Meanderings

Fresh Bread

There's nothing like the smell of bread baking in the oven to get the ole taste buds going. In fact, I think Kevin likes fresh bread better than sex (or so it seems).

I got this recipe for Baguettes from a very good cook, formerly from Louisiana but now moved to Texas. She personally tests each one in her Feisty Kitchen and then posts mouth watering pictures of her culinary feats.

This is a fairly easy recipe; if I can do it, anyone can!!

Baguettes and Rolls

• 2 (1/4-ounce) envelopes rapid-rise yeast
• 2 TBS sugar
• 2 1/2 cups warm water (100-110 degrees)
• 1 TBS salt
• 1 TBS butter, softened
• 6 1/2 - 7 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 egg whites
• 2 TBS cold water

Stir together yeast, sugar, and warm water in a 4-cup liquid measuring cup; let stand 5 minutes.

Stir together yeast mixture, salt, and butter in a large bowl. Gradually stir in enough flour to make a soft dough. Place in a well greased bowl, turning to grease top.

Cover and let rise in a warm place (85 degrees), free from drafts, 40 minutes or until doubled in bulk.

Punch dough down; turn out onto  a lightly floured surface and knead lightly 4 or 5 times. Divide dough in half, shape 1 portion into 12 (3 1/2-inch) ovals; place on a greased baking sheet. Make shallow cuts in tops of rolls; cover and let rise in a warm place, free from drafts, 30 minutes or until doubled in bulk.

Divide remaining portion in half. Turn 1 half onto a floured surface; press with a rolling pin to remove air bubbles. Shape into  15-inch rope.

Place in a greased baguette pan or large baking sheet. Make deep, 2-inch cuts in top of loaf using a razor blade. Repeat procedure with remaining dough. Let rise in a warm place, free from drafts, 30 minutes or until doubled in bulk.

Bake rolls and baguettes separately at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Stir together egg whites and water; brush over bread. Bake 5 more minutes or until golden. Cool on a rack.

Yield: 1 dozen rolls, 2 baguettes

Alternative Solutions

The 9-year-old may soon lose his job!! This sounds like a good solution to the price of gas it takes to mow the yard, anyway!

Get 'er Done

We almost got all of the yard finished before the rain came down.  The mowing was completed and the 9-year-old thinks it's his mission in life to drive the mower (minus cutting blades) around the yard, raking up the grass clippings. 

Now all I need to do is teach him the difference between a flower and a weed and we'll be good to go in the flower beds!!! *S*

Yard Work

We are so far behind on the yard work that even our dandelions have gone to seed!!

It's rained that last 4 out of 5 days but is supposed to be nice today (interpret that as no rain).

I don't know whether to work in the yard or start building an ark; the forecast for the next 7 days is, you guessed it, more rain!

I might as well work on the yard; I don't think I'd be one of the 'chosen ones' anyway!!

Carnival of Recipes-May 08 Edition

I checked my archives and it's been almost 3 years since I last hosted the Carnival of the Recipes; guess it's about time I took another stab at it, don't you think?? *S*

Without further ado, let's begin!

Lightening presents Chicken Stock posted at Lightening Online.  In addition to some great recipes, she also hosts a 'Smiley Saturday' post AND has give-away contests!! Who couldn't use more smiles and prizes??

Jennie W presents Open Faced Turkey Sandwiches posted at Jennie's Rambles. An online instructor with a new baby boy, this recipe is a hearty meal that doesn't require one to be in the kitchen for hours to prepare it!

Arvind Devalia presents Ice Cream Heaven! posted at Arvind Devalia. Oh ice cream, how I love it! Some of the fondest memories of my childhood are centered around family get-togethers and a hand cranked ice cream maker!

Anne-Marie presents Fun, easy-to-make sushi for kids posted at My Readable Feast. I know, you are probably thinking right now 'Ugh, sushi' (or at least I did when I first read the title of this post), but you'll be pleasantly surprised when you try this one. I've eaten varied varieties of this in Japan and always enjoyed the vegetables.

Deb Bixler presents Easy Macaroni And Cheese posted at Increase Metabolism & Live Healthy. Another great kid-friendly recipe yours for the asking (or clicking in this case). Sounds like a good idea to try to get the brats little darlings to eat healthy.

Mostly Cajun gives us a recipe this week for Pasta alla Puttanesca. For an explanation of what that means you'll have to stroll on over to his place!  I don't care who makes it, it sure sounds yummy!

Mama Bear presents BBQ Beef Cups posted at I've Got a Little Space to Fill.  This one sounds like one the kids would enjoy making and eating!

Jen Carlile presents Beet Towers with Farmers Cheese and Oranges posted at Modern Beet.  Oh I love beets!! The first thing I ever learned to can as a teenager was pickled beets from a recipe my Grandmother gave to me; if I must say so, they were might tasty, too!

Timothy Yordy presents Dandelion Jelly posted at I'm Not A Rat.  I really plan on trying this one!! We have enough of those little yellow flowers to make at least a 55 gallon drum of jelly! (although I'm not sure I want to sit still long enough to cut off all the  yellow parts to make that much!)

Expat Chef presents Honey and Vinegar posted at The Expatriate's Kitchen. A beautiful photo of a great looking dish is the first thing you see at this spot; it makes you want to lick your monitor it looks so good!!

Jessica Jones presents Homegrown Wine posted at Practical Nourishment. Jessica's recipe sounds like a keeper!  Many years ago an old man in the hills of West Virginia gave me a handwritten copy of his wine recipe; I've never been able to make wine as well as him, but with this recipe I bet I could!

World Famous Recipes presents Appetizer Recipes - Greek Isles Appetizer posted at Famous Recipes. I'm not too fond of lamb but the hubby is and this is one I bet he would scarf down (he's been known to do that on occasion)!

Bill presents Amish Friendship Bread posted at World Famous Recipes.  When I finish this post I'm headed into the kitchen to get my starter started!! I've tasted this before and it is fantabulos!! My mouth is watering now,,,

Diabetic Recipes presents GREEK EASTER PILAF « Diabetic Recipes posted at Diabetic Recipes. Several other recipes at this site sound like they would be tasty. Not your diabetic recipes from my Grandma's day, that's for sure!

Slow Cooker Recipes presents Crock Pot Cornbread Stuffing posted at Slow Cooker Recipes.  I have a love/hate relationship with my crock pot; I love it because it makes preparing meals sooooo much easier, I hate it when I forget to put something in it until it's too late!

Thelly presents Slow Cooker Sweet & Sour Chicken « Chicken Recipes - Recipes for Chicken posted at Chicken Recipes.  I love chicken; it's economical and tastes good, two things that don't always go together! This recipe had me wiping the drool from my chin just from reading it!

Kathee presents Red Velvet Cake Recipes posted at Christmas Recipes.  What a fantastic site this is!!! A whole blog  of Christmas recipes; we could pretend it's Christmas all year!

Editor presents Meatloaf Recipes - Savory Stuffed Meatloaf Recipe posted at East Valley Living. Wow, I never thought of using Ritz crackers instead of bread crumbs! I can't wait to prepare meatloaf this way; I bet the kids will eat this like there is no tomorrow!

Shawn has submitted her recipe for Gorgonzola Truffles over at Everything and Nothing.  Nothing I like better than fruit and cheese; just seems like ya can't have one without the other!

Sister Teresa (no not the Sister Teresa, but my sister named Teresa) submitted three recipes for this week's carnival.  Even though she is my younger sister, I'll have to say she is one good cook!  The first healthy recipe she sent me was for salad.  Everyone knows how healthy salad is, right?  Hmmm, guess again!  Here's her version of salad!

Snicker Salad
8 oz. container Cool Whip
3 Granny Smith Apples , chopped
3 regular size snicker bars  frozen and smashed
--Mix apples and cool whip.  Stir in smashed snicker bars.  Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

She also submitted a cake recipe.  Now depending on where you look for this recipe,you may find it titled differently. In the church cookbook it's titled 'Better than ALMOST anything cake', but the real title of this recipe is

Better than SEX cake

1 box German chocolate cake mix
1 can Eagle Brand milk
1 jar (16-17 oz.)caramel topping
1- 8oz. Cool Whip
3 Heath bars frozen and smashed
--Mix cake as directed on package.  Pour into a 13x9x2 inch pan that has been generously greased.  Bake for 30 to 35 min. at 350 or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool for 15 min.
--Poke top of warm cake every 1/2 inch with handle of wooden spoon.  Drizzle milk evenly over top of cake; let stand until milk has been absorbed into cake.  Drizzle with caramel topping.  Run knife around side of pan to loosen cake.  Cover and refrigerate about 2 hours.
-- Spread cool whip over top of cake.  Sprinkle with smashed Heath bars.  Store in refrigerator.

The last recipe is for Margarita Chicken. She's a Sunday school teacher in southern Arkansas, so ya know this one is on the up-and-up!

Margarita Chicken
4-5 frozen boneless skinless chicken thighs
1/4 cup dijon mustard
1/4 cup honey
1T. soy sauce
2 minced garlic cloves
3 T. margarita mix
-- Mix your sauce ingredients in a mixing bowl
-- plop the frozen chicken in the bottom of your crockpot
-- cover with the sauce
--cook on low for 7-9 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.  If your chicken is fresh, check it after 3 hours on high or 6 hours on low.  If you use the crockpot liners, the clean up is really easy.

Pam at Lollygaggin submitted her recipe for Stuffed Pepper Stoup. This is a great recipe, however  this disclaimer from Pam 'ya might wanna add some kinda warning about my language.'

So ends another episode of The Days of our Lives The Carnival of the Recipes.  Hope you all have enjoyed as much as I have. I've found some new blogs to add to my blogroll with the potential of adding new friends to my life!

Cade's Cove

On our list of activities while on vacation was a history lesson for the 9-year-old.  We took one whole day to do the auto tour of Cade's Cove and it was worth every minute!  The trees and flowers were all in bloom and the wildlife was abundant. The kids got to see black bears, deer and wild turkeys in their natural habitat.

This is a picture of John Oliver's cabin, one of the first settlers in the cove. 

There also was a small black bear in the woods close to this cabin; see if you can spot it in this picture. Trust me, that was as close as I was gonna get to a wild bear since where there are small ones you know big ones aren't far off!

Mountain Flowers, Part 2

Walking along a mountain stream I saw this lone flower and snapped off a quick shot.  I'm not sure what kind of flower it is, so I'm going to have to ask Mr. Mushy (or anyone else that happens to know!) to help me out with the identification.