A few weeks ago I bitched a little bit about how much work it is to make most foods from scratch. My new motto, "If I CAN make it myself then I SHOULD make it myself" has been difficult to live up to in some respect - particularly not purchasing "corporate" bread. Lucky for my sanity, I've found two yeast bread recipes that will make my life a little bit easier.
I've found a great hoagie bun recipe that is both easy and versatile courtesy of Taste of Home. You can find it here, and I suggest that if you ever get the urge to make some buns then try these. I've used them toasted for french dip sandwiches and used them for regular sandwich rolls. Mmmmm!
I've also found an easy, healthy, and ample recipe for an all-purpose wheat bread for everyday use. It made great egg-in-a-basket, sandwiches, french toast, grilled cheese, and toast. I found it here on Allrecipes. It makes three loaves (which lasts about 3 days here), and I froze one to see how it turned out after being thawed - it was great.
Pizza dough from scratch is really easy and delicious. Here's a nice recipe for a basic pizza dough, but I've made a few changes. I add almost a teaspoon each more sugar (or honey) and sea salt. I also use olive oil instead of vegetable oil. I've added herbs and garlic to the crust, as well, and it's really good. I guess if I give you a crust recipe I should provide a homemade pizza sauce recipe. I don't use the canned tomato sauce called for in the recipe because I still have tomatoes from our garden frozen in the deep freezer.
I hope maybe you'll find the time to try some yeast breads in your kitchens. Maybe you won't make them every day like I do, but that's only because you're not a sucker for punishment.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Take Me to Your Leader
Inspired by a New Year's Eve conversation with a friend, I've been thinking a lot about what it would be like to be a Republican voter right now. During said conversation, I asked my friend who she was planning on voting for in the next election. Her response was such a non-answer that she could probably run for office herself if she has more non-answers like this: "I didn't vote for Barack Obama the first time, and I'm not voting for him this time."
So, she doesn't know who she IS going to vote for, but she does know who she ISN'T going to vote for. Not resigned to take such an apathetic answer, I asked her husband who Republicans should vote for if they are dissatisfied with Obama. I was somewhat surprised when he answered, "Rick Perry." Oh snap!! I quickly changed the subject to avoid ruining the happy New Year's buzz I had thanks to chardonnay and mimosas.
As I recall from the 2008 election season, I didn't know who I wanted vote for: Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. But my indecision was based on having two GOOD choices not five bad choices. The Republicans have spent the last year or so looking for a leader. It seems that most will settle and vote for Mitt Romney if he is the GOP nominee. However, Mr. 25% is certainly not a leader. He doesn't inspire. He doesn't resonate. He's flippy-floppy. He bears the John Kerry-esque stench of money that the common man finds hard to handle.
I want the Republicans to have a leader if only for the sake of my own political discussions among my friends. I want Republicans to have someone to keep them warm at night instead of just a warm body, you know? If they can't give me that then I will continue to have uncomfortable Rick Perry moments with my friends. And I don't like that one bit.
So, she doesn't know who she IS going to vote for, but she does know who she ISN'T going to vote for. Not resigned to take such an apathetic answer, I asked her husband who Republicans should vote for if they are dissatisfied with Obama. I was somewhat surprised when he answered, "Rick Perry." Oh snap!! I quickly changed the subject to avoid ruining the happy New Year's buzz I had thanks to chardonnay and mimosas.
As I recall from the 2008 election season, I didn't know who I wanted vote for: Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. But my indecision was based on having two GOOD choices not five bad choices. The Republicans have spent the last year or so looking for a leader. It seems that most will settle and vote for Mitt Romney if he is the GOP nominee. However, Mr. 25% is certainly not a leader. He doesn't inspire. He doesn't resonate. He's flippy-floppy. He bears the John Kerry-esque stench of money that the common man finds hard to handle.
I want the Republicans to have a leader if only for the sake of my own political discussions among my friends. I want Republicans to have someone to keep them warm at night instead of just a warm body, you know? If they can't give me that then I will continue to have uncomfortable Rick Perry moments with my friends. And I don't like that one bit.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
New Year's Eve 2011
I'm pretty sure last year was the first year we had ever been out for New Year's Eve. It's obviously difficult to go out often when you are pregnant, nursing, or the parents of 4 children. However, now that the kids are all out of diapers and off the boob and mostly able to use the bathroom all by themselves, people are much more willing to watch them. Each new year the kids are a year older and a little easier to handle. Thank goodness.
This year we went out for a repeat performance with our friends D and L. Before we left we had to do our customary self portrait photo:
This year we ate sushi instead of Green Gateau. I'm pretty sure Kinja's Sex and the City rolls are my final meal when I get on death row. Amazing. With our bellies full, we headed to Starbucks for coffee.
Then we, of course, headed out for a few drinks at a martini bar. One of our favorite bars in town, Cliff's, caters to a little more mature crowd. We weren't worried about being surrounded by drunk 21-year-olds when we found a seat near the back of the bar. We were, instead, surrounded by drunk 25 to 50-year-olds.
Our friends went home early, but Colby and I were going to take full advantage of being kid-free. We decided to ring in the New Year in downtown Lincoln with the drunk college-aged crowd. What a sight to be seen. You have no idea how many times I said, "Oh my god, that's someone's daughter." Or maybe, "Did she dress for a date rape?" Or how about, "Jesus christ I am getting old." And, of course, the always popular, "Just because they make it in your size doesn't mean you should wear it."
Lucky for us we found a seat at Jake's Cigar bar with the more hipster, mature crowd. We actually met a really nice couple to spend the remaining hours of our night out. They were in their mid twenties, the parents of a little girl, who hadn't been out to a bar since 2008. He was a Iraq war veteran on disability who worked part time at a bicycle repair shop. She was getting ready to start a new job at Applebee's. Over all, we had a lot in common despite our differences, and they were nice enough to take a photo of us on their camera phone when Colby's malfunctioned. Sadly, the photo never arrived in my e-mail inbox despite the fact that I thought we entered the address correctly in the phone. That's what I get for trying to send an e-mail while drunk. Sigh.
After our midnight kiss and a little more visiting with our new friends, we headed to the truck stop near our house for breakfast a "breakfast" of chicken fried steak, cherry pie, and fried cheese.
We got to bed around 2:30 am, which is the latest we've been up (not including being up with a baby/puking kid/kid with croup). It was a great night to say good-bye to 2011 and ring in 2012.
Happy New Year!
This year we went out for a repeat performance with our friends D and L. Before we left we had to do our customary self portrait photo:
This year we ate sushi instead of Green Gateau. I'm pretty sure Kinja's Sex and the City rolls are my final meal when I get on death row. Amazing. With our bellies full, we headed to Starbucks for coffee.
Then we, of course, headed out for a few drinks at a martini bar. One of our favorite bars in town, Cliff's, caters to a little more mature crowd. We weren't worried about being surrounded by drunk 21-year-olds when we found a seat near the back of the bar. We were, instead, surrounded by drunk 25 to 50-year-olds.
Our friends went home early, but Colby and I were going to take full advantage of being kid-free. We decided to ring in the New Year in downtown Lincoln with the drunk college-aged crowd. What a sight to be seen. You have no idea how many times I said, "Oh my god, that's someone's daughter." Or maybe, "Did she dress for a date rape?" Or how about, "Jesus christ I am getting old." And, of course, the always popular, "Just because they make it in your size doesn't mean you should wear it."
Lucky for us we found a seat at Jake's Cigar bar with the more hipster, mature crowd. We actually met a really nice couple to spend the remaining hours of our night out. They were in their mid twenties, the parents of a little girl, who hadn't been out to a bar since 2008. He was a Iraq war veteran on disability who worked part time at a bicycle repair shop. She was getting ready to start a new job at Applebee's. Over all, we had a lot in common despite our differences, and they were nice enough to take a photo of us on their camera phone when Colby's malfunctioned. Sadly, the photo never arrived in my e-mail inbox despite the fact that I thought we entered the address correctly in the phone. That's what I get for trying to send an e-mail while drunk. Sigh.
After our midnight kiss and a little more visiting with our new friends, we headed to the truck stop near our house for breakfast a "breakfast" of chicken fried steak, cherry pie, and fried cheese.
We got to bed around 2:30 am, which is the latest we've been up (not including being up with a baby/puking kid/kid with croup). It was a great night to say good-bye to 2011 and ring in 2012.
Happy New Year!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Happy Hanukkah!
Ever since we spent an evening at a Girl Scout meeting talking about different ways people celebrate December holidays, Evelyn has been enthralled with Hanukkah. She wants a menorah so badly, so I suppose I'll scope out holiday clearance to find one.
In the meantime, I bought her some Hanukkah stickers, and she's had a great time making pictures. Even if those pictures include a Christmas tree.
In the meantime, I bought her some Hanukkah stickers, and she's had a great time making pictures. Even if those pictures include a Christmas tree.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Merry Christmas 2011!!
'Tis the season to be jolly, and the Vescapades family spent plenty of time doing just that! It was so difficult for us to Christmas shop this season because the kids already have everything!! What do you get for the kids who have it all?
My mom and step-dad got Evelyn a bee bee gun. You can tell by the look on her face that she was thrilled:
Dade got a Kindle from my mom, and he's been using it pretty much constantly ever since:
Soren got the T-Rex pillow pet she'd been "wishing for!!!" from my dad and step-mom:
She named him Tigris.
We got Brody a badass sweatshirt:
We spent Christmas with my mom's side of the family at her house in Norfolk. They just built a brand new shed that's bigger than my house, and it did a pretty good job of containing all the Vescapades energy and hijinks.
Christmas Eve was spent with Colby's parents, as usual. Missing from this year's celebration was Jacob, who is off in Afghanistan serving in the Marines. We indulged in all of the best foods holiday gatherings have to offer. We tortured the kids with taking a million photos before we let them open presents. It was, besides Jake's absence, a pretty typical Christmas Eve. I even made kolaches, which haven't made an appearance at a Vesely Christmas is quite awhile.
Dade was, as usual, happy to get candy as a gift. He's really quite easy to please.
My little nephew let me hold him for about 5 seconds. He greatly prefers Uncle Colby.
Colby's grandmother made quilts for all of the kids, but only the girls were willing to take a decent photo:
The day after Christmas was spent with my dad and step-mom in Seward. Can you imagine how full my dad's house will be once my brothers and sisters start having kids?? Plus, my kids may have kids at the same time as my brothers and sisters, so it'll be a really full house. Santa better get ready.
We definitely feel blessed every year as we make the rounds to each family's house for Christmas. We always come home with a van full of toys and goodies and sleepy kids. And occasionally a dog who tries to snuggle up on a car seat with a kid or two.
My mom and step-dad got Evelyn a bee bee gun. You can tell by the look on her face that she was thrilled:
Dade got a Kindle from my mom, and he's been using it pretty much constantly ever since:
Soren got the T-Rex pillow pet she'd been "wishing for!!!" from my dad and step-mom:
She named him Tigris.
We got Brody a badass sweatshirt:
We spent Christmas with my mom's side of the family at her house in Norfolk. They just built a brand new shed that's bigger than my house, and it did a pretty good job of containing all the Vescapades energy and hijinks.
Christmas Eve was spent with Colby's parents, as usual. Missing from this year's celebration was Jacob, who is off in Afghanistan serving in the Marines. We indulged in all of the best foods holiday gatherings have to offer. We tortured the kids with taking a million photos before we let them open presents. It was, besides Jake's absence, a pretty typical Christmas Eve. I even made kolaches, which haven't made an appearance at a Vesely Christmas is quite awhile.
Dade was, as usual, happy to get candy as a gift. He's really quite easy to please.
My little nephew let me hold him for about 5 seconds. He greatly prefers Uncle Colby.
Colby's grandmother made quilts for all of the kids, but only the girls were willing to take a decent photo:
The day after Christmas was spent with my dad and step-mom in Seward. Can you imagine how full my dad's house will be once my brothers and sisters start having kids?? Plus, my kids may have kids at the same time as my brothers and sisters, so it'll be a really full house. Santa better get ready.
We definitely feel blessed every year as we make the rounds to each family's house for Christmas. We always come home with a van full of toys and goodies and sleepy kids. And occasionally a dog who tries to snuggle up on a car seat with a kid or two.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
My New Tattoo
So, that's my new tattoo. It's on the arch of my left foot, and it's pretty small. The symbol is an Om (pronounced aum), which is an important mantra in yoga. The Om symbolizes a unity of ourselves and everything that is. So, it symbolizes our connection to the universe. The Om represents respecting our past, finding joy in the present, accepting what happens in the future, and recognizing the part of us that transcends time.
Why did I put the Om on my foot? In yoga, your feet are your ground, your strength. If I feel like I am struggling in my yoga practice, I have a reminder that I am strong and grounded, that I can meet a challenge or accept my shortcoming. Yoga is about accepting your body for its strengths and weaknesses, challenging yourself in both mind and body, and finding joy not in "things" but in life itself. It's a pretty powerful symbol, and I hope I can live up to it's meaning.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Goodies
Every year I make candies and cookies for our friends and neighbors. Our neighbors across the street also earned themselves a bottle of wine for being so awesome. This year our treat boxes included Rolo Turtles, glazed lemon cookies, peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, thin mints, candy coated pretzels, and cranberry oatmeal bars. I even saved some high-quality take out containers that held the goodies perfectly!
Nothing says "Happy Holidays!" like eating lots of homemade junk food. If you gain 5lbs during the holidays it's probably because people like you enough to give you goodies. And for that 5 lbs is a small price to pay.
Nothing says "Happy Holidays!" like eating lots of homemade junk food. If you gain 5lbs during the holidays it's probably because people like you enough to give you goodies. And for that 5 lbs is a small price to pay.
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