Day to Day

I have officially started my compost pile. I found an inexpensive bin form Home Depot but I would have had to order it so I went the route of finding a large plastic storage container and drilled a ton of holes and for under $20 I have my compost bin. I think this project will take a little longer then expected but it is a start.

I went to fill up the bin with my first little bit of leaves and veggie scraps and I came out to find Christopher had dumped the entire pile out, I guess it was my fault for not putting the lid on so I have learned my lesson.

As for my bread making skills, I never got around to my pita bread but I did make homemade Wheat Thins and Graham crackers, both turned out surprisingly well.

I went to Hobby Lobby today and found some cute little animal cookie cutters so I thought that would be fun to use next time.

I also made whole wheat bread today that almost ended up in the trash.I don't know what my problem is, but I always forget the salt and without it, I will not touch the bread. I had the loaves all formed and remembered I did it again so I tossed the dough back in the bowl and tossed some salt in so we will see how it comes out.

I just came back from pulling the bread out and it looks pretty darn good for my standards, and the smell, you can't beat it.

Anyway, Bryan and I will be celebrating our 6th anniversary on Saturday and I am at a loss as to what to do. I also would like to do something for friends and neighbors for Valentines but I am not sure what that will be either. I guess I just don't know much about anything!

Onto a better note, I think I may have caught up with all of my laundry! It has taken about two+ weeks since returning home from Christmas break but I think I may finally be on top of it.Happy day!

Dreams...

I have a dream of being an artisan bread maker, thanks to my new cookbook from my mom...Baking with Julia. I also have a dream of opening my own outdoor market/brunch shop where I would feature my best recipes discovered over the years.

Since I came home from Christmas break I have attempted bagels and focaccia bread. The bagels looked beautiful but where not anywhere as tasty as I would have liked and my focaccia, well, let's just say I will keep trying. I do have to say that bread covered in a little pizza sauce and cheese makes a world of difference, and I think I may have my first recipe for my future

market...Veggie pizza on focaccia!

I made a quick pizza sauce with crushed tomatoes and garlic smothered it on some focaccia then layered with grilled zucchini, eggplant, red peppers, mozzarella cheese then dotted with a little goat cheese. I have to say veggie pizza has never been up my alley but this was good. The focaccia not so much, but I will keep at it.

Not my bagels but hopefully this week...

For this week I will be making pita bread and maybe I will attempt another bagel recipe. I am convinced I will not be able to get away with my generic Walmart brand flour so I am on the hunt and will keep you updated.

I know this is the most exciting thing you have ever read, but the flour hunt is on!

A New Year

Per my moms request I am updating my blog...

Bryan and I had a nice long drive back from AZ to TX and I tried to get out of him what some family goals should be, I didn't get much except to write in our journals more. I suggested we start writing at least once a week and just discuss some of the highlights.

I have a wall going back to the bedrooms where I have made a shrine of Christoper and I have been trying to come up with some kind of project to put in between the frames and I came across this...

Resolution "Subway" Art

Now, I know journal writing will only take up one line so we better get our family whipped into shape by coming up with some more goals and so I can make my project, I need 2 boards.

I don't know if I will count this next thought as a goal, but I have decided to make my own compost. Our poor yard is pretty sad and it doesn't help that we leave for a couple months over a year but maybe my extra loving care with my "black gold" will do the trick. I found myself throwing away so many veggie and fruit peels that I thought why not turn my trash into something worthwhile. We have plenty of dead leaves and dead lawn clippings there is no reason not to give this composting thing a try.

So, dad this one goes out to you...you have only ventured out here once so next time you feel like escaping AZ forget going some place exotic like Hawaii or lush like Oregon come visit Lubbock! I have ideas for our yard and can imagine all of the fun we can have...right? Sounds fun, keep telling yourself that.

According to Martha I can have my compost pile in just over 3 months time if I turn it, so I better get crack'n.