Two Bracelets, One Day

(I have always dreamed of having smooth flawless olive toned skin with dark green eyes and blackish hair- alas I am a bit pink and mostly white with some ruddiness thrown in.  Try not to let my housewife hands detract from the jewelry.)

From Emma. She knows that I like the look of "simple and understated".  She stapled the pom-pom to the yarn.  When I asked her how she was able to make the yarn just the right length for my wrist she said, "I just measured my own and then added a tiny bit more because you have skinny bones Mom."  I do lover her dearly :)

From Carl.  What was that I just said about simple and understated?  Oh never mind.  Diamonds are good too!

Happy Friday!!

warm hearts

I love the way we love.  Little gestures like:

kisses and nuzzles,

and "pupcakes" made just for me...

they all make it almost unbearable at times.  Do you ever feel like you might just burst with bliss?  I'll be the first to admit that this does not describe every waking moment of my existence, but quite frequently I have to stop and pinch myself.  Maybe it happens in the middle of the night when I share a pillow with Laurel Baby, and her sweet breath warms my shoulder that is sticking out of the covers.  Other times it happens when I am completely encircled by the little arms and loud giggles competing for who can get the most tickles from me. Sometimes it occurs when I see my husband from across the room and I feel that fluttery feeling in my stomach again like I did when we first met.

(taken as part of our engagement photos- 6 months after we met)

These are the flashes of time that stop me and I have to ask, "Is this for real?  Could my life really be so swell?  What did I ever do to deserve all this?"  Basking in sweet, real, deep love all year long.  May you have the same! Happy Valentine's Day.

best bread

I could eat a sandwich for every meal for the rest of my life.  It seems as if I would never tire of them.  Oven roasted turkey breast, pepper jack cheese, tomato, lettuce/spinach, peppers, oil vinegar, salt and pepper, mmmmmm. A few of you chimed in over the weekend and said that you use a bread machine too so I thought I would post our favorite bread recipe.  It came to me via a former student (and friend) and I have been making it 2x/week.

Whole Wheat Oatmeal Bread

3 T molasses (I use honey- maple syrup works too)

1 C boiling water (for my machine I add 3 extra tablespoons to this, you'll have to experiment)

1.5 T butter

*Gently sprinkle the following ingredients over the top of the liquids (in the order listed)

1 1/4 C whole wheat bread flour

1 3/4 C white bread flour (you could try adjusting this ratio so that you have more whole wheat four and less white flour, but I haven't been very successful with that so far.)

3/4 C old fashioned oats

1.5 tsp salt

1 T sugar

1 T vital wheat gluten

2 T powdered milk

2 T ground flax seeds

*Make a shallow well in the center of the flour mixture and add:

2 t active dry yeast (for bread machines)

*I usually select the rapid whole wheat cycle. This makes a 1.5 lb loaf. We have found it to be very yummy! I would love to try your favorite bread recipes if you are so inclined to share them :)

By the way thank you for all the "handmade" encouragement yesterday.  I should like to exchange gifts with you next time!