Popcorn Tree

One of my children's favorite songs

as they have grown is Popcorn Popping.

It is a fun song of springtime and blossoms

popping on an Apricot tree, complete with actions.

This morning Brigitta was so anxious to show me something.

"Mom," she yelled excitedly, "The song is true!"

Sure enough there is popcorn

beginning to pop on our apricot tree.

New Hairdo for Brigitta

Fixing my daughter's hair has always been a challenge for me.

Maybe its because I have always worn my hair short.

Here is my latest experiment with Brigitta' hair.

I did take a front picture but it turned out blurry :(

Refreshing your Sourdough

It just dawned on me that there might be those who do not know what it means by 'sourdough that has been refreshed'.

In all sourdough recipes, the term 'fresh starter' means starter that has been fed within the past 8 to 12 hours and allowed to freshen at room temperature.

For fresh starter, take a cup of your stored starter one day ahead of time, and add equal amounts of warm water and flour (the amount of flour needs to be slightly greater) and stir well.


The amount of water should be what is called for as 'fresh starter' in the recipe. Allow it to sit over night at room temperature, covered loosely.

When you get up in the morning it should be alive with bubbles.

Now all you have to do is to measure out the amount of fresh starter needed for the recipe, and return the remainder to the storage container, stirring it in well, and continue on with the recipe.

Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies

Shantell came home late last night and informed me that she needed cookies for school today. No problem I thought to myself, I have just refreshed my sourdough. :)

Now before you gag on the thought of sourdough cookies let me tell you how amazing they are. There is just a hint of sourdough taste. The texture of these cookies is soft and moist. They melt into your mouth with the very first bite.

Just to make sure, I text Shantell during her lunch period to get comments on the cookies. Her friends thought they not only looked delicious but tasted fantastic. When she mentioned they were made out of sourdough they couldn't believe it. As a side note, I only asked her for comments from the girls because we all know that boys will eat anything.

Here is the recipe:

4 ½ Cups all-purpose flour
2 Teaspoons baking soda
1 Teaspoon salt
1 Cup butter, softened
1 Cup shortening
1 ½ Cups granulated sugar
1 ½ Cups brown sugar, packed
2 Teaspoons vanilla extract
1 Cup sourdough starter
4 Large eggs
2 (12 oz) packages semisweet chocolate chips
1 ¾ Cups chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt, set aside. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, shortening, and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs, beating until well blended. Add vanilla and sourdough starter, mixing well. Stir in flour mixture until just mixed. Fold in chocolate chips and nuts.

Drop by tablespoonfuls 2- inches apart onto baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Turn baking sheet around after 6 minutes to ensure even browning. Transfer cookies to wire rack to cool completely. Store in tightly covered container at room temperature.

Makes about 5 dozen

Hope Through Difficult Times

Everywhere we turn we are bombarded with news of our downward spiraling economy. As Latter-Day Saints we have been warned and forewarned for years and counseled to prepare for such a time.

Our late Prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley in a General Conference 8 years ago said:

"The economy is particularly vulnerable. We have been counseled again and again concerning self-reliance, concerning debt, concerning thrift. So many of our people are heavily in debt for things that are not entirely necessary. As we have been continuously counseled for more than 60 years, let us have some food set aside that would sustain us for a time in case of need. But let us not panic nor go to extremes. Let us be prudent in every respect. And, above all, my brothers and sisters, let us move forward with faith in the Living God and His Beloved Son.

Are these perilous times? They are. But there is no need to fear. We can have peace in our hearts and peace in our homes. We can be an influence for good in this world, every one of us.
May the God of heaven, the Almighty, bless us, help us, as we walk our various ways in the uncertain days that lie ahead. May we look to Him with unfailing faith."

Well the time is here! It would be so easy to get caught up in the gloom and doom but I have resolved to press forward with faith.

Thomas Paine said;

"The harder the conflict,

the more glorious the triumph."

As we gathered our children together for family council this week we discussed the economy and how it has affected us. We then brainstormed and came up with a list of things that we can to do to help make it through these difficult times.

• Get back to the basics (gardening, food storage etc.)
• Give thanks daily for the blessings we have.
• Be humble and willing to work.
• Help others in need.
• And most importantly, Look to the Savior in all things.

As we enter into these difficult times, let us for forth with faith that the triumph will be glorious.

Parmesan Dinner Rolls

You've just returned home from church (and for us, ward choir) and you want to just sit and relax, but the family has other plans. They are looking forward to that wonderful Sabbath meal they have come to expect. I have the perfect recipe for quick dinner rolls that are absolutely delicious. A gourmet bread that looks and tastes like you slaved in the kitchen for hours. These rolls are so quick and simple to prepare. They only need one rising period and then they go straight in the oven.

ROLLS

3/4 Cup warm water

3 Tablespoons active dry yeast

6 Teaspoons sugar

6 Tablespoon butter melted

1 1/2 Cups warm milk

1 Teaspoon dried oregano

1 Teaspoon dried basil

1 1/2 Teaspoon salt

3/4 Cup wheat germ

1/2 Parmesan cheese
5 1/2 Cups flour

TOPPING

1/2 Cup butter melted

1 1/4 Cup Parmesan cheese

1/2 Teaspoon garlic

1/2 Teaspoon dried basil

1/2 Teaspoon dried oregano

Pour water into a large mixing bowl and add yeast and sugar. Stir and allow to stand until it is bubbly about 5 minutes. Stir in cooled butter that has been melted, warm milk, oregano, basil, salt, wheat germ and Parmesan.

Slowly add the flour just 1-1/2 cups at a time until a stiff dough forms. Turn out onto a lightly floured board and knead for about 5 minutes. It should feel soft and elastic and look smooth and satiny.

Divide the dough into 24 portions. Roll each portion into a ball and dip in melted butter followed by the topping mixture. Place evenly spaced into 3 greased pie pans. cover and let rise until the rolls fill the pan and have more than doubled. Bake at 375 until golden brown for about 20-25 minutes.

Note: You can cover and refrigerate before rising for up to 24 hours. Remove the rolls from the refrigerator and allow to rise covered on the counter and then bake.

I have received so many calls and comments on the sourdough

and am excited to hear about all of your successes,

but please leave the comments on the blog so that

everyone can enjoy and cheer you on as well. :)

Thanks!

Time Well Spent

This past Thursday and Friday the schools throughout Tucson were out for Rodeo Weekend. We have never participated in the rodeo, however we have enjoyed the weekend as time together with family. This year was a bit different because the kids had a bout with the stomach flu. Once everyone was well we did manage to get to the park, which is Brigitta's favorite family activity.
We also helped Cameron, Michele, and Dallin move in with Michele's family while waiting for their new home to be built.

All it all it was great just being together and serving one another.

What more could we ask for?