Homemade Crackers

I tried out this new recipe for homemade crackers today, it's a keeper!

They're like Wheat Thins, and even Cooper ate them happily. YUM!

New Word!

Define "mores".

Heard it in a workshop...didn't know it. Now I do!

How would you use it?

Ummmm....

Today I have a cold, just like yesterday and the day before that.

I chugged through the day saying "It sounds worse that I feel...".
However my head was not in the game..the long division game, the how to read a text book game, the how to read non fiction game, the how to write persuasively game, the cub scout how to eat according to that triangle/pyramid thing game, the basketball yes I said I'd help but can't get out of my own way game.

Today I learned I've got no game.

:(

Got Salt?

I have been known to wing most things in life.. In the classroom, on a vacation, and in the kitchen. This surely makes chefs and cooks quiver but its just the way I roll. I rarely follow a recipe in it's entirety: I don't have all of the ingredients, I wish one ingredient wasn't listed...you get it.

Salt is one of those ingredients I often leave out. Too much sodium is bad for you, right? Well thanks to another snow day baker I am reformed! Who knew salt had a serious job? Apparently in the case of baked bread it slows the fermentation process so things don't get too wild in your dough, it strengthens the gluten(who wants to eat weak gluten?), and of course it adds flavor. Hmmm. I guess I'd better go refill my salt shaker while you read this link. Happy baking.
http://whatscookingamerica.net/Q-A/SaltUsing.htm

:)

Snow Day Rituals

I have been living with my head in the sand. Or the snow as the case may be...I have been teaching for 12 years and never, until today, have I heard the special combination of events that assures a snow day.

The night before an impending storm:

1. Turn your pajamas inside out.
2. Put a spoon under your pillow.
3. Flush ice down the toilet.

Apparently practiced by school children and lunch ladies through eternity, it's sure to work.

Sorry if you wake up with a wooden spoon in your face, Shawn!

Cold season Remedy?

Cough Cough...tried this recipe as someone at work swears that her husband's version works every time.

http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/hot-toddy/Detail.aspx


Cough cough...

Maybe I need him to make mine. (but I learned something new!!)

Homemade Yogurt

Over the holiday break I treated myself to a yogurt maker. My sister gave me a gift certificate to King Arthur Flour a few years ago and I found it while cleaning...whoops. I decided to buy something I would never otherwise have purchased. Thus the yogurt maker. I am surprised at how simple the process of making yogurt is.

What are the benefits of making yogurt yourself? Can it save me money? Is it healthier even though I'm buying milk from some enormous farm feeding their cows whatever? Are we creating less waste?

The handy maker that I bought is not even sort of necessary to create a delicious batch of yogurt in your kitchen according to the research I've done. It's just a fun kitchen gadget that makes me happy. You can make yogurt in your crock pot, on your heating pad, I even found a site that talked about just leaving it out in the sun (my thoughts are don't try this one, but you are all grownups...)

I'll be saving up the whey created to add to bread and trying out some yogurt cheese recipes I've found too. So much fun in my kitchen!

Here's a basic recipe...(you really should Google around though, it's fun!)