It finally .feels like spring

 My raised bed are all planted and ready to go. My potatoes and strawberries are doing great. I also planted peas,carrots, green lions, bush beans, cucumbers,zucchini, tomatos, and baby watermelon.

 Rick got the fencing up for the peas and cucumbers. The only other things we have to do is fix the deer fencing and put in the new watering system.Then it's on to the side garden getting it tilled and ready to plant.

 It feels so good to be out in the yard again. I love this time of year other then the wind. But the weather is perfect not to hot and not to cold.

 I am so excited! This is the first year my Lilacs have bloomed. These have to be one of my favorite flowers.

They make everything smell so good. I won't be needing my Lilac candles this year.

Artisan Bread

I made some artisan bread yesterday for our dinner tonight . It took 8 hours to rise the fist time and 1 hour for the second rise. I love this because I can make up the dough in the morning and not have to worry about it till later that evening.
 This batch I didn't start till closer to noon , plus we went to the movies so it didn't get out of  the oven till about midnight.

Rick couldn't wait for it to completely cool. He had to have a piece even though it was after midnight and time to go to bed. If you look closely at his hand you can see where he was squishing the bread.  The loaf is now almost completely gone since lunch. Looks like I will be making more.

Hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do.

For 4 smaller or 2 large baguette or one big loaf.

1/4 tsp dry active yeast (I used Fleischmann's Rapid Rise Yeast)
(Note: if you want to use a traditional bread technique, add the whole package of yeast (2 1/4 tsp) and proceed as usual)

1 1/2 cups water (325 grams)

1 3/4 tsp salt

18 oz by weight all-purpose flour (500 grams), about 4 cups

- Mix dough and let rise 12-14 hours or until doubled

- Punch down and shape loaves, let rise covered with floured plastic 1 to 1 1/2 hr or until almost doubled

- Bake at 550 F. about 15 minutes or until well-browned

- Spray with water before baking, at 5 minutes, and at 10 minutes during cooking time

I found this on you tube under the food wishes channel.  They also have a great blog. foodwishes.blogspot.com

Cleo and Heidi's crochet rug.

 Heidi's kitchen is white,red and black, so these were the colors I went with. I wasn't sure about the black border. But after looking at the picture of it without it I am glad I added it. It gave it a more finished look.

 Every time I laid it now the floor to check that my ends were even Cleo ran to lay on it. I am beginning to think that she thinks it's her's.

 Have you ever tried to crochet while a cat plays with your fabric or yarn. Not a easy thing to do.She loved ever time I  ( tried) worked on this rug.

Now doesn't that look like a content cat. She is going to be so upset when I put this up till I can get it to Heidi.

Dark ages or Millennium ? Let your phone decide.

Went to get a new phone today. The lady asked if I wanted a smart phone .When I responded no, she replied so you don't want to join this millennium. WHAT! Since when is owning a phone make you part of a millennium. She acted like I was  from the dark ages. Heaven Forbid ,I live with out the internet strapped to my side. I went on to tell her I had a laptop and tablet, not to mention a nook at home. I think that was enough to put me in the ball park. Beside I would prefer to live my life in the real world.  Poor thing didn't caught the sarcasm. She went on to say she couldn't live without her GPS on her phone.
All of a sudden I got this picture of her phone dieing  on the way home from work and it taking her two day to find her way home.( Sometime my mind just goes off on it own thought trail.) She went on to tell me how I really need one for emergency. That I didn't want to find my self with out being able to get help. Hello 911 ! I finally made it clear that I only wanted a basic phone. You would of thought I lived in a cave from the look on her face.

This did get me thinking about technology and the world today. Don't get me wrong I love a lot of it, when used in the right way. But we have become a world of lazy people. How many people do you know that can't count back change? I don't even try to read face book post from my daughters friends. I swear they are making up works. And since when is idk or cyl a sentence. Last time I checked it was I don't know and Call you later. This is a real text from a friend of my daughters. "  What dats my movie... if i would bn born back thn i would hope to b so lucky.. lol "   (What! ) Guess I am just as bad about learning new languages, as I was with old ones.We use to call the TV the idiot box. I think were way passed that. At least back then we know the three R'S( reading, writing , and arithmetic )

 Social skills are out the window too.  People now a day have forgotten or don't know how to interact with each other face to face . And this new found freedom seems to give people the illusion that it's ok to be mean and hateful. They don't have to look people in the eye or face the harm that their words may cause.
 How many times have you gone into a restaurant and seen people sitting at the table playing on their smart phones and not paying attention to each other. My husband and were out one night and watched couple next to us not only play on their phones while waiting for they dinner, but thru the whole meal.  They never  even said one word to each other.  I ended up embarrassing my husband before it was done.  As they were leaving ,the gentlemen asked his date if she enjoyed their  evening together .  I just could hold it in.  Come on I know at lest one of you would of  giggled too.
 We waste so much of our life's playing games or living others peoples thru the net. How many times have we looked up from our laptop, tablet ,or phone to see that half the day is gone. I know I am guilty of that,  so why waste the other half of the day with a smart phone. I am not saying very one is a slave to their smart phones. But for me I don't want to take that chance. Just give me my basic phone and I am a happy camper.  Wonder if I can get a handle for that cave door.

May you have a Blessed Easter

This week in my Kitchen

 Come show what's has been going on in your kitchen No words needed just link up your pictures   http://beautythatmoves.typepad.com/beauty_that_moves/2014/04/this-.html

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN

This week in my kitchen.

  I am linking with Heather over at: "Beauty that Moves" for her This week in my kitchen blog hop..

A weekly collection of photos from the center of your  home. The kitchen the heart of the home.  So this hop is centered on  just photos of your kitchen thru out the week no words needed.

My favorite Cinnamon Roll Recipe

 Cinnamon Roll Recipe :
1  3 oz box Cook and Serve vanilla pudding or instant vanilla pudding
2 cups milk
½ cup butter
2 packages dry yeast (4 ½ t)
2 t sugar
½ cup warm water
2 eggs, beaten
½ t salt
1 T vegetable oil
6 cups bread flour
In a medium saucepan, cook the pudding according to package directions. Add butter and let set until lukewarm and butter is melted. If using the instant pudding let it come to room temp then add the melted butter. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water (115-120°) until foamy. With a Kitchen Aid mixer, add to the mixing bowl the eggs, salt, oil, yeast mixture and the pudding and mix on low speed. Gradually add in 6 cups of flour, one cup at a time stirring between each addition to make a soft and sticky dough. Turn mixer up to medium speed if needed once more flour is added. Place on a floured surface and knead for 3 minutes. Grease a large bowl and place the dough and cover with a towel. Let rise 45 minutes in a warm place. After dough rises, place back on a floured surface. Using a rolling pen, roll out into a rectangular shape. Spread the filling on top the dough and roll up starting at the long end. Using a sharp knife, cut into 12 rolls, about ¾” thick each. Place in a greased 9 x 13 pan and let rise another 45 minutes. Bake in a 350° for 15-20 minutes or more, depending on your oven. Tops of rolls will be lightly brown. Frost with cream cheese frosting once rolls are slightly cool. Filling:
1 cup butter
2 cups packed brown sugar
⅓ cup cinnamon
In a medium size mixing bowl, cream the butter with an electric mixer.  Add in brown sugar and cinnamon and mix till all combined.
Cream Cheese Frosting
8 oz block of cream cheese, softened
1 stick of butter (½ cup)
4 cups powdered sugar
2 t vanilla extract
1 cups pecans or walnuts

In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the softened cream cheese and butter till combined.  Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time and the vanilla.  Mix till all powdered sugar is blended well.  Using a spatula, stir in the nuts. Frost cinnamon rolls.

This recipe came from the Joey and Rory Show. I did change the pudding from vanilla to cheese cake. It gives it a great favor ,without taste like  cheese cake. I also just put a simple glaze on mine. These freeze beautiful. One little problem. If you don't freeze some, don't expect there to be some left for the next day.

Heidi's new babies to the homestead

 My excited friend Heidi is one thrilled new grandma to 4 new baby boy goats. She actually played the part of a nervous father. Any little movement or out of character action and she was out there. She even set up a cot in the barn at one point when she thought Lilly was going into labor.  She was luck enough to be out there when Lilly gave birth. It was real cool to hear the wonder and excitement in her voice when she called me.  She still has the barn cam up so she can keep an eye on them. These are the first baby goats born to the homestead and they couldn't ask for a better place to live. We will be going for a visit soon. Just not soon enough. I can't wait to hold them and play with them. Lilly is a great mom and the babies are so cute.