Wordless Wednesday

Come on Spring-I know you're out there. How 'bout you show yourself?  You know you want to

Quick Update

Just wanted to let you all know I won't be posting next week.I'm having gallbladder surgery on Tuesday and spending the time up to then preparing meals so my family isn't eating fast food all week while I'm recuperating. I will also be making sure every towel,sock,jeans,underwear and shirt in my house is clean & in the closets so I'm not harassed  with " I don't mean to bother you but..." when trying to rest & heal.

If any of you have had this surgery and have any tips I'd love to hear from you-I'm a bit nervous.

Thursday's Three

These are three things I can't live without

The first goes without saying

My family- my husband who still puts up with my craziness and even sometimes finds it amusing after 20 something years together & my beautiful girls who keep my laughing.

( I wouldn't mind some pastries from Carlos Bakery either)

2nd

Smith's Rosebud Salve

I'm completely addicted to this stuff. I'm like the dad in My Big Fat Greek Wedding & his Windex . I really believe this is the answer to all which ails you.

Chapped lips-rosebud

burn-rosebud

diaper rash-rosebud

big zit-rosebud
super dry skin-rosebud

I have these little tins all over my house & I always have one with me.

3rd

My tea kettle

I'm a huge tea drinker. I use it in the morning to get my caffeine fix, at night to relax before bed with some Sleepytime vanilla tea and at least 5 more decaf cups during the rest of the day. I love that it heats up and just a few minutes,shuts off automatically and I love the cherry red color giving a pop of color to my kitchen counter. I got mine at Target.

Recipe Monday-Artisan Bread

Today's recipe is for artisan bread from the cookbook,Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day by Jeff Hertzber & Zoe Francois

I make this bread at least once a week making 2 loaves at a time. My family absolutely loves this bread and I love that I know exactly what is in it.

Artisan Bread

3 cups warm water

6 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 tablespoons yeast(2 packets)

1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt

Mix it all in a 5 quart container cover (not airtight) & let rise for on counter for 2 hours. Just mix until all the ingredients are combined-don't over work it.
 

Just after being mixed

 

 
Refrigerate for 2 hours after that.


You can mix by hand or using a stand mixer. I use the paddle attachment instead of the dough attachment. I just like how it works better.

After sitting on counter for 2 hours

When you are ready to cook pre-heat oven with baking stone* in it to 450 degrees.
Cut a grapefruit sized amount of dough and form a ball.
Let sit on a floured or corn-mealed pizza peel if you have one-if not a floured cutting board will do just fine for 20 minutes. Cut 3 slits on top or make a criss cross pattern on top of bread. Cook for 1/2 hour

* I don't own a baking stone so I bake my bread on an upside down cookie tray and have had no problems

Just before going into oven. I haven't made the slits yet

Bread comes out crispy on the outside and doughy heaven on the inside. 

Just out of the oven

The recipes states that you can keep the dough refrigerated for up to 2 weeks. I never keep the dough more than 2-3 days as it gets too much of a sourdough flavor after that.

Thursday's Three

To be totally honest with you this is the real reason I watched the Oscars on Sunday

Robert Downey Jr.

 I know the wifey is in the picture but she seems to be good for him so I let her stay

I've been rooting for him since way back in the early 80's

Now my daughter is crushing on him from Sherlock Holmes which is weird for me but at least she's got good taste!

Colin- The quintessential Englishman

After all he was Mr. Darcy

Then Mark Darcy

dreamy....

oh yeah he's a really good actor too

Mark Ruffalo

Honestly- I couldn't care less about his acting abilities I'm just happy when he pretties up a movie

See- I can be as superficial as the best of them. Hope you don't feel any less of me!

Wordless Wednesday

what I want to be in my next life