasn't worth the hassle of scraping my teeth with a rasp.  LOL!

{every day}

I just want a glimpse inside his brain to see how it works.  

He amazes me {every day}.

This little boy makes the silliest faces.  

He makes me laugh {every day}.

And this one?  

He melts my heart.  

{every day}. 

I'm thankful for these little boys.  {every day}.  

I'm so glad they're in our life!

{District Champions}

I was never really involved in sports during high school unless you count:

• being THE swim team
• cheer-leading for one year, I think
• attempting to run track and participate in the shot-put
• and playing in the pep-band

I guess you could say I was kind-of a nerd.  Part of that stems from the fact that I broke my pinky finger the very first day of my very first volleyball practice; and part of it stems from the fact that even in church ball, I sat the bench/stage.  I was that awesome.

However, whenever my little brothers or sisters are involved, and because of their awesomeness and mad sports skills, I try to be there, in the crowd, cheering them on.

My sisters were both VERY involved, even in the top three valuable players on both their volleyball and basketball teams.

Katelyn's Basketball teem was UNDEFEATED 20-0 this season. That has NEVER been done in the history of sports at our teeny-tiny little high school.  EVER!  Even boys' basketball and football!  And I think that includes non-district games as well.  

Graduating Seniors, Katelyn front and center

To make the season even sweeter, their team earned District Champions by winning against one of the meanest, most un-sportsmanlike teams in the district.  We're talking these girls blatantly trip and pinch and throw elbows, just to irritate and give welts.  

Way to go North Gem Cowboys!  

Lady Cowboys

WE LOVE our team.  

we LOVE OUR team. 

we love OUR TEAM.

WE. LOVE. OUR. TEAM!

Me, Katelyn, our mom, and Deseret. 

Clay took the picture and dad was off visiting, as usual.

Ryan was very sweet, and offered to stay home with all three boys, so I could go and enjoy the game.  

A Letter I'll Never Send

Dear Potential Employers,

My husband is seriously awesome.  But if one of you can't cut him a break soon, you might risk missing out on all he can do for you.  We've only applied to work for you BECAUSE he's qualified and BECAUSE he wants to work for you and help you and be a part of your awesomeness.

And if you choose someone else, that's fine.  They may or may not want the job as much as we do, but know that a simple rejection letter would be appropriate, if not nice.

Speaking of which, could you tell him what ISN'T working for you on his resume so he can work on improving it?  Because he's worked so hard, and he's tired of being paid less than earth worms for the work he does.  And quite frankly, the checkbook is tired of it, too.

My kids also need a bigger place to play, and I am going nuts, too...so a paycheck to go along with his qualifications would be superb.  We didn't quit a job in retail so we could earn a Master's Degree in another field just to return to retail.  If we really wanted a job in retail, we would have quit long before we were ever ahead in our education!!!

Just sayin'.  You could at least give him a chance.

Sincerely,
Your potential employee's wife

***Needless to say, it's been a downer of a day.  

{Love Notes}

I wanted to switch things up a bit for Valentines...I'm tired of making (and eating) sugar cookies.  Plus, we just got back from the dentist with Tanner.  It was not good.  *insert hanging-head-shake here*

On a happy note, everyone likes "love notes", no??? Since we're working on learning our alphabet and how to write the letters in it at our house, I had a brilliant idea.

It helped that I found some great finds at Target in the dollar bins:

10-pack of pencils= $1 

White tin mail boxes= $1 each

(of course there are additional perks to having a husband that works for Target...employee discount!!!...if you can't pay 'em what they're worth, give 'em a discount!!!)

I made at least one of the mailboxes for our family...hoping to promote love notes and pretty pictures...

Here's a .jpg for you, if you want it.*

Inside there is plenty of note-paper to write love-notes on.  Because our envelope supply is needed to write to Sister Crandall, I made a few of these for the boys...

Then I made up these little Valentine's Cards (feel free to snag the .jpgs below and use if you'd like!) that was super fast and easy, printing 6 to a page on card stock.  I suppose I could have let Tanner cut them out, too, but then there'd be no fun for me.  (I'm kinda obsessive about 'school tools' like scissors, paper cutters, paper clips, hole-punches, new pencils, new notepads, you get the idea.)

And had a little boy sign them.

And now we just have to deliver them!  (act surprised if you are one of the lucky ones!!!)

He was super excited!  And because most of his little friends are learning to write their letters, I thought this would be a fun switch for sugary goodness.  Maybe I can save them some money on their dental bill, even if I can't on my own.  :)

*You're welcome to use the .jpgs to create valentine cards for your own family...I'd love to see what you do with them!!!