Monday, August 29, 2011
Some days...
Some days I just want to crawl in to my little hermit shell and never come out. I'm not sure what it is about some days. It's disheartening to have my emotions go up and down and to have to wade against the tide. It makes me pretty tired. Anyway, by tomorrow I'll probably be in a different mood.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Two posts in one day, crazy!
I saw a picture on Pinterest that had the quote "Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try." I like this quote because I have a real problem with trying. If I can't do things perfectly to start with, I give up.
So what am I trying right now? Meal planning. It may seem a little silly, but this has been something I've wanted to do, but have struggled with. There are some sites that you can pay for them to do it for you, which I wasn't opposed to. But the problem I found was that the sample recipes that they showed you to tempt you in, didn't sound like anything we would really like. So that route wasn't going to work.
So here's what I've been doing. Gathering recipes. Trying recipes. Starting a list of meals that we already know we like. Adding to the list as I go. Attempting to plan a couple of meals ahead of time for each week.
I'm not going to be able to plan our meals for a year, a month or even two weeks when I'm just starting out. To begin with, I don't have enough recipes. And it's something that takes work and practice. It's a habit to form. I'm feeling excited about my progress so far. I feel proud that I've stuck with it. I've looked through tons of recipes, and have gleaned a few from each search session. It takes time, but I think it will be worth it. And maybe someday all my hard work will help someone else.
So what am I trying right now? Meal planning. It may seem a little silly, but this has been something I've wanted to do, but have struggled with. There are some sites that you can pay for them to do it for you, which I wasn't opposed to. But the problem I found was that the sample recipes that they showed you to tempt you in, didn't sound like anything we would really like. So that route wasn't going to work.
So here's what I've been doing. Gathering recipes. Trying recipes. Starting a list of meals that we already know we like. Adding to the list as I go. Attempting to plan a couple of meals ahead of time for each week.
I'm not going to be able to plan our meals for a year, a month or even two weeks when I'm just starting out. To begin with, I don't have enough recipes. And it's something that takes work and practice. It's a habit to form. I'm feeling excited about my progress so far. I feel proud that I've stuck with it. I've looked through tons of recipes, and have gleaned a few from each search session. It takes time, but I think it will be worth it. And maybe someday all my hard work will help someone else.
Thankful.
For a roof over my head.
Food in my fridge.
My job.
A husband who I love, and who loves me.
My family and friends.
My cat.
Refreshing rain.
I have a tendency to be negative and pessimistic lately, and sometimes I forget how blessed I am, and how thankful I ought to be.
Food in my fridge.
My job.
A husband who I love, and who loves me.
My family and friends.
My cat.
Refreshing rain.
I have a tendency to be negative and pessimistic lately, and sometimes I forget how blessed I am, and how thankful I ought to be.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Coffee Cake
I inherited this old Betty Crocker cook book that has been in my family for...a while. I'm not sure how long. It is the First Edition Betty Crocker's Picture Cook Book copyright 1950! It's from the fifth printing of it, so I'm not sure how old my copy is.
It's a little dated in some ways, but it has some great recipes. One of my favorites is Streusel Coffee Cake. It's easy, delicious and is always a huge hit. Every time I make it, people rave about it.
The Recipe:
For the Cake
Mix
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup soft shortening (I use one stick of butter)
1 egg
Stir in
1/2 cup milk
Sift (I don't have a sifter so I just mix them with a fork in a separate bowl) together and stir in
1 1/2 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
For the Streusel filling:
Mix together
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp flour
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tbs butter, melted
1/2 cup chopped nuts (I actually have never put nuts in mine. I'm not sure if I would like it.)
Pour half the batter into a greased 9 inch square pan. Sprinkle streusel filling. Spread the rest of the batter over filling (this can be a little tricky, and usually doesn't look perfect). Sprinkle rest of of streusel on top. Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 25 to 35 min. I never time things in my oven because it cooks fast, so I just check it.
This doubles really well. I usually double it because I'm usually making it for a bigger crowd, and seconds are often desired.
Next time you have a coffee cake type occasion, try it!
*Edit: I use one stick of butter when I double it. If you aren't doubling you would only use half a stick.
It's a little dated in some ways, but it has some great recipes. One of my favorites is Streusel Coffee Cake. It's easy, delicious and is always a huge hit. Every time I make it, people rave about it.
The Recipe:
For the Cake
Mix
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup soft shortening (I use one stick of butter)
1 egg
Stir in
1/2 cup milk
Sift (I don't have a sifter so I just mix them with a fork in a separate bowl) together and stir in
1 1/2 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
For the Streusel filling:
Mix together
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp flour
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tbs butter, melted
1/2 cup chopped nuts (I actually have never put nuts in mine. I'm not sure if I would like it.)
Pour half the batter into a greased 9 inch square pan. Sprinkle streusel filling. Spread the rest of the batter over filling (this can be a little tricky, and usually doesn't look perfect). Sprinkle rest of of streusel on top. Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 25 to 35 min. I never time things in my oven because it cooks fast, so I just check it.
This doubles really well. I usually double it because I'm usually making it for a bigger crowd, and seconds are often desired.
Next time you have a coffee cake type occasion, try it!
*Edit: I use one stick of butter when I double it. If you aren't doubling you would only use half a stick.
Friday, August 5, 2011
My buddy.
My husband and I have basically entirely opposite work schedules, and it really stinks. I work during business hours (8-5) Monday through Friday. He works 4pm to 1am, Friday through Monday. After two years of this, it's really beginning to get old. It's very lonely. But it's not as lonely as it could be, because I have my little buddy.
This is Scurvy.
He loves laying on the windowsill in the sun.
And playing with fan chains.
He loves running water.
And he's also very adventurous.
And he's pretty classy as well.
He's my little friend, and he keeps me company. It really makes a huge difference to have another living creature around on the lonely weekend nights.
This is Scurvy.
He loves laying on the windowsill in the sun.
And playing with fan chains.
He loves running water.
And he's also very adventurous.
And he's pretty classy as well.
He's my little friend, and he keeps me company. It really makes a huge difference to have another living creature around on the lonely weekend nights.
Brain Dump.
I have so much going on in my mind lately.
I have a lot I want to do.
I had the idea to make a sort of "inspiration" poster kind of thing, but I'm having trouble starting. I want to have pictures, fabric, colors, phrases, etc. that inspire me glued onto, well cardboard probably, cause it's easily attainable. I was excited about it the whole time I was at work, but now that I'm home I feel kind of stuck.
Maybe my apartment layout is inhibiting me...but I probably shouldn't change it again. I'm trying so hard not to feel stifled in this place, but it is not easy.
I've also been thinking a lot about my doula business. And about friendships. And about God. And about...all sorts of things. My thoughts are all shooting off in a million directions like big, bubbling springs that I can't contain. It's difficult to work on any one thing when that is going on.
I have a lot I want to do.
I had the idea to make a sort of "inspiration" poster kind of thing, but I'm having trouble starting. I want to have pictures, fabric, colors, phrases, etc. that inspire me glued onto, well cardboard probably, cause it's easily attainable. I was excited about it the whole time I was at work, but now that I'm home I feel kind of stuck.
Maybe my apartment layout is inhibiting me...but I probably shouldn't change it again. I'm trying so hard not to feel stifled in this place, but it is not easy.
I've also been thinking a lot about my doula business. And about friendships. And about God. And about...all sorts of things. My thoughts are all shooting off in a million directions like big, bubbling springs that I can't contain. It's difficult to work on any one thing when that is going on.
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