Letters for Emily

I finished reading Letters for Emily last week. It was a pretty easy read. No big words and nothing too complicated. A nice book to read each night before falling asleep. It was a sweet story that had some good messages and advice in the letters written to Emily by her grandfather Harry. I did feel at times that it was a little predictable, but not any more than most books that have a happy story with a positive outcome. I also could have used a little more background and insight to a few of the characters, but then again it would have made it a longer book. So if you want a nice story that makes you reflect a little bit on your family relationships but nothing too deep, I would recommend this book.

Impressive Homemade Bread in 1 Hour and 35 Minutes :)

I have been making this homemade bread recipe for longer than I have had my wheat grinder. My friend Michelle gave me this recipe years ago when she was so kind to let me grind wheat at her house before I had my own whisper mill. I used to make bread all the time, but then it seemed as if my children didn't appreciate it because we had it too often. Now my excuse is that I don't have time to make homemade bread, so I decided to see just how long it would take.

I begin the process at 4:43 PM


I begin by dissolving 1 1/2 T yeast in 3 cups warm water. I then grind the wheat and gather the remaining ingredients while I let the yeast begin to foam.


And by 4:52 the following have been added:


1/4 cup oil
2 T honey
1/2 cup non-fat powdered milk
1 T salt
1 T dough enhancer
1 T vital wheat gluten
6-7 cups hard white wheat flour


I add just enough flour that as it mixes the dough pulls away from the side of the bowl. I let it knead for about 7 minutes. Usually at this point, most people will let the dough rise until it doubles in size. This bread turns out great without taking the extra time to let it rise. So when I am in a hurry, which is most of the time, I let the dough rest for about 5 minutes and then shape it into 3 loaves and put it into the bread pans.



And by 5:14, I can let the bread rise and bake while I fix the rest of dinner.

It usually takes about 20 -25 minutes for the bread to rise in a warm (170 degrees) oven. I then bake it for about 25 minutes at 350 degrees.


By 6:18, the bread is out of the oven and cooling on a wire rack.


I enjoy my whole wheat bread with lots of honey butter. My 11 year-old son said that this bread is the best bread ever! Thanks Michelle for a great recipe that my family has enjoyed for many years.

Hot rolls that melt in your mouth!

There isn't anything fancy about this dinner roll recipe, but I just love homemade hot rolls. This recipe is simple to make, and hot rolls with butter are yummy!

Dissolve 1 T yeast with 1 T sugar in 1 1/2 cups warm water.
Add the following and mix in bread machine or knead for 7 minutes:

5 T sugar

2 tsp salt

6 T dry milk

3/4 cup butter

2 large eggs

1 T dough enhancer

1 T vital wheat gluten

5 - 6 cups hard white wheat flour, add just enough flour that dough begins to pull away from side of bowl when mixing. Dough will be a little sticky.

Let rise for at least 1 hour. Shape and let rise. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

Books, books, and more books for Christmas break.

During Christmas break, it seems that I don't feel too guilty just lounging and reading. For the past few years, I have read Skipping Christmas during the month of December. I love this book. This year I purchased my own copy with the original cover. This book was made into a not so good movie called Christmas with the Kranks, and then of course the original book cover had to be replaced with the movie cover. It really bugs me when they take a great cover and replace it with a picture of the actors. I like to picture the characters how I see them and not how Hollywood does. Pass on the movie and read the book.

The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck was enjoyable. I would read it again. It made you think about what is truly important in life and to be grateful for the little things.

One of my all time favorite books is Small Change: the Secret Life of Penny Burford. It is a really quick read. It gives me a warm feeling when I read it. It exemplifies how the little things we do in life can really make a big difference.

Maybe I'm addicted to canvas shopping bags. Project Al Gore - Week 4

I finished my Christmas shopping on Tuesday December 23rd. Yeah! Go me! Before I was finished, I bought another reusable shopping bag. This one was from JC Penney's.

I had brought my own bag into the store with the plan to use it, but these were at the check out stand and I decided I really liked it and wanted to add it to my collection of non-grocery reusable bags. The funny thing when I bought this bag is that the store clerk asked me if I wanted my clothing items in the bag. My reply - WHAT??? Isn't that the purpose of the bag? She said you would be surprised at how many people purchase the bag but don't want their items in it. Maybe I'm missing something but that seems just a little silly.

I saved an additional 17 bags this past week.

Total count thus far . . . 86!

Christmas Morning Muffins - the Good and the Ugly

By the time Christmas day ends, I have definitely consumed too much chocolate, chips & dips, white breads, and meat. For the past couple of years, I have tried to have something simple and healthy for my family to eat for breakfast before we head out to grandma and grandpa's house. This year I thought we would have some whole grain muffins and fruit & dip. So here is the ugly muffins . . . .

This is a whole grain almond poppy seed muffin. It tasted pretty good but the center sunk. When something doesn't look good, people assume it doesn't taste good either. It was the first time I tried to adapt this recipe to 100% whole grain and will need to try again. And now here is the good . . . .

These chocolate muffins were not only pretty to look at, but I thought they were quite delicious.

Chocolate Malted Muffins

1 cup barley flour

1/2 cup hard white wheat flour

1/2 cup spelt flour

3/4 cup cocoa powder

1/4 cup malted milk powder

1 cup light brown sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

4 Tbls unsalted butter, melted

1 1/4 cups buttermilk

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup milk chocolate chips

Whisk together dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. In another bowl, whisk together wet ingredients. Then combine wet and dry ingredients and stir in chocolate chips. Scoop batter into muffin cups and bake in a 375 degree oven for 25 minutes.

My daughter bought a reusable cloth bag! Project Al Gore - Week 3

First, my daughter purchased a reusable cloth bag from Wal-mart. I am so thrilled that she cares what Al Gore thinks of her!
Second, I have done too much shopping this week.
Third, I have saved a total of 16 bags this week. And that is with no grocery shopping.
Fourth, I was excited to take my cute Barnes & Noble bag to the mall on Monday.
Fifth, two of the mall clerks thought I was weird for not needing a bag. Who really needs a bag any way?
And lastly, my total contribution so far . . . . . . . drum roll . . . . . . 69 bags saved.