Saturday, December 24, 2011

Happy Holidays


I hope you all have the holiday season of your dreams!

Cheers,
         Tracy

Monday, December 19, 2011

What we're eating - Homemade Pretzels

Not the best photo, we started eating them and then I remembered I wanted a photo.


I found this recipe on pinterest (it does pay off to spend too much time on that site) from allrecipes.com.  They were so easy to make and soooo yummy! It was a perfect Sunday lunch for us and the girls loved making them.

1 pkg active dry yeast (or 2 1/2 tsp.)
2 TBS brown sugar
1 1/8 tsp sat
1 1/2 cups warm water
3 cups all purpose flour
1 cup bread flour
2 cups warm water (110 degrees)
2 TBS. baking soda
5 TBS melted butter
2 TBS coarse kosher salt
parchment paper

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast, brown sugar and salt in a 1 1/2 cups warm water.  Stir in flour, and knead dough (on a floured surface) for about 8 minutes.  Place in a greased bowl, and turn to coat the surface.  Cover, and let rise for one hour.

Combine 2 cups warm water and baking soda in an 8" square pan.

After dough has risen, cut into 12 pieces.  Roll each piece into a 3 foot rope, pencil thin or thinner.  Twist into a pretzel shape and dip into the baking soda solution pan.  Place on parchment covered cookie sheets, and let rise for 20 minutes.

All the waiting for it to rise really kills me... I have no patience!

Bake at 450 for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.  Brush (I dipped top surface into a bowl of melted butter) and sprinkle with coarse salt, garlic salt or cinnamon sugar. Also yummy dipped in melted cheese!

Monday, December 12, 2011

Memory Monday - don't peek

We took the girls to see Santa last week, 
Tuesday night is the best time to go... no line!

Amelia said this was the real Santa, his beard was real. 
Anna wouldn't get close enough to him to find out.

••••••

I remember when I was in third or forth grade. My brother and I were old enough to start giving gifts to each other. I knew Brent had hid a Christmas gift for me and I just couldn't wait to see! I went to search it out, which wasn't too hard because I knew it was in his room and the closet was the only place to hide anything. There in the bottom was a gray plastic shopping bag. I pealed it open to find the cutest, whitest, stuffed teddy bear. It was super soft and had a metallic bow tie. 

As I was closing the closet door Brent walked in and he knew what I was up to... he was so mad. Of course I denied ever peeking and acted totally surprised when I opened it. Since then I have never peeked at gifts again, I learned I didn't want to know. But then again... I wonder if I would ever have even remembered that stuffed bear if I hadn't had that sneaky pre-Christmas moment with it.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Santa likes his cookies

Sorry Santa I guess those cookies do go straight to your hips!

Lovin' this drawing Anna (age 6) made of Santa... so cute!

Monday, December 5, 2011

Memory Monday - Light Bright

Growing up this was one of my favorite toys. I remember spending hours at the kitchen table pushing the colorful pegs through the holes to create an awesome glowing design. I found this vintage light bright box at a garage sale for a buck. 

Amelia is working on a "Welcome Santa" sign on the light bright. 
(a nod from the "Elf" movie)
Just some plan old, good fun!

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Pillow factory


It's that time of year, where my office becomes a mini one woman factory, pillows are my biggest seller in my etsy shop and those keep me busy. I've made 12 pillows in November plus sold many other items: hair leaf barrettes, prints, owls, plushy toys, etc.

The end of the year is also busy time of year for my graphic design business. I'm working on two logos, an annual report and a website update at the moment right now.

Add leading two girl scout troops, trying to workout at least once a week and trying to keep my house somewhat clean... whew, I'm worn out. But don't think I'm complaining... I have my job, food on my table, and a nice little house. I know I am blessed... busy, busy, busy is good!