A memory

Not often anymore do I find myself going back in time to a place almost forgotten. The memories from the past. A time much simpler, pure er. Filled with sweet memories, the dearest of few that have held such a place in my heart. Today after church was one of those special moments, when time stood still. Memories flowed through my mind, bringing the feeling you have when you can smell, almost taste, fall in the air. The grass still green but yet the change in the wind is certainly clear. When that happens, my heart almost skips a beat. It's a time I can still see so clearly. It was of a man with such rich black hair, thin frame and loving eyes that I will never forget.  Of a smile that catches your heart and you know that his love was true.  His laugh was so contagious, still thinking about it brings joy to my heart. To be called his daughter, taught by him, loved by him, that is truly one of the greatest blessings God has given me, giving me my father.

Caramel

Fall is here and with saying that here come the recipes to go with the season!

Making Caramel can be pretty intimidating at times, but once you know the basics, it's easy as pie! Here is a great caramel recipe that anyone can use. It works perfect to top on your walnut brownies or to use as a dip for your apples when your feeling that need for something sweet!

 In medium pot

1/4 Cup Water

1 1/2 Cup Sugar

1/4 Cup Light Corn Syrup

Stir together.

Put on medium heat and let boil till Amber in color.
NEVER stir sugar mix during this process, it will cause the sugar to crystallize and there is no saving that!

In a small pot heat
1 Cup Heavy Cream
4 Tbsp Butter
 
Just heat until steam starts to rise from mixture never reaching boiling or simmering point, stirring continually.  You just want it to be warm so that when you add it to the boiled sugar that it will not curdle on you. 

Once Sugar mixture is amber in color lower heat to low.

Slowly add cream mixture to it.  

Be VERY careful not to burn yourself. It will double in size from boiling up and the steam is so strong that it can burn you. SO keep your hands, face, and anything else you don't want burnt from the top of the caramel. When you pour the cream mixture in, the handle on your pot will be great enough distance away from any harm.  Use a whisk and only mix for 10 seconds. Let cook for 1 minute, whisk again, and then but in a heat safe bowl to cool or add it right on top of something yummy! 



This is NOT a kid friendly recipe.

To the Months that have passed

        A complete blessing that only God can give is exactly what I received June 25 of this year.  Ethan and Aubrey, now nearly 4 months old, have been a life changer. I am so blessed by such sweet, tender hearted children. Thankfully labor wasn't rough, they started sleeping through the night at one month, and now spend their days with laughter and smiles, unless demanding the much needed bottle or change of a deathly stank diaper. Yes, I fully understand that this is not normal from babies and leap for joy for what God has given me.
       Times in my life have seem unbearably rough, however I look at the outcome of my determination. I was determined to never give up, never give in, and to always, always stand firm in that the Lord is good and never changing. For if i didn't, I would not be here, looking at my sweet babies thriving on life and filling my heart with more joy than I ever could have imagined.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Be on your Guard; Stand firm in Faith; Be Courageous; Be strong. Do everything in Love.

I was 8 months pregnant in the first picture in St. Augustine, Florida. The second was 6 months later with two beautiful babies nearly 4 months old in the same spot!!

Holy Pita

Tonight was a tuna salad, whole wheat pita kinda night. This recipe is super simple and only takes about 2 hours out of your life, most of it being prep time. I absolutely LOVE pita but getting it from the store sometimes just doesn't fit into my budget. This recipe is very simple in the ingredients department and it so happens that I had everything in my pantry! Don't you just love when that happens?

Whole Wheat Pita

(makes 8 Pitas, Doubles easily!)

3 Cups Whole Wheat or All purpose Flour

1 1/4 Cup Warm Water

1-1/4 oz active dry yeast packet or 2 1/4 teaspoons 

1 1/2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

2 teaspoons salt

1 Tablespoon sugar

Proof Yeast by combining the packet of yeast in a bowl with 1/2 Cup warm water and sugar.  Let sit for 10 minutes, yeast should start to foam up, if not then your yeast has died and is no good.  When you add the sugar into the bowl that acts as food to the yeast, bringing it to life.

In stand up mixer add the rest of the ingredients, including the rest of your water (3/4 Cups). With Your dough hook you want to blend them together for 30 seconds, if yeast and salt directly meet then the yeast will die. NEVER add salt to your yeast directly. Then add your yeast mixture in and let your dough hook do the work for 5 minutes on med-low speed. Your dough should come together, if not add a little water, if too wet add a little more flour. 

Place dough on a floured surface and knead it for 10 minutes. This is my favorite step, feeling the dough and working with it in my hands. However if you would rather skip this step then leave it in your stand up mixer for 10 more minutes with dough hook on medium-low speed. 

Oil a bowl that is double the size or larger than the dough. Place dough in bowl, cover with a lightly damp cloth and place in a warm dry area. I put mine in my oven (not on of course). Let rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, until doubled in size. 

Turn Oven on to 400, and place a cooking stone or sheet pan in the oven to get hot.

 

Punch down dough and cut into 8 equal pieces, roll into balls, handling the dough as little as possible, and then cover with your lightly damp towel. Let rest/rise for 10 minutes. Then roll out dough in 1/4 inch circles.

Let rest for 10 more minutes, VERY important step.  

Place pita on stone, close the door, and watch it rise before your eyes. It will only takes about 3 to 6 minutes to cook. Once you pull them out, set them on top of each other. This helps release the air. 

Enjoy!