Starter Update

Well, my first batch of starter was a fail.  I thought that there was some action happening at one point.  I could see bubbles, however, my parents later opened up to me in saying that they really had to squint to see the bubbles I was talking about.

So, I decided to give it another go, since we still have almost a week until Christmas (when I wanted to make a loaf of bread with the starter).  I thought about it, and realized that the whole wheat flour I had used was pretty old, and maybe had a stale smell to it.  This made me think that any yeast particles in the flour would probably be dead.  So, I started a new batch of starter a couple nights ago using brand spanking new flour, and guess what?  I think I already see action 48 hours in.  No, for real this time.  No squinting!  AND, another good sign is that it smells sort of sour, just like the informational video said it would (it did not smell sour with my first batch).

So, I am really excited that I may have successfully captured some live, natural yeast!  Hooray!  It's alive, it's aliiiiiiiiiiiiiive!

Cookie Monster

We did our annual cookie bake this pat weekend. My mother-in-law, sister-in-law, my mom, and I typically spend a full Saturday whipping up batches of cookies and candies. We have a few favorites that we do each year, but we also really like seeking out new and exciting recipes. Elliott and his cousins enjoyed "decorating" gingerbread men (by placing sprinkles, frosting, and cookie directly into their mouths.

This year we made:
-chocolate coconut balls
-gingerbread strips
-gingerbread men
-Nutella and pretzel no bake cookies
-cherry rum balls
-graham cracker candy bites
-browned butter crinkle cookies with salted caramel frosting (my favorite)
-candy cane blossoms
-coconut snowball crisps
-shortbread bites
-Christmas "crack"
-Andes mints chocolate cookies
-buckeyes
-chocolate overload cookies

After baking cookies all day, the family packed into our cars and drove to the St. Louis Zoo's annual Wild Lights display.  Upon seeing the huge lines of cars and people, most of our family (driving separate cars) bailed on the event.  But, my mom and dad, Chris, and Elliott and I stuck it out (the lines went very quickly).  Elliott wasn't incredibly impressed with the light display.  He did, however, absolutely LOVE watching a high school glee club perform holiday songs and dances in the Zoo's cafe.  He would watch them intensely, mesmerized, and then shout "hooray" with his arms in the air at the end of each performance.  It made the whole event worthwhile!

Whew, and if that wasn't enough baking and holiday festiveness for you, I also made peppermint Chex, fruit cake cookies, and Brutti Ma Buoni for a friends cocktails and cookie exchange (pictures below)!

Magnetic

Pinterest threw up all over my Christmas this year. I made these rubber animal magnets that I saw on Pinterest. I think they were well received by their new owners.

Healthy Recipe #1

Here is a simple, delicious healthy recipe! These are southwestern style twice baked sweet potatoes. My potatoes came apart too easily from their skins, so I just dumped it all into a small casserole dish, which worked out really well! Add a side of Brussels sprouts and call it good. It ain't purty, but it's some good eatin'.

Recipe here: http://penniesonaplatter.com/2012/04/17/southwestern-stuffed-sweet-potatoes/

Elliott Project #1

Last weekend we decided to take our own Christmas photo for our family Christmas card.  We were going to take Elliott to see Santa at the mall dressed in his cute little outfit, but he had a different idea and decided to have a toddler melt down instead.  I have learned to let plans go a little better, so I figured we would set up a tripod, and take a family self-photo in front of the tree.  We "trained" Elliott, instructing him to look at the camera and say "cheese", and surprisingly he did an excellent job!  After we took the picture we would all run over to the camera to see the result.  Then, Elliott and I would hurry back to our spot in front of the tree while dad pressed the button, and we "cheesed" it up again!  I am pretty happy with the result!

Bonus! Hey, I'm not a shitty mom!

I came across this article on another blogger's blog, and it is so appropriate that I read it today.  I am feeling so inadequate in all avenues right now: as a friend, wife, mom, speech-language therapist, crafter.  It really is quite unrealistic what we expect of ourselves in this day and age.  I suppose it is a result of the voyeuristic world we live in, and how easy it is to keep up with the Jones via Twitter, Facebook, Blogger, etc.!  And, for some reason, the Jones always accomplish twice as much, twice as well!

This is written in a light hearted tone that makes you realize just how much pressure modern mothers place on themselves:
"Why You're Never Failing As a Mother"

What scrumptious treat cometh?

Mascerating...