Visitors!

Now that we are in our house, and it is mostly finished, I love having people over.

 I really enjoy our bar, where people can sit, laugh, and still be in close proximity.
One of my biggest dreams about being this is house was the ability to use it for fellowship. To make lots of memories with friends and family and just live life together! The super cold and snowy/icy weather has put a damper on getting to have lots of visitors, but oh just wait 'til Spring. Oh, and our unfinished stairs kinda puts a damper on that too. :)

A couple of weeks ago we had the Connerly clan over. Sarah and Daniel's twin boys are 18 months and very calm and sweet. However, we could see their very different personality's emerge in the short couple hours they were visiting. Micah was completely fascinated with the boys. He wasn't walking at this point yet, so he would pull up on Easton or Kellen, walk with them as they tried to get away, and then attempt to hug or kiss them. I suppose he needed some boy time!

The picture below, I thought, gave a good example of how the night went. HA! Micah wanting to explore the boys and how they were alike, and the boys ever so calmly letting him. I can't recall either one of them getting upset once; even while Micah was lovingly poking at theirs eyes. :) Sweet Sweet boys.

Sarah playing with Kellen here. He has such a cute giggle!

Giving Duke some loving. Going in for a hug here. 

All four! Learning how to share at the kitchen hot spot. :)

I said "Hi, Easton" and he so happily began waving and smiling big for me. Cute little guys :)

Amish White Bread

Okay,  I would LOVE to be one of those people who rarely go to the grocery store for food staples because said person makes or grows needed items at home. Well, let's just say, I'm working on it. Gardening is in my future this spring, and as for the winter; baking is always fun! So while at the food mart for my weekly food shopping, I didn't buy one loaf of bread... not one! I said to myself rather proudly (actually while I was making my food mart list) that I would make our own bread this week. :)

I have made wheat bread before, and knowing it is very dense, and does not rise very well, I knew I would make a white/wheat flour bread, and also try a white flour only bread. My wheat bread did as expected- dense and not big and fluffy. I didn't add enough white flour I suppose.

However, the white bread turned out rather nice! It actually reminded us of white bread from Subway. As I was making this bread, I realized I still haven't found my bread pan from the move, so I made hoagie rolls. Here is the recipe I used.

Amish White Bread:

2 cups warm water
2/3 cup white sugar (First try, this was WAY too much sugar. Next time I'll use about 1/3 a cup)
1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
6 cups bread flour

Dissolve sugar in the warm water. Stir in yeast and let sit until a foamy layer appears. Then add salt and oil. Mix in flour one cup at a time. Knead ten minutes then put in your bowl that has been prepared with Pam or oil. (so the bread wont get stuck to the bowl). Let the dough double in size. When doubled, punch it down, shape into loaves, or hoagie rolls, let rise another hour or so until double again. 

I baked my rolls at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. A loaf would take 5- 10 minutes longer.

There ya have it! This makes great sandwich bread. Soft, not too dense, fluffy... etc. 

I decided to make shredded chicken sandwiches out of our hoagie rolls. A little sauteed mushroom and onion, chicken, slice of cheese, lettuce, and tomato. Nice.

Baby Food Pouches

These convenient little pouches filled with yummy, supposedly 'healthy', pureed fruits and veggies can be expensive. I mean down right expensive! Micah can suck one down in 15 seconds flat... then I'm like what now?  Oh, here have some crackers...

I made Lyla's baby food, I just hadn't felt like doing it with Micah since we were in my parents house for most of his first year; so these things were awesome. But, I had to limit myself to one a day since they are around $2 each, for an organic brand.

I have thought several times to myself... I wish there were a pouch I could use and refill over and over. And then my incredible sister-n-law's blog had a post about nothing less than re-usable pouches!!! YES! I immediately bought some of the least expensive pouches reviewed.

Here is a link to that review. So helpful!
http://thricethespice.blogspot.com/2014/01/baby-and-big-kid-pouch-review.html

 As soon as my pouches came in I started planning! And after some research, came up with some tasty recipes for our very own, homemade, in-expensive food pouches!

I used my Magic Bullet to puree all the goods. I steamed in the microwave the carrots, sweet potatoes, pears, and squash. All separately of course ;)

Above is sweet potato, apple sauce, and cinnamon.

 I just portioned it to where I thought it would be a good consistency, not too thick, not too smooth.

When we used to buy the ready made pouches at the store, Micah seemed to enjoy the spinach pear mix. So I made my own version.

Spinach, steamed pear, and a bit of applesauce.

I had never bought a savory food pouch at the store, mainly because they were $3.00 and up. And if he didn't like it, well too bad for me I guess. However, since the homemade version only costs around $0.30 cents I decided to try one.

Avocado, steamed squash, steamed sweet potato, and spinach.

He didn't turn it down, but it wasn't gone in 15 seconds either. After a few tries, I believe he will like it!

Steamed sweet potato, steamed carrots, and steamed pear.

Steamed carrots and pineapple.

Apple sauce, steamed sweet potatoes, and pineapple.

 And then I made some strawberry applesauce for Lyla. She was very interested in it all and was pleased to have her own. :)

Just a few frozen strawberries, and applesauce. 

Also, I made sure and bought No sugar added applesauce.

Hope this gives you some inspiration for your own baby food!

This Brings Joy

What a beautiful yard we get to look at right now! Winter days can be so bright and cozy, especially when there is lots of bright white snow. However, I still look forward to the spring and summer days ahead when most of our time will be spent outside in the sunshine.

 Lyla slept in again this morning, and I couldn't help snapping a picture of her stretched out in her bed. She is getting so very long!

 

 

When I informed her that the snow was melting, she quickly decided to get ready and go play in it before it melted all away. We haven't been going outside to play much due to the cold, so I was pleased to see her playing and exploring. Our guard dog Duke stayed right beside her the entire time; made me for more at ease watching from the window. She didn't stay long, but when she came inside she seemed refreshed and extra obedient. It is amazing what some fresh air and outside time can do for the spirit. God's creation is the ultimate mood lifter.

Also, while watching Lyla play, I discovered she is going to be a big help in the garden this year. :) Work that shovel girl!

Joyful Day Everyone!