Although my own children have outgrown this activity, we still get to enjoy it now and then when entertaining other young ones! It never fails to bring smiles, and is a safe, economical remedy for those “winter doldrums”!
This recipe, which I’ve had for years, is easily made, with simple ingredients you have in your cupboard, and keeps very well.
Homemade Playdough
1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
2 T. vegetable oil
2 t. cream of tartar
1 cup water
Few drops of food color
Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Cook and stir until the mixture leaves the side of the pan and changes consistency. Dump out onto plate, or counter, and let cool enough to handle. It is fun to work with when it is warm and very soft and does not require extra flour on hands or table like some recipes do. This playdough stays soft and fun for a long time if it is stored in a zip-top plastic bag.
(or substitute part of this with freshly ground whole wheat flour)
Today I used one cup of whole wheat flour – Excellent results!
Heat water and butter until butter is nearly melted. Pour into mixing bowl and add sugar/honey, eggs, and salt. Mix well. In a separate small bowl combine the yeast with one cup of the flour. Add this to your mixing bowl along with the remaining flour. If you used honey add an extra 3/4 cup flour. Mix well for several minutes. I use my Bosch Universal Mixer with the dough hook for this recipe, although the dough is too wet to be kneaded. You can also do this by hand with a wooden spoon. Put the dough into a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, or overnight. On the day you want to serve them, shape the cold dough into rolls with oiled hands and place on a greased baking sheet. For 20 dinner rolls, shape the dough into balls a bit larger than “golf-ball size”. Let rise for 3 to 4 hours, until rolls look fat and puffy. A warm room will hasten the rising time and a cold room will slow it down. Bake in a 350* oven for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
We were hungry for pancakes this morning, and I’ve been wanting to try Marilyn’s Blender Pancake recipe in her wonderful cookbook, Breakfasts for Busy Moms. We were not disappointed! If you haven’t put your Bosch blender to the test yet, try it out with this recipe! It’s AMAZING! Put the ingredients into the blender (all except the baking powder and baking soda) and blend on high speed for 4 minutes. Add the baking powder and soda and blend briefly. Pour batter right from the blender onto a hot, lightly oiled griddle. One recipe makes enough for 4 people, and it got “thumbs up” from the whole family! I used 1 1/2 cups of a cracked 9-grain blend that I’ve had awhile, but a whole 7-grain blend would work great, as well as the combinations Marilyn suggests in the cookbook. Even using just one whole or cracked grain, such as wheat, spelt, etc., would work just fine! Wouldn’t it be interesting to try buckwheat as a gluten-free alternative? I used buttermilk, but for those of you who are dairy-free, fruit juice would work as the liquid. These healthy, hearty, yummy pancakes are a wonderful way to start the day.
MARILYN’S FAMILY FAVORITE BLENDER PANCAKES
1 3/4 cup buttermilk (or fruit juice)
1 egg
2 T. olive oil
1 t. vanilla
2 T. honey
1 t. salt
1/2 cup raw brown rice
1/2 cup pastry wheat or Kamut
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 t. baking soda
2 t. baking powder
Blend at high speed for 3-5 minutes, until smooth. Then add
baking powder and soda and blend in briefly.
Pour batter onto hot, greased griddle and cook until bubbles on unbaked side
begin to break; turn once and cook on second side until done.
I am fast entering into my 5th year of homeschooling 3 incredible kids! Our journey with their triplet pregnancy, birth and life has taken us on a God given Vision of teachin’ them! I love it! I think I learn more the second time around. I jokingly refer to this year as my second term in 4th grade.
What do you all want to study this coming year?
That is a question I pose every year. The answer was BEES! This year it is the whole family who is into finding out more about bee keeping and understanding of what takes place in one of those “boxes,” in a nameless field, that we drive 60 mph past most days!
Carol J. Alexander, who I know through her blogging on http://EverythingHomeWithCarol.com, wrote a book and coincidentally asked if I could review. What perfect timing as I have no materials to shape this learning venture, other than Mr B. out on the highway who has been a bee keeper for his whole life. We have a field trip planned, but for me- “Cape Wearing, Busy Supermom”- I need a bit of an outline and Lessons from the Beehive is just that.
What Lessons from the Beehive IS:
Bee Ball
50 lessons bee related in math, language, science and more
A spring board or starting point to mesh bee learning with school
information that turns on the brain in a research kinda way
Listed resources found on the web
a framework to lapbook using science, geography, math, home ec, art, etc.
encouragement to delve into bees!
Supplier listing for beehive management
Interest sparker!
What Lessons from the Beehive is NOT:
It is not a manual on beekeeping
Not a manual for diagrams- but sources for that are listed
So as we start this year, bees are a hot topic and on the agenda. I can see using Lessons for the Beehive to help navigate my way through an area of study that we’ve never been in before. It is a good and right place to start. The review of the little book has made going to the library very purposeful! I can see speaking “bee” for the next 4 mo. and making a super (aka: the little white boxes on a nameless field, along the highway, we all drive 60 mph by) to complement our endeavors to be beekeepers and be knowledgable well before we get to the actual hive! May it be so!!!
You can get Lessons from the Beehive from Carol, www.LessonsFromTheHomestead.com.
I will be the first to admit that I am over stretched in what I do and accomplish in a day. Yes, I do plenty that is good and right, but what I want is where my Lord wants me to be. Over the last several weeks I have heard the same things that are from the mouths of my peers, other Urban Homemakers, just like me- probably just like you too?
We have “10 things”<please insert your own list, but it may look like this: work, feed, clean, canning!, garden work, bill paying, dog washing, piano lessons, meeting off-site, laundry, dishwasher, etc> that we think need to be done in the course of 10 minutes. Seriously, that sounds fabricated and not rational. Thats the point.. My driving-ness (if that is a word, but you get me?) fabricated the need for those 10 things to be done in the next 10 min. and it isn’t rational! Heavens! I am my own worst enemy and this is the well worn path to tearing me apart. Let me interject that there are a ton of fun and wonderful things happening, yet He has my attention in the area of “needing improvement” and I am persevering to get this right. All those things that seem so important can just stay where they are! I mean they are there even when I forget about them! Heck, they might even be there to mold and shape me into the woman I am meant to be. Hope so! Such the process isn’t it?
Here are 2 quotes that I have heard in the last few weeks that have STUCK! and they keep STICKING..
1. The Volunteer Lady who met us at the JEFFCO Action Center in Lakewood, CO. said “Never come here thinking you will accomplish all that needs accomplishing. The work never ends. There is always more to be done.”
2. From a dear, sweet friend of mine: paraphrased somehwat: “I want to “mother” instead of “manage” – and I’ve been managing instead of mothering.”
Quote 1 & 2 both have changed my thinking. It is a mindset challenge for me. I can do all the tending I physically do, but the mindset behind that seems like it has to be done NOW rather than seeing it for what it is- it is an endurance walk in life. The “work” will always present themselves, and tasks will continue.. If I “attempt” to finish all those things with the mindset of finishing and nothing else, I find myself MANAGING. When I manage I get crabby, tired, fried.. or please insert your own yuck feeling/action of choice here. Of course, if I am in that mode of managing how can I possibly “mother” in the way I should?
Don't look too far off from today- that other grass to be cut is for another day!
This morning Hubby and I set out to take an hour or so off and be together. Instead of managing another (HA!) task we did an 11 mile bike ride and breakfast in town. It was glorious! As we came down the hill towards home I saw the photo illustration of my whole theme here.. So have a gander at the pretty cut grass and lines. Think of yourself as the tractor and everything that needs to be done (the grass) and just do the few lines you set out to do. Know that you may not accomplish everything in 1 day, but it may be ongoing(see grass surrounding cut grass). Also notice the tractor is turned off and not moving. Yes- there is a purpose in that too! Other things besides the grass need to be done instead of cutting, i.e. bike riding with Hubby. The grass will grow and it will be cut. I am thankful for the neat rows that I can see, but be careful not to look beyond too far as the field goes on and on and that is for another day!
May you be encouraged to have a different mindset and may you whole heartedly Mother rather than Manage!
I had a bit of a personal challenge this morning. I said to myself, “If I can make pretty darn tasty bread, then I should be able to make crackers!” So here is my morning journey…
3/4 tsp Real Salt (Coming soon to Urban Homemaker)
1 C Water
1/3 C Olive Oil
Sea Salt for topping
Into the Bosch outfitted with Cookie Paddles and then the setting to 1 as I poured the liquids into the dry ingredients. By the time I set my measuring cup down the ingredients were mixed. Roll this amount of dough onto parchment for 3-4 cookie sheets. 2 cookie sheets worth will give you a thicker, softer- less crispy cracker. 3-4 sheets will be the thinness required for the cracker to be cheese spread worthy! Both thicknesses were incredible in taste and are currently being devoured!
Helpful Note: Roll dough onto parchment paper. Makes transferring to a sheet and prepping for the next round~ easy! I used 2 types of rollers a Wood Pastry/Pizza Roller and I used a standard 13″ rolling pin.
Once rolled out I scored the dough with a pizza cutter, knife, or whatever tool you want. Each cracker was stabbed with a fork.
Into the oven 350 degrees for 18-20 min until browned. Watch it! Depending on your type of oven, convection or not, and how the temp is~ just watch so it doesn’t burn.
The end result was beautiful. This is the plain variation with a thicker roll out. I spread the dough on 2 sheets and got a breadier, yet slightly crispy cracker. It is delightful and the salt on top is perfect!
Step 2.. Make a second batch and this time load it with 1- 1 1/2 T of garlic granules or powder and parmesan cheese (1/2C). I used Organic Garlic Granules from www.StrawHatFarms.com . They grow and process several varieties of garlic on the certified organic farm right in Montrose, CO. Chet and Karen Byler are friends of ours and I love their garlic! I bought the glass containers of garlic powder and granules and then refill in bulk. Please see their website for shipping details.
** Note: if adding extras like a parmesan cheese add about 1T water more to keep the dough moist.
Here is the second batch: Garlic, Parmesan Cheese 7 Grain Crackers. They were rolled thinner than my plain batch and covered 3 cookie sheets. There is a crisp and they are completely addicting when eaten with a cheese spread. I took this photo of them cooling so you can see how much in in 1 recipe when using 3 sheets. This was comparable to emptying 2 boxes of store bought crackers.
There you have it.. My personal cracker challenge and thumbs up across the board of family members. I love that I know what went into our crackers and that nothing unpronounceable was in my ingredient list.
I came up with this idea with a little help after hiding little plastic eggs in our backyard Saturday night while the house was sleeping. It has never been warm or dry enough to do a little hunt in years past and since my “Littles” are getting older, I wanted them to have this experience.
I am one blessed Mama to have 3 young children to know and confess a relationship with Jesus. He being raised from the dead is right where our faith starts! I want them to understand so they can live in that relationship their whole lives. To have them know and understand early in life is AWESOME!
I’ll get back to Easter morning, my children are waking, the coffee pot is brewing, and I open the blinds to find our little “Dixieland” dog carting around a yellow plastic Easter egg. The slider opens, I say “drop it,” ~ she does. The yard is covered with about 5-6 eggs and their contents. I manage to put back all but 3 emptied eggs.
The hunt begins, then it hit me. ~ Children don’t forget the empty eggs!”
In my mind they represent the empty tomb! There are 3, an opportunity for all 3 of my children. I hope and pray they will pick them up.
I hear “They aren’t valuable Mom,” “Nothing of value is in them Mom,” “We’ll get them later Mom.” I reminded them a few times and then said no more.
So I run inside and collect three $1 bills and wait. ~ “So did any of you get the empty eggs?” “No”, but then the light bulb goes on in one of our son’s face. He knows!!! Then our daughter~ she knows! And then the other son. He knows too! YES!
They acknowledged they all missed a “valuable” opportunityto collect something (an empty dog licked egg) that was the most valuable! That empty egg represented an opportunity to see the message of the Risen Christ; our best gift! The reason we believe. They also missed the $1 that each empty egg represented. They also understood that I asked a few times and then stopped asking.
No one got the dollars that glorious Easter morn, the empty eggs were picked up, yet they still got “it.” They got that the most valuable was maybe the least desired or not shiny. They got that the empty eggs could represent a narrow gate and only a few get them. ~ Remember they stood there with baskets filled with several intact eggs (the wide gate). They got it as they played hide the eggs and left 1 or 2 open so an opportunity missed could be found!
So if the dog ever gets your eggs have this idea for a teachable moment! It is exactly why there is an Easter to celebrate in the first place!
Yes, even the Urban Homemaker buys already flaked oats and 7/9-grains.. Until tonight, that is! One of my New Year’s goals was to “flake” or “roll” or to simply “flatten the heck out of a whole grain!” So tonight, as I prepared a granola recipe out of Breakfasts for Busy Moms, I considered taking a hammer to each piece of grain, but then realized there is an easier way… So out came the Flaker for the Bosch and I flaked my 9 grain whole grain for the recipe! I am so impressed with myself and the Bosch Universal as it handled itself perfectly on it’s side and flaked it’s heart out to give our family optimal nutrition and excitement for a Sunday night.
The Bosch is tipped to it’s side with resting pads built onto the unit. The Flaker attachment connects and a lever is flipped as a locking mechanism. When I flaked, I put the Bosch on a “1” setting. Just pour the grain in. The directions do not indicate that the unit be on to flake, but out of habit with the Wondermill I followed that routine.
Few minutes later I had actually “FLAKED!” I ended up flaking 14 C of rolled 9 grain and steel cut oats into flat little flakes. Granola went into the oven, and rolled steel cut oats and about a cup of 9-grain whole grain was set aside for breakfast tomorrow. Please note: I “flaked” steel cut oats because that is what I had. This flaker does not “steel cut” them- it just “rolled” them into flakes. The oats after flaking resembled a beautiful Amish Oatmeal. For us, I added flaked 9 grain to add variety to our hot cereal. It all looks GOOD!
This is the end result. This is steel cut oats & a scant cup of 9-grain.
BEAUTIFUL
Flaked Oats, flaked whole grains can be utiltized in a variety of ways in all the ways you would think to use “oatmeal.” Hot cereals:just adjust water/liquid as necessary. Rolled oats to water is 1:2-3, 9-grain is 1:4, Barley 1:3, etc.
Also- this is just one way to “flake.” I intend to try other tools of the trade, but maybe if you flake with one of them, you could note your experience on our website in the review section on the specific part? Here is a link to the page with a few on them. The Flaker attachment for the Bosch is in the Bosch catagory under the main unit where all the attachments are!
Here’s to being a Flaker! Happy Flaking- Kathy, a Happy Urban Homemaker
Choose Standard or Heirloom Varieties That Are Not Cross-Pollinated By Nearby Plants
Think beans, tomatoes, lettuce, and peppers. Known heirloom varieties are easy to save.
Harvest from the Best Plants
Choose disease-free plants that look like they have the most flavorful vegetables or beautiful flowers.
Be Mature
Harvest mature seed. This may mean that the fruit is beyond the eating stage. Fruit that is good for eating may not be good for seed saving. Let the fruit ripen (or over ripen) on the vine. Signs of maturity: flowers are faded and dry; pod plants like beans are brown and dry. Seeds are cream colored or have browned.
Dry Method Drying
Beans, carrots, corn, herbs, onions, peas and most flower seeds can be prepared using the dry method. Allow the seed to mature and dry as long as possible on the plant. Complete by spreading on a screen in a single layer in a dry, well-ventilated area until dry.
Wet Method Drying
Use the wet method for seeds contained in fleshy fruits like cucumber, melons, squash and tomatoes. Scoop the mass of pulp and seeds from the fruit or lightly crush fruits and put into a bucket or jar with warm water for 2-4 days, stirring daily. This process separates the good seed from the bad and eliminates any viruses. Look for the good seeds on the bottom of the jar. Discard the rest of the floating and non-seed material. Spread the good seed on a screen or paper towel to dry.
Storing
Store in a jar or paper bag in a cool, dry place and use the following season.
For a complete selection of Heirloom and Organic garden seeds visit www.UrbanHomemaker.com
We needed to celebrate! Not sure why, but the Brie Cheese Crowning Glory is reason enough…. and it is GOOOD!
This little yummy is especially fun around a holiday. I serve it as an accompaniment to a brunch, later afternoon snack and of course, if there are any guests this is a delight to serve. Certainly it can also be served when you need a little celebrating for no apparent reason.
Brie Cheese Crowning Glory
1 Brie Cheese Round- peel rind off
1 C dried apples cut into small pieces
1/4 C dried cranberries
1/4 C chopped pecans or almonds
1/3-1/2C Caramel dip
Crackers
Mix all ingredients with the exception of the brie & crackers. Mound on top of the brie. Serve with crackers and little cutting knives.
