Tuesday, March 17, 2009

We just signed . . .

our life away! It's  official-  the notary just left after Russell and I signed our full legal names about 100 times because we got the house we wanted and have been waiting on in Beaumont!
We are moving at the end of this month.  In like 2 weeks!!  Luckily, I've already packed quite a few boxes so next week I can focus on the fun stuff- choosing carpet and wood flooring, furniture, a new fridge and all that kind of stuff.  We are so excited!  It's a 2007, 4 bedroom house with a nice-sized back yard for the kids to play in.  I'll get pictures up in the next couple of weeks!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Great French Bread Recipe

I got this recipe from Russell's sister's blog a while back and have since used it several times.  I made 4 loaves of this french bread this past weekend for a baby shower luncheon I hosted for my friend and neighbor, Christy, and several people were asking for the recipe so, I thought I'd post it for those of you who don't read Jennifer's blog.  Last week I made it to go with lasagna and I cut it in half length wise and spread some softened butter mixed with garlic salt, onion powder and parsley over each half.  I put it in the broiler for a few minutes and ta da!- yummy homemade garlic bread!  The recipe is super simple and rises so nicely!

Dissolve in a small bowl:
2 T yeast (or 2 packets)
½ cup warm water
½ tsp sugar

In large bowl or stand mixer combine: 
2 cups hot water
3 T sugar
1 T salt
½ cup oil

Directions:
Add to the mixture in the mixer/large bowl 3 cups of flour and mix well. Stir in yeast mixture. Add 2-3 cups more flour and mix until well blended. (At this point my dough still seemed a little sticky but not sticking to the edge of the bowl as it was being mixed). Leave in bowl and let rise for 1 hour mixing a few strokes a couple of times. Divide dough into 2 or 3 pieces. Roll each out on a flour surface into the length desired then roll up length wise like a jelly roll. Put on greased cookie sheet sealed side down. Slash the top diagonally across the top with a knife. Brush with egg white. Let rise 30 more minutes. Bake at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes.


As is, the recipe makes 2 of these monsters here.  I usually halve the recipe and just make one for my family.  It makes plenty!