Baking fun

    Kaya had a blast today baking. I try to bake whenever I can and prefer homemade anything over store bought. So when things go well Sunday is usually a day of baking etc. Kaya loves to bake...the measuring, the mixing. I love to bake...it destresses me and honestly is there anything better than seeing your child grow while sharing a special moment and laughs? I hope that it's a tradition we keep forever.
   We started off by making a recipe for Artisan bread. I've never had it but it looked good, was simple and would make 4 loaves...or 3 loaves and a starter. I've been wanting to try a good dough recipe that would stay in the fridge. Usually you have to use it up as soon as you mix it up or it won't hold it's shape( the leavening agents won't hold up) and then once you make a batch up...you have to remake it another time to have more bread. Came across this recipe (will put at end of post) that baked up beautifully and easily. Everyone in the house gave it a thumbs up :) Only con was it's a non-kneading bread..and I love to knead bread as it releases more tension than one would think lol
   The recipe also works out nicely because I save our ice cream buckets and it is a good way to use them. One batch fits nicely in a gallon plastic ice cream bucket. You just have to make sure you put the lid on it and slice four small house in the top to let the yeast gas escape. I'm all for up-using things so it works out nicely :)
   We also decided to make freezer biscuits (plain, Italian and cheese). VERY easy recipe makes about 20 biscuits and then you flash freeze them for an hour. After the hour is up you simply bag them up in freezer bags, write the date and type on them and into the freezer they go. They last for six months. Thought it would be something to try out. No purchasing store biscuits unless I just wanted to (saving money) and quick to have on hand for supper or breakfast. Kaya LOVED cutting them out with her Nanny's biscuit cutter. I can admit I teared up a little bit...I remember always standing beside Granny when she used that cutter and how big I felt when I got to do it. Sure miss her a lot  But..hopefully I'm furthering that line of baking/cooking and bonding :)
              Artisan Bread:
 Makes 4 "loaves"
  3 cups lukewarm water
  1 1/2 Tbsp granulated fast acting yeast (or 2 packets of quick rise yeast)
 1 1/2 tsp coarse or Kosher salt 
 6 1/2 cups unsifted all purpose white flour (you can do half bread flour, half  all purpose flour and 3/4 cups wheat bran but I haven't tried that yet.)
     Mix water and yeast together and allow to sit. Mix flour, salt and yeast together. Add in yeast water and mix together. Do not knead and it's mixed when everything is moist without dry patches. Doesn't take very long.
    Put in a container with a lid. You will need vents in the lid to help gasses escape so use a container that you don't need again. I chose an ice cream bucket because then I could easily store it in the fridge (the starter or left over dough) and have a handle etc. Plus..it used up ice cream buckets I have lol and I can have more than one bucket in the extra fridge etc. Allow to sit in the container with lid on at room temp for 2 hrs. Sitting longer will not hurt the dough. Will look flatter on top when it's ready.
   The dough is now ready to use. Some find the dough easier to deal with if put in the fridge over night. I just used it straight and had no issues. It's up the baker to decide.
  Flour your hands and pull off a 1 lb section of dough (will be a decent size ball) Keeping your hands floured and the ball floured work into the general shape as in the picture. Artisan bread isn't perfect shaped and is not "loaf" shaped as it's a bit different in appearance than regular loaf bread. Work the ball to the shape you desire then let sit uncovered for about 40 minutes. DO NOT worry if it doesn't raise alot..or at all. It will raise when baking..it's called "oven spring".
   After 40 minutes set your oven to 450 degrees. I will admit I have an oven that can be regular or convection..I set mine to convection,the temp on 400 and it only took about 20 minutes for the bread to bake. Dust the top of the ball then use a SHARP knife (it must slice the top of the bread not snag it) to cut the top. Either slashed like I did or you can do any design..fancy etc. This allows gas to escape while baking and saves your loaf from being deformed. Bake at 450 (reg oven) for 30 to 35 minutes. I then brushed my warm loaves with melted butter and allowed to cool (bread can be eaten warm but is awesome cool too!)
   To store the dough you didn't use..leave it in the container with the lid on and keep in the fridge for up to 14 days. Dough will improve in taste with time. Cut off dough and use as needed. When your dough is gone DO NOT clean the container...just mix another batch and put into the same container. The remaining bits of dough will add to the flavor of the next batch much like a sour dough starter! Sounds odd I know but if you've ever done Amish Friendship bread..same principle
                
                       Freezer Biscuits
  2 cups all purpose flour
  1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt (reg table salt)
1/2  cup shortening ( I used butter but you can use either)
up to 1 cup of milk ( I used nearly a cup)
     Mix flour, salt and baking powder together. Add in shortening..mix together until mix is crumbly. Slowly stir in milk until dough works into a ball. You may not need the whole cup of milk. 
   Flour a surface and work dough out to desired thickness. I pulled off sections of dough instead of doing the whole ball at once..was easier for Kaya to work with . If you want to do cheese biscuits add shredded cheese to the dough, if you want to do Italian add Italian seasonings..if garlic biscuits add garlic powder etc. We did plain first then split the next batch into half and half.
  Using a biscuit cutter, round cookie cutter or the bottom of a floured glass cut out biscuits. Arrange onto a wax paper covered baking sheet and once full..put in freezer for one hour to flash freeze. When the hour is up simply bag up in desired amount or bag up in two bags of ten (you can always unzip bag, take out amount,close and put bag in fridge..so no biggie on how many is in a bag). Label with the date and type of biscuit and put back in the fridge. Will stay good for 6 mo.
    Enjoy the recipes :)

              

Hair combing...

   Sigh..yes haircombing. The one thing that can bring Kaya to tears quicker than anything. We have constantly fought those tears. We've always combed her hair so it's not like it's something new but with long hair...and LOTS of corkscrew curls..and being thick to boot..it's not her fave time of day.
  When her hair is wet it comes down past the middle of her back..when dry it's just below her shoulders. So yeah..lots of curls.
  We had tried everything under the sun..detangler, spray in conditioner, different shampoos and conditioners, even hair products for black hair. We couldn't use toddler hair stuff...not strong enough. Had to be careful with African hair care products...too oily. Tried every suggestion and tip we could get. From Dollar Tree "miracle items that worked for my girl" to anything we could think of.
  We had read online that curly hair dries out faster (hence frizzy curls or fuzzies stuck in curls) so we always have used moisturizer. Our last conditioner was Mane and Tail because a friend of ours whose little girl is half black/half Chinese had hair identical to Kaya's and they swore by it. Made her hair soft..but not the miracle cure for tangles.
  After another night of nearly an hour to do Kaya's hair, both of us near tears..it struck me Steve's friend is a hairdresser. She gave us some EXCELLENT tips and with some internet research I think we've found a winner.
   We wash her hair but only use shampoo every other time (to prevent dryness in winter) and use Biolage conditioner allowing it to be on her hair for 3 minutes. Then once out of the tub we work Biosilk lotion from the bottom of her hair to the top working it in the layers etc. Then we comb. When done we use mouse that has Moroccan tree oil in it. She's been sleeping on a silk pillowcase as well.
  So far, knock on wood, it's been going well. Very few tangles when we comb. It's just getting her to the point that she realizes that it doesn't hurt.  But it's nice to not feel like I could lay down and cry after doing her hair. 20 minutes is so much nicer than an hour or more.
  I know it sounds silly but an hour of a crying child and feeling like you are the reason she hurts is not easy on the nerves.
  So hoping this system keeps on working :) :) :)

Things I've learned with age:

Things I've learned with age:(sorta long but honest lol)
1.I am just me. Perfectly imperfect me. Why apologize for being me? I see so many people that apologize for what makes them them. Drives me nuts.
2.Stand up for those you love...you'd want them to stand up for you. I've also learned that in life you will stand up for people you truly love..and they will not you or your family. 
3.Never be ashamed to stand up for what you believe in. Doesn't matter if it's "in", or against the current. Being silent on something that you know is wrong is the same as supporting something that is wrong. Know what is going on in the world, educate yourself and stand up for things you believe in. No matter whether it's GMO food, politics, or just a coworker treating another like crap..if you don't stand up who will?
4.If someone doesn't like you..it's their loss not yours. Why waste time becoming what someone else wants..and losing what makes you you? Nothing is sadder than someone that dumbs themselves down to make another person happy..or changes their morals to feel like they belong. If I don't like you..it's not because of anything superficial..it's because you are genuinely not a good person. I don't sweat someone that I could care less about not liking me.
5.No matter what your faith or beliefs practice them and live them. Never be a hypocrite. And remember..it's not your place to judge someone else's faith. Also never base your liking someone simply on what denomination their church is. Noone thinks the same or believes the same...not even two preachers from the same church!
6. Spend less time judging. I don't know someone else's path in life..they don't know mine. Unless it affects me and my family..it's not my business.
7.The second your child is born you realize what true love is and just how big your heart can swell. And it will continue on for the rest of your life :)
8. Every day is not going to be great..but you can find something great in every day. Put a positive twist on something bad and it might just change your thinking process.
9. I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But if you focus on your family, the needs of others, your work, meeting new people and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.
10. Don't go through life wearing catcher mitts on both hands...you need to be able to throw something back once in awhile. Having a voice and a spine is part of being human!
11. I've learned that making a living isn't the same as making a life. Both take work and making a living is a necessity but making a life..is a priority. Don't wait till too late to realize that work and materialistic things have become your life..and your family and loves are no longer there!
12. I've learned that gardening is better than a medicine cabinet full of happiness pills. Getting your hands dirty or doing a hobby you enjoy is the best stress reducer. And if the whole family is involved it's even better.
13. I've learned there are people that love me/us dearly they just don't know how to show it. And maybe at times...I've been the same way. I'm trying harder to not have a hard heart.
14. I've learned that there will always be people speaking what they "Think" of you. Live your life so others KNOW how you are. Live your life such that people rejoice when you are born,enjoy life with you and cry when you leave this world. I try hard to live this and it has been a tremendous help to me. When some people decided to slander me...noone believed them. 
15. Touching one heart..whether through kindness, charity work or a time of need, can make a world of difference.  
16. Nothing in life is set. Every day is going to be a change, a challenge. Either learn to flex with life..or it will break you.
17. Make sure you know yourself before uniting with someone else. Far too many think finding a man/woman to fill the void in them..will complete them. Know who you are before you become Mr or Mrs so and so. I'm thankful that I married someone that compliments me and my life...and we work as a team. Marriage isn't based on financial security, sex or looks..it's based on much more than that!
18. I'm learning every day that my child is not a refection of me but her own little individual that I love. We may bump heads but my goal isn't to make her into a mini me..it's to make her into the best SHE can be.
19.Holding in anger only poisons you..not the person you are mad at. I've learned to either forget about it or spit it out! I've also learned that I would rather someone say Hey you pee me off then smile and hold it in. Relationships don't grow and evolve if everyone pretends everything is perfect. I cannot stand people that pretend to be happy with you but say put up facebook posters/quotes that are meant towards you. Don't be a chicken..tell me if you are mad..I'll tell you when you aggravate me. It's life.
20.I've learned that I cannot change anyone but me. People are going to do as they please, what they think is right or normal and that is how it is. I'm learning to not waste my time being upset or trying to change others. I can't bullhead others into how I think..and I wouldn't want them to do that to me. It may hurt because I see what that person is doing, what in life they are losing and how they are pushing away people that love them..but..it's their path. They have to decide what they want. Me harping on them won't change it. I'm done trying to fix things that are not in my control..and I'm done feeling bad that I can't fix it.
21.Become a parent isn't all fun and games. It's not just cute pics and adorable clothes. It's hard work and a full time job. But it's the best job.
22. Nothing stays the same and some things never change. 
23. Pinterest has made us all into crafty freaks that think if the napkins are not folded into origami patterns then our kids bday party sucked. Society has made us feel as if we have to fit into a certain mold or we are a failure. You can fix supper for your family and still be an independent woman. You can let your spouse take the reigns sometimes and not "lose yourself". Forget what society says has to be.
24. Realize that no matter what...it's not a sin to be happy. You can have a great spouse that you love and helps you, great family, and a happy life without feeling as if you have to say "I'm sorry." Others may not have what makes them happy..they have to find it. Don't feel bad you are happy.
25. Teach your child to respect themselves, their morals and others. Society is quickly degrading what is moral. I'm talking about a teen should know that their body is worth more than a nice meal and a movie. A child should know to respect their elders. They should know manners. They should know that hurting others to gain what they want..is wrong. But we as parents have to practice this and show our children that it's not "cute" to be sexual on facebook and act like they are 25 when they are 13.It's a slippery path when a child has no rules/parents..only a friend in the home.
26. Losing all your grandparents wakes you up fast. I wish Kaya had all her great grandparents to love her. But I know they watch over here..and having the memories I have..guides me in how I live my life. Being a grandparent is a big job..and I hope hers take it seriously.
27.Know how to take care of yourself/your family. Learn to cook. Know what to do in an emergency.Learn to budget. People can laugh at us "backwood hicks" all they want..but we don't starve during an emergency and our kids don't freeze during a power outage! Remember that if someone else is picking up the tab for you or the govt is feeding your kids...at some point it won't be happening so you better make sure YOU know what you're doing. Giving up a few wants for the betterment of your family/child's needs is being an adult. 
28. Realize that you are not the center of the universe. The world is huge, life is big and you are merely a spot in the mix. The world doesn't stop for you, the world doesn't bow to you, and you can have your opinions but only if you allow others to have theirs. Don't think you can spend life spewing your ideas and agendas then censor someone else. I may not like YOUR opinion but I will respectfully listen..otherwise no one in the world would ever learn anything!!

I think we have survived...

 I think we have survived all the nasty germs...knock on wood. Steve feels alot better other than just being tired (with MS when you get sick...tiredness is very hard to get over) and I feel pretty good. Kaya is holding onto a bit of a cough..but that is normal with her. She has a cough bigger than her when she gets sick! Almost to the point the dr even looks at her like "that came from YOU"
  So glad the house is on the mend. Hope to visit some family we missed at the holidays due to feeling rough. Got to get back on track with house stuff and chores. Just typical stuff.
  Hoping everyone else has good health in the new year!

New Years Day

  New Years Eve was a hit. Worked till 4 then home to ,as Kaya said ,"PAAARTY" ! We fixed meatballs in the crockpot for meatball sandwiches, had chips and dip and made chocolate cake, a pan of pbutter fudge and two types of snowman poop :)
   Steve was the only one that made it up till midnight. All of us was out by 10! But it was a really nice evening of just being together.
  2013 is now in full swing. I hope for it to be a kinder, gentler year of people realizing that they need to find the best in THEM not the best in THINGS, to have family realize that spending time together is more important than anything else, and to move ahead in our lives as a family. One of my main goals this year is to move past feeling bad about family never being there. We have too much on our plate to feel bad that others do not want to include us in things or act like family. When Kaya is 18 and she knows "who" these people are but have no significant impact of what they have done IN her life...they can deal with it. I refuse to hang on to hurt and drama...because it never affects the person that causes it as they think they are doing what is right or the best for them. 
  I'm hoping the upcoming year also shows the family that MS is a serious deal. That sitting back and pretending that what we say doesn't happen..won't make it not be so. That never listening and retaining important information just to make themselves feel better..doesn't work. The focus should be on Steve and his diagnosis and how HE handles it...not US worrying about making THEM more comfortable with the situation!!
   Kaya had a ball and had a fun party complete with blow out horns etc. She did tell us this morning that the party was nearly ruined by not being able to blow her horn at midnight (she was in bed). Such a drama queen! :)