Wheat Bread Update

Well, it has been over a month since my last post.  I have been faithfully making my Homemade Wheat Bread twice a week (sometimes three, if I give bread away as a gift) and I wanted to update you all on how it has been going.

It has been WONDERFUL!!

As I was looking for a "wonderful" image to put here, I found this image. It hit me . . . it isn't just my bread that is wonderfully made but each of us as people as well.  Take a moment and ponder this!  Heavenly Father does NOT make mistakes.  He designed us ALL to be individually wonderful.

Now, to be honest, no two batches have been the same.  I figure that accounts for the weather we have been having this March and April.  Warm days, HOT days, humid days, rainy days, snowy days, windy days, etc.  Boy has that effected how the bread rises or just looks in general.

Another issue I have been facing are DISTRACTIONS!!!  I will set my sweet, little bread machine to make my bread dough and even set myself a timer on my phone to remind me the bread dough will be ready. But no matter how hard I try NOT to get distracted . . . I do!!!  A child calls from school, the door bell rings and I visit a bit too long at the door, a friend stops by to help me with a crazy / insane church assignment, or I have my phone on silent.  No matter the distraction, the bread over rises into a huge balloon and then I desperately form it into loaves and set it to rise a second time.

And then the DISTRACTIONS come again!!!  My poor bread has been risen too much for weeks.  But . . . it ALWAYS tastes just fine and turns out looking much better than the teeny, tiny loaves ever did. 

Remember the Dry, Teeny, Tiny Bread I made for weeks?  Not even on a third rise does my bread look like this.   I figure my new bread recipe is pretty much fool proof.   And boy am I thankful for that!!

The last detail I would like to share with you is on the vital wheat gluten. 

This is the gluten I use.  I have purchased it at Macy's (along with my Saf yeast).

I know there is a HUGE kick right now against gluten.  I respect that.  I know people who personally can not have gluten.  But I will be honest with you, my body prefers a gluten diet.  I have tried non-gluten foods and my body gets sick.  I have also tried making this bread without adding the gluten and the gluten makes a HUGE difference. Non-gluten bread is crackly, crumbly, dry and a bit flavorless; which makes for a tough time getting ANYONE in my family to eat the bread all gone. 

Bottom line, if your bread recipe has great flavor but is looking a bit less than desirable, try adding some gluten to it.  I wouldn't skimp on the gluten you buy either.  I think you want a high quality gluten - as to cut out any side-effects a lower gluten could give to your family.  But this is just from my experience.  

I also know there are other ways to make homemade bread without even using yeast.  A friend of our family has offered to share with me her Potato Starch Bread Recipe.  It is kind of like a sour dough starter - so I think it will be alot lot of fun to learn about and try.  This friend of our is going to give me a start and calls it the "Working Woman's Bread".  Why?  It is due to how long you can just leave it lying around until you can get to it.  Sounds like it might just be what I need ???  I am also excited to see if this bread could be something I can add to our bread rotation (sometimes I get sick of eating the SAME bread every week).  But this won't be for a few more weeks.  To be continued . . . 

In closing, after almost 8 weeks, I have decided that my current bread recipe is a KEEPER and my family agrees!

Happy Baking!

Homemade Honey Wheat Bread ~

**  Spoiler Alert - I was a bit overwhelmed by the idea to publish this recipe.  In order to make it happen, I had to create a post as well.  If you don't wish to read the post or the MANY tips I put into it, just scroll to the bottom of the post and there you will find the recipe.  Of course, the recipe is detailed - step by step - because that is how I best learn/teach.  Could luck and happy baking!  ~ Wendi

Remember this?

This is the kind of bread my family has been eating, more times than not, over the past month (bye, bye bread store).  It has been dry at times, flavorless, flat ("tiny" as my kids call it) and pretty much gross.  But then a few times I have tasted something I only hoped I could recreate each time I made bread.

So . . . I practiced.  Every Monday and Friday I would make a "new" batch of bread.  I would add a little of this, substitute this for that, or even try different kids of grains and flours. 

I was getting so used to seeing THIS kind of bread, I was starting to think that THIS was the best I could do.

Well ~ I WAS WRONG!

TA - DAH!!!!

I made this exact loaf of bread by "accident"  last week.  I was making a HUGE pot of soup and felt prompted I should share it with my wonderful Young Women's President.  She has been up to her eyeballs in responsibility since our new callings in December.  I felt a night off from cooking would do her good.  But what to serve with the soup?
Of course . . . A homemade loaf of bread!

I decided to just make a "plain loaf" of bread, instead of adding all the fancy stuff I had been experimenting with for weeks.  To my surprise, the most delicious, fluffy, high loaf of bread appeared right before my eyes.  I was blown away!  It reminded me of my oldest son's favorite book: "The Seven Silly Eaters" by Mary Ann Hoberman.  I don't just love this book, I ADORE this book!  I don't want to spoil it for you . . . so you need to go to your local library and read it for yourself.  That way you can find out why this bread reminds me so much of this book. (I promise, it is worth the trip to the library.  Go!)




Needless to say, here I had been working hard for WEEKS to make this very loaf of bread for my family, but not until I chose to serve someone out of love and concern, did this loaf appear.  I fortunately made two loaves of bread that day (that is what one recipe makes), so my little ones were able to enjoy the bread along with the Young Women's President.  

That was when my children cried, "We want THIS bread!  We don't want the tiny bread anymore!"

What was a mother to do?



So I got to work, trying to remember exactly what I had done to make this amazing bread.  Fortunately, I think I nailed it!?!  But I am concerned that the second batch I made today wasn't as high, smooth or pretty as my first batch (but that might have something to do with the fact that I kept opening the bread machine lid during the 1st rise because I was just too excited to see if I really nailed this recipe).  I guess practice does make perfect.

So, at the request of so many of you on Facebook, I have decided to share my 1st rough draft of my Homemade Honey Wheat Bread.  Mind you . . . I make the dough in the bread machine, take it out, knead it by hand and then place it in bread pans to rise a 2nd time.  Then I bake them in my oven.  I don't like the crust the bread machine creates - it's dry, thick and not very flavorful.  I also feel there is nothing better than baking bread in a loaf pan.  The pans leave the perfect crispness to the crust yet tenderness to the bread.  It also allows the bread to bake in the shape bread is known to be in . . . instead of a massive brick!


(What bread machine bread looks like)
Not my favorite bread at all!



(Bread baked in bread pans in my oven)
Much better!!  Don't you think?

So I will continue to practice this recipe each Monday and Friday.  If anything changes to make the bread better . . . I will let you know!  If you have any questions . . . you know where to find me.

Now, I don't want to stress you out or overwhelm you with too much information; but one of my BIGGEST PET PEEVES about Pinterest, or any recipe book/blog, is when you take the time, effort and money to make something and it just doesn't turn out like the picture or how the author said it would.  (Major run-on sentence I know, but it had to be done!)

After much pondering on this matter, I have come to the conclusion it must be the ingredients they are using, as well as how they tweak the recipe to fit their appliances, their humidity levels and the altitude they live at.  I know about all of this because when we lived in Costa Rica for a month MANY of my recipes struggled and it was due to all of these factors.  So please, don't shoot the messenger if your first few times of making this bread don't turn out the way my picture did.  The point to this whole story is to NEVER give up and to keep trying.  If you have a desire to make something, give it your all and eventually you will find what you are looking for!

So, here are a few suggestions as to why I think this bread recipe is so successful.  I believe it has to do with the brand of: yeast, all purpose flour, wheat and honey that I use.



First of all, I am using home ground white wheat flour.  We have an electric wheat grinder and we are doing what we do best - rotating our wheat by actually using it.  We purchased the white wheat from the LDS Cannery a few years ago.  We also have red wheat to use but it tends to be a bit rough on our stomachs.  I would eventually like to start making the bread with both types of wheat that we own . . . but that won't be for a few weeks.  I'll let you know how it turns out.

The all-purpose flour that we use is AMAZING!  My sweet friend Maria told me about it.  It is unbleached, non-GMO and chemical free.  It tastes like flour should taste.  You can purchase it at Walmart (which is cheaper than getting it directly from the company) in 5# and 10# bags.  We go through a 10# bag  (just under $7.00) once a month.  It is SO WORTH IT!  Our cookies, waffles, pancakes and muffins taste so much better too!



Next is the yeast that I use.  Saf-instant yeast is the best yeast I have ever used.  Unfortunately, Walmart, Smith's or Fresh Market do not seem to carry this product.  I have only found it at Macey's (by Outback Steakhouse and the Movie Theaters), but it is worth the drive.  If you have yeast that you have on hand, use it.  But . . . if you find your bread isn't rising like you want it to or that the flavor is off, I would consider trying these ingredients.  The right ingredients honestly do make all the difference.

Last, but never least, is the honey that you use.  My suggestion . . . find a honey that your family LOVES and use it in the bread.  Don't go for the cheap, yucky honey.  If you know of a honey supplier, buy their honey.  Local honey is the BEST for you and has so many health benefits.  If my supplier makes another order, I can let you know about it, but her honey comes from down south.  I wonder what local honey would taste like to my family?  Hum . . . something to think about this summer!

(This is my bread machine - Zojirushi)

Now, onto the details of the recipe.  I honestly just took my bread machine's Whole Wheat Bread recipe and made a few simple changes.  Instead of using only Whole Wheat - I did 4 cups wheat and 1 cup all purpose flour.  I also changed the sugar it called for to honey - thus making my recipe a Honey Whole Wheat bread.  Lastly, I increased my yeast from 2 teaspoons to 3 teaspoons (or 1 Tablespoon).  I feel in the winter that the air is drier and it is colder all together in my home.  The extra yeast is good for rising and it gives us the fluffiness we prefer in our wheat bread.

The bread machine recipe also called for a few unique ingredients: dry milk, butter and wheat gluten.  Now . . . I have made MANY batches of bread without the gluten and my bread turns out crumbly, tough/chewy and goes dry quickly.  So I moderate the gluten and use a bit less than what the recipe calls for.  You can add it or not, but that will make a huge difference in the loaf you get.  And yes, I was worried about gluten allergies too but to be honest, we feel fine and I believe that if you are using the best ingredients you can for your family, it all works out in the end.  Moderation in all things!

As for the butter - I THINK IT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE to the loaf . . . SERIOUSLY!  Don't leave it out!  One last tip . . . don't put the salt anywhere near the yeast.  I haven't tried adding the salt into the water first - I wonder how that would work out?  I'll let you know in a few weeks.  For now, I make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients BEFORE I add the salt.  Then I just sprinkle the salt along the left and right sides of the pan away from the well.   Then I carefully add the yeast to the well.  Salt will kill your yeast!  So keep them away from each other!
     

          

Lastly . . . be careful with your measuring.  Many times we are adding TOO MUCH FLOUR to our recipes.  Flour should be measured carefully.  You can scoop the flour with a spoon and ladle it into the measuring cup or you can use a smaller measuring cup and do the same thing.  Level off the top and pour that into the bread machine pan.  If you just scoop your flour up with your measuring cup, you are packing down the flour and increasing the density of your loaf.

The point to all of this???  These tips might just help you understand why making bread in the past didn't turn out like you hoped it would.  Also, take a look at YOUR bread machine's recipe book.  Those recipes have been tested and proven for your machine (especially the size of the dough it will make) and you can tweek the recipe to work for you.  Just make the changes I made above to the ratios that you need for your recipe.  If you need any help, you know where to find me.

Well, I hope this post has helped one of you in some way.  I know it helped me!  

I got to see HOW Heavenly Father works in our lives, giving us blessings for serving others.  I also realized how important it is to not only serve others but to also let others serve you - because you are allowing them to be blessed if you do!

Good Luck & Happy Baking!

Honey Wheat Bread

• 1 7/8 cups water
• 3 T. honey
• 2 T. butter (I use dehydrated butter + 2 T. water)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour 
• 4 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 T. dry (powdered) milk
• 3 - 4 T. Vital Wheat Gluten (depending on your preference - I use 3 1/2 T.)
• 2 tsp. salt (sprinkled along left & right edges of pan)
• 1 T. yeast

Directions:  Gather all ingredients around your bread machine.  Gather all cups & spoons.  Pour water in first, then honey & butter.  Add flours, milk, gluten.  Make a well in the middle of the ingredients.  Sprinkle the salt around left and right sides of pan - be sure to stay away from the well.  Pour the yeast carefully into the well.  Close lid and start your bread machine on the dough cycle.

While the dough is being made, grease your bread pans with shortening.  Set aside pans until dough cycle is finished.  After dough cycle is complete, sprinkle a bit of flour onto your counter and scoop out the dough onto the floured counter top.  Cut the dough in half.  Knead the dough to push out the gas that has collected.  You do this by folding the dough onto itself and pushing it away from you, turning it counter clockwise 1/4th turn and repeating the process.  Be careful not to tear the dough.  Continue this process for a few minutes until the dough is smooth and has a slight shimmer to it.  Take dough and tuck the bottoms underneath to form a ball.  Then shape the dough into a loaf, by pushing in the sides and making it rectangular.  Turn the dough over and pinch the seams together (seams will cause the bread to have splits in it, which causes sliced bread to break apart). Place that loaf into the pan.  Do the same steps to the other loaf.  (Here is a great video that shows you about kneading and how to put the dough into the pans.  It also shows you how to make the bread without the bread machine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Rjd1NZfG4Y&safe=active)

Now, this is the tricky part!  You need to raise your bread in a semi-warm room.  That can be hard in our cold homes during the winter.  I tend to use my dishwasher on the mornings I make bread, so I will place my pans on the counter top above the dishwasher (it is nice and warm there).  I will also cover my two loaf pans with a thin tea towel that has been soaked in warm/hot water and rung out completely; that helps trap the gases in the bread and allows it to rise.

 If you don't have that option, you can use your oven.  Preheat your oven to 250 degrees.  If you have two racks in your oven, place one rack on the lowest shelf and the other rack just high enough to get a 9x13 pan in between the two racks (you don't want the top rack to be to high, to allow the bread to rise and touch the top of the oven).  Next, heat up hot water in a kettle.  When boiling, fill the 9x13 pan half way with the hot water.  Place your loaf pans on the top rack and shut the oven - NO tea towel on top of the loaf pans.  

Allow your bread to rise until double in size.  This can be anywhere from 20 - 40 minutes, depending on the warmth of the kitchen and humidity in the air.  If the loaves are rising on the counter, you may begin to heat your oven to 375 degrees.  If your loaves are in the oven, GENTLY take them out of the oven (this is how my ugly loaf occured - above picture) and preheat your oven to 375 degrees.  Also, take out the pan of water.  You don't want to cook the bread with the water still in the oven.  Return the loaves and bake them for 20 - 25 minutes, until lightly brown on the top.  

Remove bread from oven and immediately remove the loaves from the pans.  I put an oven mit on the top of the loaf and use another oven mit to pull the pan away from the bread.  Allow the bread to cool on a cooling rack for at least 20 minutes to 30 minutes before cutting.  But . . . if you MUST break the cardinal rule . . . go ahead and cut yourself a slice.  There is NOTHING better than a HOT SLICE of bread with butter and honey on it!!  Or just butter!  But, your bread will squish if you continue to cut into it.  Just cut a slice, or two (wink), and then allow the rest of the loaf to cool.  

I like to pre-slice my loaf for my kids.  If I let them do it, my bread looks horrible and the serving sizes/slices of bread are a disaster.  Pre-slice your bread at least 1 hour after cooling. Then store that loaf in a ziploc gallon sized bag - making sure to squeeze out any air before sealing.  

If you want to freeze your loaf, just pre-slice the cooled bread (must be cooled completely before freezing!).  Then wrap it in plastic wrap completely.  Next, wrap in aluminum foil.  Then place in a gallon sized ziploc bag.  These steps will insure no freezer burn or dry bread occurs.  Use bread within 3 months for best results.   

Good luck and Happy Baking! ~ Wendi Whitchurch

Fallen Bread

Yes!  This is my doing!  These are indeed MY loaves of fresh homemade bread.  I WISH I would have taken a picture of how I found them.  I came into the kitchen to wrap my fallen loaves, only to find them face down on the counter.  My hubby, bless his wonderful heart, took it upon himself to bake these loaves for me.  He then took them out to cool . . . on their heads!  . . . . yes, SERIOUSLY!  (it's okay, they probably look better because he did that.)    But looking at this poor, terrible looking little loaves of fresh homemade goodness, I literally was overcome with the most wonderful feeling . . .

LAUGHTER!!! And it couldn't have happened on a more deserving day.

As I picked up the "upside down" already fallen/sunken-in loaves, I had to chuckle to myself and thought, "Isn't life just like this fallen loaf of bread?  It looks terrible but you KNOW it isn't uneatable.  It isn't something you would take to a friend as a gift.  But you wouldn't hesitate to feed it to someone if they were starving.  It still has all the flavor, vitamins and moisture . . . it just looks terrible!  Boy, have I felt like this poor loaf of bread today!"

I really didn't plan on having such a rough day; just like the bread hadn't planned on rising 3 times before it got to bake.  But that is what life is all about . . . just keep on rising when you fall and make the most of things.  I love how this simple loaf of bread has taught me a very deep lesson today.  

"STOP COMPARING!!  There is ALWAYS tomorrow and you have so much to learn from today!  

STOP WORRYING and just KEEP TRYING!"

I don't know that I suffer from actual depression, because I know it starts from somewhere.  Finding out what the somewhere or something is (a belief, a standard, an expectation, etc.) that is the real challenge.  But until I do find out what it is, I have to deal with the negative emotions that are caused from this mystery "something."  But today, I think I nailed one of those thoughts or beliefs down. . . PERFECTIONISM!

Boy have a I struggled with perfectionism in my life.  Just when I calm myself down, another bout hits me square in the nose.  It just blind-sides me and boy can it knock me out.  

Thankfully, this little loaf of bread gave me just the perspective I needed to get through this rough day.  It was filled with thoughts of comparing myself to: who I thought I was going to be, the way I thought my children would behave or succeed, the way I would look or act in any given situation, the way I would feel everyday about life and learning.  Oh, the list could go on and on.  So why bore us all.

The wonderful point to it all is the fact that . . . I stopped!  As soon as I saw the fallen, upside-down loaf of bread and turned it right-side up, I KNEW!  I knew that life has its ups and downs but this loaf of bread is STILL GOOD!  It is STILL EATABLE!  It is STILL of GOOD USE to my family.  And, it is STILL a CREATION that I made with hope, love and joy!  

            

Sure, it may have turned out looking more like a leftover hunk of mixed cement.  But it will feed my family, it gave me a good laugh and it helped put my heart, mind and spirit back into perspective.  So . . . if you ever feel like a fallen loaf of bread, guess what??  

YOU ARE STILL EVERYTHING WE NEED YOU TO BE!  

YOU are loved!  

YOU are important!!  

And YOU are NOT a waste!  

Now . . . go enjoy your day!

Love, 

School of Life

The First Day of School

2013 - 2014

  

   What an exciting day!!!  My kiddos have seriously been waiting for school to FINALLY start up again.  For me personally, that kind of an attitude is a HUGE victory!  I can't help but think back to ALL the years my kids struggled to go to school.  Tears, tantrums, cases of the "Bad Attitudes" and other memories that I don't wish to ever repeat.  But . . . with all of those hardships came some of the sweetest blessings.  

    First of all, I wouldn't be feeling SO GRATEFUL or SO PROUD of my kids today, IF we had never experienced those difficult and trying times.  Second, I wouldn't be the woman and mother that I am today.  I look back to those early years with E and remember how scared I was, how confused and utterly lost I felt, and how hopeless things looked.  Now, 10 years later, I can hold my head up high and praise my Father in Heaven for not only helping us get to where we are today, but THANK HIM for the WONDERFUL opportunities that came our way to learn, grown and connect with Him on a deeper, more personal level.

   Only through trials do we more easily fall to our knees!  If nothing else, my kiddos and I were taught that prayer MATTERS!  That hope is alive and well.  And that ANYTHING is possible! I am so proud to be a mother and to be the mother of 4 incredible, talented and beautiful children (inside and out), that Heavenly Father has created.  I am one blessed and happy mama!

   This year, school started a tad bit early.   August 21st to be exact.  It was fun for the kids to not have to wait too long for school to start, but it sure did make wrapping up our Summer pretty tough.  Between scout camps, family reunions, visits from friends from Texas (Scott's and Barrett's), band camp, family vacation to Mount Rushmore and everything in between - we just felt like summer flew by in a hurry!  Poor Paul felt it the worst.  He never quite had a break.  Between fixing my dad's RV trailer, business trips, scout camp and the family reunion; he just never seemed to have any time to just relax.  So . . . we are doing that now.  Yes, after school has started!

   But I digress, we are here to talk about the First Day of School . . . and here it is!  E was the first to take on the brand new school year.  He was super about getting up, dressed, lunch made, breakfast  made and scriptures read . . . all before I even woke up.  (Again, summer was rough and it sure was difficult to embrace an early school schedule again).  I was so tickled to see how excited he was to get to school!

Of course pictures were a bit of a nuisance, but that is the prerogative of any parent!  

A first day of school picture is a MUST!  Aren't I right?

   Because I had volunteered to help with the Back to School Dinner for the teachers and staff, I actually had to get to the elementary school pretty early on the First Day of School.  But K and G didn't seem to mind.  They were actually pretty excited to just get that first moment over with.  So . . . we got to school before the sun had even really come up.  (that is why the picture is so dark)

   My all day elementary kiddos!

   G was SO excited!  K too, but more to see her friends.  G just wanted to get to his desk (first one ever) and get right to work.  This year, both K and G have teachers with the same last name.  We thought that was pretty cool and made it a fun way to start a new year.

   I took the kiddos into the teacher's lounge, while I washed ALL the dishes from the dinner the night before, but K just couldn't wait.  She yelled, "Bye Mom!" and off she went.  (sniff, sniff)  G just paced back and forth.  He couldn't stand the excitement of FINALLY being in the first grade.  I washed as fast as I could, but we were so early, there really wasn't any reason to go any faster.  But G couldn't stand it.  So, finally, I finished up the best I could and put him out of his misery.  That walk to his First Grade door was the longest walk I have ever made with G.  I realized in that moment that he would NEVER be home with me again.  His todder, preschool years were officially over.  He was now in the hands of "strangers" to mold and hopefully develop him into the young man I know he can be.  I love that little boy!  From the moment he was born, he has been a joy to us.  I just pray others will see that same joy in him and will embrace it and not let any harm come to his gift to love freely.

 

 G's classroom is decorated like a jungle Australian/African Safari.  He chose the Tiger Table at the very back of the room.  He also chose to sit by his best friend from Kindergarten.

   Well, after a tender hearted good-bye, from me of course (G was too busy getting to work), I strolled down the long hall towards the front doors of the school.  Then it hit me . . . what about K!?!?  Just because she said, "Bye Mom!", doesn't mean I can't go see her too?  So . . . I DID!!  I walked down another long hall to K's classroom.  I walked in the doorway and asked the teacher if I could just talk to K a minute.  She is a brand new teacher at Oakridge (actually a sister to one of my neighbors/walking friends).  She said it was okay, so I snuck in and snapped a picture of her at her desk.

 K sitting next to a new friend named after a famous city.  K insisted on doing her own hair the first week of school.  She did allow me to help tie ribbons in her hair.  I took this picture for her to see if she approved of them.  She did.  And the last photo is added because this is all she would let me take of her around the first day of school.  So, this is K enjoying bacon for the first time - CRISPY!  She has had a hard time eating bacon since she was little, too fatty.  But burning the bacon seemed to solve that problem. 
Boy is she growing up fast!

   Luckily K was pretty cool about me taking her picture (thank heavens!).  But before I left, I reminded her that it was her responsibility to watch over G, just as E had watched over her.  She said, in her "you're bugging me mom voice",  "I KNOW MOM!"  And that was that.  My cue to leave was given.  Ouch!  Boy is parenting tough some days.  Instead of giving her my "you're in big trouble face", I chose to smile and just let her attitude toward me go.  I realized that she was just trying to be her and didn't need a parent around to do that.  So, I grabbed the only hand I had left to hold, L's, and we made the long walk down the empty hall to the front doors of the school.  (sniff, sniff)

   We had only been away from the school a few minutes when L started to speak up and tell me ALL about the day she had planned for us.  WHAT?!?!?  Uh oh, I'm in BIG TROUBLE!  I did try to comply with what she wanted to do, but after playing Barbies, reading stories and her insisting we play "Mommy and Baby" (where I play the mommy and she pretends to be my baby.  Why are we pretending to play this game again?  I believe we already are doing this in real life, so why do we need to pretend?) . . . and then an answer to a prayer came.  A friend called and invited us to the Duck Park.  YIPPEE!!  I've been saved!

This is Swan Lake Barbie, in her wedding dress, dancing with her new hubby, Troy Bolton from High School Musical.  The best part about Troy is that on HIS wedding day, he felt that a Pizza Hut shirt with patched wool pants would make their day extra special.  I love this kid!

  I had no idea how HARD it was going to be with L, now that her siblings and also her best friend were in school.  L being home alone was, well to put it kindly, torture.  She was SO BORED, and SO EMOTIONAL.  She insisted I play with her just to spare her from having to play by herself.  It was the LONGEST 2 weeks of my life with her.  I felt so awful for her. I would play here and there with her, but I also felt strongly that she needed to learn to play by herself.  It was a tough lesson for both of us, but she was brave and worked through it.  Fortunately L's best friend didn't start school until a week later, so we were able to sneak in one more play date at the Fort Union Splash Park.  It was a magical day for both of us!

L's swimming suit for the summer (a rash guard body suit with a Dora the Explorer swimsuit on top.)

   After a fun Labor Day weekend of: cleaning the church building, going to see Epic at the dollar movie theater (with popcorn and a drink), a much needed nap for mom (while everyone else watched t.v. with Paul - ya, I know, not like him but even Paul needs a break once in awhile), Fast Sunday - that wasn't too fast (look for the funny down below from G), Paul making dinner for the second night in a row (company pork chops), a Monday morning trip to the Zoo with Grandma and Grandpa Whitchurch to see the Lego throughout the zoo (as well as the animals), with lunch at their house and a fun visit (until 4) and then Uncle Jeff and Aunt Rachel and their two kiddos over for homemade pizzas and ice cream for dinner . . . it was FINALLY the night before L got to go to preschool!  And boy was she excited!!

   She couldn't believe she had FINALLY made it to preschool.  She has waited for this day as long as she can remember (for a kid, that is a LONG time!)  She told me she was a bit scared but she wasn't going to let that stop her.  She was so sweet and "let" me take her picture several times (she is our kid that if she doesn't want her picture taken, you CAN'T make her!)  We got her all settled and checked in and mom was on her way.  (no sniff, sniff . . . until I got home and looked at Facebook.)

   I was so proud of myself.  I told myself, "LOOK!  You are doing it!  You CAN do this!  L and the other kids going to school is just part of life.  There is nothing to cry about or be sad about.  This is the cycle of life.  You are SUPPOSED to be doing this.  So be cool and let it just be this way."  So instead of feeling sad, I decided to send my mom a post on Facebook to show her L's first day of school.  

   All was fine UNTIL . . . . I saw Paul's brother's post that his oldest son was off on his mission.  They shared a photo they had taken at the airport, as they were saying their good-byes.  Everyone was smiling but each had a look on their face like, "We HAVE to let him go!  We have too!!"  Even the oldest son had that look as well.  That was it!  I BURST into tears.  I couldn't hold them back.  I looked at the picture again, through tear-filled eyes, and noticed the way the oldest son and his mother had their heads tilted toward each other.  Almost a last moment to touch the child you held, cuddled, rocked to sleep, tried tears for, bandaged scrapes for, encouraged, motivated, scolded, prayed for, loved unconditionally for SO MANY YEARS and now he is going, going far away where you can't be that for him physically anymore. My heart just filled with tears and I had to let them pour out.

  It hit me then, how fast this time with our kids truly goes by.  I can still remember bringing each of my children home for the first time - ALL 5 of them!  I can still feel the softness of their skin, the grip of their tiny hands around my humongous finger, the way they squealed when I walked into the room.  And now look at them, all growing up and learning more each day, and most importantly, how to live without needing me so closely involved in their lives.  

   Now, don't get me wrong, I KNOW I am still needed and will be for eternity.  But there will never be a moment quite like this again.  Never will I be the ONLY thing they need.  It makes me think of Heavenly Father and how stubborn we are to push Him away and "SHOW" Him that we can do it all on our own.  But, no matter how hard we try, we just can't seem to be as happy, or as confident, or as successful without His love and support.  So, I have faith.  Even though my children are growing up, right before my eyes, I know they will still need me as long as they live and that helps me know that what is happening is just fine.  (As long as I can finish this blog post without completely ruining my make-up).

  I can't help but be happy that I am doing the job / calling I feel I was sent here to do.  I know that today, women are striving to have it all, to be it all and to do MORE than be "just a mom!"  But from what I have learned, in my 36+ years on this earth, being a mom truly is a gift, something to be treasured.  I am SO GRATEFUL I am actually learning to treasure this time with my kids, instead of wishing it away or hurrying it up faster.  Because before I know it  . . . THIS BOY will be gone and doing what he was sent here to do and I will be that mom, at the airport of life, tilting my head towards his, grasping at one last touch, one last moment to call him my baby and then let him fly.  Boy is being a mom not for the faint of heart!!!

*  So, I can't end with just tears.  I MUST leave you with a funny from our Joy Boy, G!  *

Last Sunday was Fast Sunday in our church (one Sunday a month that members of our church set aside to fast for two meals.  We then take the money we would have spent on those two meals, and for some we donate much more, and donate it to our church to be given to those who need it.  That is why we call it Fast Sunday.  It is one of my favorite days of  the month.  But for a small boy . . .well, I'll let him tell you what he thinks of this day.)

  "Me and the three youngest kiddos were sitting on a chapel pew, listening to the speakers.  Church had been going on for quite awhile but we still had about 25 minutes left of the meeting.  G was having a hard time.  Even though he was busily coloring, he just couldn't seem to sit still and he seemed to fidget quite a bit, even while he was coloring.  I was worried how long he was going to actually be able to stay busy, when all of a sudden he asked:

G:  "Mom, is today Fast Sunday?"  

Me:  "Why yes G, it is?!"

G sits there for a minute, starts to fidget and looks around the chapel.  Then with a big SIGH he states:

"Well, it SURE isn't GOING VERY FAST!"

I started to laugh but realized that the person speaking was actually crying at this point, so I stopped myself immediately and leaned over to G and said, "We'll talk about this later, because that isn't what Fast means for Fast Sunday."  

He just looked at me, almost bored to tears, but fortunately he went back to coloring.  Poor kid.

  ~  Have a great day!

Homemade Instant Oatmeal

      
 

 I LOVE to make food from scratch.  I still remember the first time I heard the term "from scratch."  I was a newlywed and was visiting with my mother-in-law in her kitchen one afternoon.  Her two youngest daughters were also in the kitchen, making a cake.  I was so excited to be there because I thought I could help. (I was still trying to prove to my in-laws that their son had married a good catch.  And making cakes was my thing!)  I was watching the girls, waiting for them to grab a box of cake mix from the cupboard, but they never did.  Instead it looked as if they were making cookies?  

I asked, "Aren't you making a cake?"  My mother-in-law said, "Yes, but they are making it from scratch."  WHAT?!?  I honestly didn't know what that meant.  I was 19 years old and had never heard that term.  Fortunately my new and very cute husband came into the room just in time to tell me what "from scratch" meant.  I was honestly SHOCKED that I could actually make something myself, that I normally bought at the store.  And all I needed was a basic stock of ingredients and wala, you can make almost anything!

Since that day, almost 17 years ago, I have had a passion to learn HOW to cook and FROM SCRATCH.  I have enjoyed making all sorts of food.  First desserts, then casseroles, then sweet breads, then yeast breads, then onto well balanced meals, stews, soups, food storage meal planning and now onto replacing processed foods for my own homemade foods.  Who knew you could learn to make SO MANY DIFFERENT things and all from the convenience of your own home?

 I also LOVE that I have control over what my family is eating.  I KNOW what is in everything we eat.  We love eating whole foods and storing foods that can be used to make things we eat every day.  What a fun way to live!

So today, I decided to share my latest creation . . . Instant Oatmeal Jars.

 

 Why jars?  Well, last week I made homemade granola and put it in a jar as a gift.  It was so well received and so easy to store (plus I have a MILLION jars in my basement just sitting around, doing nothing) that I thought this would be a fun and easy way to store oatmeal.  Besides . . . I can't stand using plastic baggies.  We use them WAY TO OFTEN and I don't like that they just end up in the recycling bin.  

By using a cute jar and an easy to use lid, you can make oatmeal just ask quickly as tearing into a paper packet from the store.  This recipe is SO EASY to create and it makes enough to fill two mason jars.  That is 24 individual servings = about 5 - 6 weeks worth of oatmeal in my home!  

I got the basic recipe from this website One Good Thing by Jillee.  She was the one who shared with me the secret to making the creamy oatmeal you are used to in instant packets.  

Do you want to know what the secret is . . . 

blend a portion of the the oatmeal in your blender.  

Yep!  That's right.  And it is SO EASY to do!

 

 I also LOVE the powdered milk added to this recipe.  You can substitute the powdered milk for creamer or just omit it and use milk from your fridge instead of water.  But it is up to you!  You can make this as easy or as complex as you want.  I just happened to have powdered milk on hand, so it was a great use of my food storage.  I also love how easy this breakfast is for my older children to make for themselves. 

We don't like our oatmeal as sweet as the stores make it and when I tasted Jillee's recipe I found it too sweet and too salty as well.  So I changed our recipe to 3/4 cup sugar instead of 1 cup and I also lowered the salt to 3/4 teaspoon. After you have a few dishes of this creamy oatmeal, you can decide what your family would like more or less of as well.  Cooking is so much fun!

Another change I made was to half her recipe.  First of all it was all the oatmeal I had on hand but I also felt that a smaller batch would be a great trial run for my family.  I really don't like wasting food.  I can't tell you how many recipes I have made and made too much of, only to have my family dislike it for some reason or another.  If it turns out that my family doesn't like this recipe, at least I can alter it to their taste for the time being and then make adjustments with the next batch. (Add sprinkle of salt if too sweet.  Add sugar if too salty or not sweet enough.  If still too sweet or salty, I am going to add more plain oats to mild it down.)  

The last change I made came when I made a 1/2 cup oatmeal for my littlest one.  She only ate half of it.  So I decided to just half the serving size all together.  If the kids want more, they can always double the serving size.  (A great mommy trick to encouraging the development of their math skills!!)

 

As you can see, the recipe is VERY simple and all it takes is a mixing bowl, spoon and your blender.  I made this mix and heated up a bowl of it, all before my littlest asked where her breakfast was. 

(Yes, she is that bossy!)  So there you go, instant oatmeal in a jar.  And it looks SO CUTE on your pantry shelf too!

(of course I took that huge bow off, let's be practical now - wink, wink.)