My Bread and Butter

"Bread is the warmest, kindest of all words. Write it always

with a capital letter, like your own name."

-from a cafe sign

I have always loved baking.

Sweets are heaven on earth to me.

But, now, I have a new found love of baking bread.

I know I cheat when I make it, but baby steps here.

Eating a slice of fresh, homemade bread is an experience everyone should have. I didn't have my first slice until about fifteen years ago.

There is something so divine about freshly baked, homemade bread. And, the way your house smells...mmm.

This wheat bread is really easy to make.

I just place my ingredients (warm water, yeast, sugar, wheat flour, gluten, dry milk, salt, vinegar, and oil) in here:

Let my Kitchenaid do the work. (This is how I cheat.)

Let it rise once:

Roll it, shape it, and let it rise in here:

Ready to bake:

Anyone wanna slice?

We have all the toppings you could want with it: butter, honey, honey butter, cinnamon, sandwich fixins. What's your pleasure?

Eureka! We Have "Gold" at Our House

GOLDILOCKS

Laney had her "goldilocks" chopped. About 5 inches to be exact, but it's hard to tell with the curl.

I had bangs cut. I usually tend to over do (ha, no pun intended) hair cuts and go way shorter than I intend (like Laney's hair), so it still isn't the way I truly want.

BUNGALOW GOLD

We painted. It's amazing how a bottle of paint can totally change the look and feel of a room. I love it!! We decided to go with a Tuscan faux finish technique to enliven our plain, ordinary walls.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Why don't you come see for yourself. Things look better in person. Just let me know when and it's a dinner party.

GUESS WHAT

We liked it so much we painted the bathroom too.

I just happen to have before pics too. (Actually that was for another post.)

Isn't it pretty?

When the Cat's Not Looking...

...the mice will play!

While we were at a fun center today, I was with Laney waiting in line for the rock climbing wall, when Tyler comes rushing over to me.

Tyler told me that he had invited, I mean dared, Ethan to climb through this hole to touch the yellow M&M inside "The Claw."

But of course Ethan wouldn't do something like that. I mean, we've spent countless hours teaching him better and to think through things.

He really wouldn't do it.

He did it!

I am the worst mom because all I could do was laugh once he was out of there. And, all I could do when he was in there was assure him that everything would be okay.

The workers at the place were there before Ty had even pulled me over there. They were quick. Ethan spent no more than 3 minutes in there.

While he was in there I could tell he was nervous and scared. And, when he escaped his see-through prison he was visibly upset.

I felt like the natural consequences had taught him much better than anything I would say.

I don't think he'll be doing that again.

"Spring" will Come

I need "spring" in so many ways.

"Winter" is lingering.

As I write this,

snowing is falling and swirling in the cold wind. I physically need spring to be here. My little tulips are poking their heads above ground and I want to see their full splendor in a few more weeks.

And, I have not been able to get warm this winter, my fingers and toes are perpetually cold.

Metaphorically speaking...

Dear t-rex, what art thou?

We are still being chased by the t-rex. We are hopeful that a resolution will be found soon, but it seems like "winter" is lingering with us.

And, did you know that I have had plantar fasciitis for six months. That means no running for six months. No real exercise for six months. No heels for six months. Ugh. I think my foot is almost better. But, I've thought this before. Just because, I chose to exercise three times since Monday. I wanted to see how my foot would do. It's tender. I am not sure if that means I should stop or not. Ugh. I have only been able to exercise (usually walking on the treadmill) once a week while Laney is at gymnastics.

I want to train for another half marathon so badly...which ironically is how I got into this mess. Only this time, I've learned my lesson. I wouldn't over train. I would be careful. I will make sure I am stretching.

I know the "spring" will come, but it sure seems like winter is hanging around for a long time.

They Talk the Talk, and Walk the Walk

I'm talking about Brigham Young University.

Unfortunately, due to his chioces, a star of the BYU basketball team has been kicked off the team...for an honor code violation. They were ranked 3rd in their conference.

Will this decision affect his teammates? Without a doubt.

Could this decision affect their chances at success during the tournaments (conference and NCAA) they are to play in? Without a doubt.

Did Brigham Young University know the consequences of their decision? Without a doubt.

Was this a hard decision to carry out? Without a doubt.

Does this set a good example? Without a doubt.

Do I have so much respect for BYU? Without a doubt.

Oh, what was his choice? to have premarital sex. He signed something called "the honor code" which says he was choosing to abide by it while he attended school. He knew there would be consequences if he didn't follow through. He knew this and still chose to go to Brigham Young University.

At a time when the universities place so much emphasis on sports--mainly due to the money the athletic program brings in to a university--Brigham Young University's decision stands out for being different. Their decision shows they stand for character.

Brigham Young University is what's right with the world.

Happy 13th Valentine's Day

I saw on Facebook this status: Single Awareness Day

Which made me realize once again how lucky I am to have found my amazing husband. I always say that on paper we wouldn't work out because we are such opposites. But for us, opposites attract. And we work. We actually work well together.

I loved celebrating this, our 13th year of being each other's Valentine's. How about we celebrate 50 more?

These yummy treats are what I made for Steve on Valentine's Day.

Some Things You've Missed...

because I haven't posted them...until now.

THE GIRL IN THE MIRROR

Isn't she so cute?

She entertained herself dancing in the mirror for over an hour. She loved that there were 4 of her.

I would take 4 of her in a heartbeat!

TY's 10th BIRTHDAY

Ty's actual family party we celebrated at Grandma's house because Steve, Ethan and Grandpa had gone to a BYU basketball game. (Ty was suppose to go but opted out at that morning. I think he's a little of a home-body like me, like my grandfather.)

Ty is definitely a turning into a tween--scratch that--he is definitely a tween. How did that happen? His biggest want for a present was a pogo stick. And, he loved the $ that MomMom gave to him. He bought more legos. And now can play happily in his room for hours unless his little sister decides to invade his space.

TY's FRIEND PARTY

It was his year for a friend party. My children only get that every other year.

Tyler is a little OCD like his mom. haha. I am not really a diagnosed OCD, but I do become obsessive over things. I am obsessed for a little while and then I find something new to obsess on. For Ty, first it was all things Harry Potter, then Fablehaven, and now it's Legos.

Hence the Lego cake.

(This post isn't about me, or I would talk about how this cake isn't really my best, how I made the frosting wrong, and that I haven't made one in awhile and that it is a skill that you [or maybe it's just me] need to use often or you lose it. I couldn't even remember all the tips from my cake decorating class.)

It was nice to see the boys that Ty invited. It makes my mommy heart smile to see him picking nice friends.

HAIR CUT

I got it cut, but don't really like it. And, I really have't liked it since. I will be growing it out again. (sigh) I haven't been able to really get a pic of me that I like since. But, you get the idea of what it looks like.

ETHAN'S 9th BIRTHDAY

No boy has ever been happier to have his birthday on Super Bowl Sunday! Can you tell which team he wanted? They won, bringing home the birthday joy even more.

It's never too early to start bonding over sports.

Did I mention that we went to Texas Roadhouse for lunch? Ethan loved "riding" in the saddle and getting a Texas "yee haw" birthday wish.

I think Ethan has a cute little preppy style starting to emerge. Aunt Paige would be so proud.

IN MOM'S SHOES

One day I left my boots on the stairs (to be taken upstairs when I go up there...much to Steve's disdain) and look who found them. She thought she was so funny walking around in my boots. She was just laughing and laughing. She is Little Miss Sunshine and finds so much to laugh at.

FOCUS ON RELAXING

We've seen a lot more of this at our house as Steve tries to focus on relaxing. He usually starts and I am able to join in if I know he is doing yoga. I am not great at it, but I am finding the joy in it, especially as we do it together.