~Two Loafs of Bread~

 Gary and I made "tried" to make bread...We were going to use the Basic White Bread recipe, but after going through the Kitchen Aide book of recipe's again we decided to go with the Rapid Mix  Cool Rise White  Bread recipe, it said it was the best for beginners. We followed the directions and timed every minute.. yep we sure did.

 Mixed the flour, sugar, salt, yeast and butter.

Checked the water to make sure it was at the right temp. 120 to 130 F.. with my Moms old candy thermometer.  

 Covered the bowl with plastic wrap and a towel for 20 minutes.
Then  rolled the the dough according to the directions.  I think I rolled one loaf to tight..it looked really weird! but I was afraid to re-roll it.
So into the creased loaf pans they went and into the refrigerator for 2.5 hours.  I used my Mom's bread pans she used to bake bread in when I was a little girl.

 I watched a Lifetime movie and Gary went into his office to Work... until the time had passed until we were able to put the bread into the oven..

 Well here they are...I know don't laugh, stop laughing now....O.K. you can laugh, we laughed too! Our bread turned out so funny looking!

 The loaf on the right looks OK, but the one on the left, well the poor little thing is not so pretty...

We saved the best loaf for Mom and Dad and brought it over to them..Gary cut the not so pretty loaf for us..it kinda looks like french bread instead of white bread don't you think..I thought so...

 All thou our bread didn't look pretty, it tasted really good! we added some butter,

and then spread some home made apricot jam on top..our sweet dear friend Dolores made the jam and gifted Gary and I a few jars, she even made strawberry jam..
Gary and I had fun baking together..we will diffidently try baking bread again...I must say our bread looked nothing like the beautiful photo in the Kitchen Aid cook book, big sigh...but that's O.K with us. We will keep tyring.
Thank you so much for all your helpful hits, we really appreciated them... 

Love you all and happy baking..

Big Hugs, Elizabeth and Gary

~This Baby is Mine~

 How Sweet it is! I am so excited! I really am..
 My Mom and Dad gifted Gary and I a brand new Kitchen Aid...I love her! I do and I can't wait to use her.

 I think she is so pretty....

 Do you remember using metal pie pans for baking...I use to use them all the time. Now I guess they are "vintage" LOL along with me...

So this weekend Gary and I are going to make "Basic White Bread" we are going to use the recipe out of the book that came along with the Kitchen Aid mixer...keep your fingers crossed for us, this will be our first time baking bread together..LOL
I think we might end up with flour on the ceiling..
If anyone has any tips on using the Kitchen Aid and baking bread please share...

I hope you all have a  wonderful and fun weekend!

~Moving "things" Around & A New Table Runner~

There are so many colors that make me happy, but I must admit Red does it for me every time..I just adore the color Red, but you all know that about me..so during Christmas while shopping for fabric I run across this pre-made runner that can be purchased by the yard, all you have to do is finish off the seams. So I added the cute white frayed ruffle. I am really loving the ruffle look! A very quick and fun project any one can sew up.

 The runner is on our dinning room table.

 So now that all the Christmas decorations are put away, I thought it would be fun to change around some the furniture. Gary and I brought out the red double sized recliner from the Master Bedroom  and brought it into the living room. Moved Gary's leather recliner to sit along side the red recliner and moved the plaid couch across from the white couch.
The buffet that was behind the plaid couch in now in the garage. Not for sure what I want to do with it. As much as I like it and all, it really wasn't what I had wanted. I am thinking of painting it and using it as a dresser or I might sale it.. So if any of you girls live in my area and might be interested in it, please let me know and we'll talk.

 I have really been enjoying the red recliner! Gary and I  were laughing about the mama and the papa chairs side by side. This weekend the grands were over and they sat with me in the red recliner, yep two grads and the Grandma all in one chair, it was so fun to cuddle with them...

I love to mix and match my furniture and move it all around. It always give the room a fresh look.

Have a lovely week, I'll be thinking of you all..

I am sharing this post with Susan's Metamorphosis Monday Between Naps on the Porch and Cielo's Show off your Cottage Monday House in the Roses.

~Sophie's Bloomers Bag~

 A big hug a kiss and a very happy "HELLOooooo" to you all....I have miss you all so much! I have tried to visit as much as possible but time has not allowed me to visit as much as I would like..
We have had family visiting and staying with us off and on since before Christmas (it was a lovely visit) and with all the holidays time has just slipped away from me. Also I forgot my camera at our Daughter's home during Christmas and she just brought it me last weekend, so I was with out my camera (it was just terrible) I had camera withdrawals..LOL

I  was able to do some sewing before my Christmas break from work was over and  I sewed the "Sophie's Bloomer Bag" created by Becky from "Sweet Cottage Dreams" !. I used dark gray 100% suiting wool and a plaid grey and white wool for the ruffled bloomers, I lined the bag with water proof dark gray/black fabric, also I did not finish  the hem of the ruffles, instead I pulled the threads of fabric to leave a softer look since I was using wool and wool can tend to be heavy.
Sophie's Bloomer Bag is going to our daughter Desire'. Desire' wanted the ruffles on one side of the bag, Becky designed Sophie's Bloomer Bag with ruffles all the way around and she uses the pretties fabrics they are so light and fresh and very summery.

I enjoyed sewing Becky design and Desire' LOVES her bag!  Our granddaughter Aleena wants one too, she says she wants to bring it school to carry a few of her books in..How sweet is that! Thank you Becky for designing a bag that all ages love!..

If you would like to purchase the Sophie's Bloomers Bag pattern just go over to Sweet Cottage Dreams and order it from Becky..

~Rain Rain and More Rain~

We had so much rain in Modesto over the weekend our old neighborhood storm drains could not work fast enough! You can see the houses along the corners had watter up to their lawns. Of course this is not anything like the floods we read  about in the mid west and east. Our neighbors advised us this happens every year because of the inadequate storm drains.

The lovely house you see belongs to our neighbor and sweet young couple.

 I love the reflections of the trees in the water. 

There was flooding all over the neighborhood, this view is from our front door looking down the street.

You can also see the flooding was down all four way blocks. Being on a corner can be very exciting.

I took this photo from our front door. This is our island planter in the front yard, our flag was blowing in the wind...I should say whipping in the wind.

Aww, I little calmness between storms.. I could actually hear the wind blowing inside the house.

 It was the weekend to stay inside all cuddled up with the ones you love by the fire..and watch T.V. (We have been watching 24 with Jack Bauer) we purchased all 8 seasons and are now watching the final  season..

Gary's Sister Sue and Brother n Law Bruce and My Sister Margo and Brother n law David are both coming to spend a few days with us... it's going to be a slumber party! we will play cards, drink a little (HEHEHE) just a little Christmas cheer.. and tell old stories.

Gary and I would like to wish you all peace in your hearts, joy in your smiles, and your arms wraped around the ones you love!

We'll be taking a week or so off to spend with our family...we also just had two babies born this weekend, two of our nieces just had their babies one on Sat. and the other Sun.. yes one day apart and they are sisters..What a wonderful way to end the year!

God bless you all! and Merry Christmas!

~Christmas Blessings~

From our home to yours Gary and I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Gods Blessing to you all!

May Christmas warm your heart with the memories of Christmas's passed and may the future hold love and joy and hopes of all your dreams coming true.

This is our Bible, today while thumbing through the pages I came across this lovely portrait of the Mother Mary looking upon baby Jesus.

 I remember as a little girl sitting in Church and trying not to wiggle to much in the pew. I would look through my small white bible that nestled perfectly in  my hands. I would look at all the pictures to pass the time and thinking how pretty they were..(its hard for children to sit still for long and I was no exception)

 Next to the photo is a list of Beautiful Marion Prayers that I would like to share with you.. 

You can enlarge the photo if you like.

Have a sweet day my friends!