Honey Wheat Bread

Hey All! How are things in your world? 

Things here are feeling pretty calm

 after the madness that is eight adults and a busy two year old, plus

 a dog, a cat, and the stomach flu in our little house.

Madness, I tell you. Gah. With a capital G. 

Still and all, it was mostly great. We played awesomely at The Stockade,

which, after all, was one of the main purposes of getting everyone together.

I wish I had some pictures of The Stockade. Evan took a whole bunch,

but I haven't been able to preview any yet.

We did some wonderful music together. 

It is so cool how the music pulls us together.

My favorites are:

No One Stands Alone (Seriously epic. Man!)

Come Thou Fount

and

In The Old Church Yard

(2010- Old and a bit goofy, but it gives a little taste of The Stockade)

 I am so ridiculously grateful for the gift of music in our lives.

I don't know why we were so blessed, but I accept!

We had some growing pains this time, adjusting to being together

 after so much time being independent. It was a little tricky,

but I am still happy to have been able to have my family all (minus Kerry)

under one roof. Awesome!

Anyway, on one of the last days that the kids were here we went to 

go see Grandpa and Grandma's house. It is, sadly, on the market.

It might sell before they get to see it again. We moved so much 

when they were growing up that G and G's house was kind of their stable place. 

We walked through the house and then went out to do "The Tour" in the yard.

So freaking many memories were flying thorough my head. Pretty much all of my

childhood memories are from there. It's a hard thing. I sure miss my dad

and think about calling him at least once a day.

While we were there somehow the subject came up of grinding wheat.

I can't explain it. Weird, right?

Joan got out her grinder and some wheat and we went to town. It was 

so cool. We were absurdly excited.

I've been dying to try our beautiful fresh ground flour.

And today I did. 

And Yum.

Just yum.

Honey Wheat Bread

2 1/2 C Buttermilk

1/2 C Honey

1/3 C Butter

Heat together until very warm. Remove from heat.

In a large bowl mix

3 1/2 C flour

1/2 C Oats

2 T Yeast

3 tsp Salt

and beat three minutes. Mix in

2 Eggs

Then Stir in by hand

2 1/2- 3 C Whole Wheat Flour

Put in greased bowl and let rise until doubled.

Stir down and shape into two loaves. Place in  greased pans.

Let rise until doubled again. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 Minutes.

(Before I baked mine I brushed them with honey and sprinkled them with oats)

Delicious.

It's funny, because it is so crazy when everyone is here, and I

long for peace and quiet and my clean house,

but they leave and I miss them so much.

Love you to the moon and back y'all!

Kim

Things I'm Grateful for Today

Just a few things I am thankful for on this lovely Sunday:

The Sweet Gabe on his second birthday,
Who took blowing out his candles very seriously

A bonfire on a beautiful summer night,
with perfectly toasted marshmallows

Aaaaah! the beauty that is Minnesota,
and the abundance of water

My Sweetie and time together,
heck yeah!

The handsome Sammy and opportunities for growth.
Looks sharp, right!?!

and the best kids in the world and the good choices they have made, including
 wonderful son's in law (that I can't lay my hand on a picture of at this moment. Grr).

And there is no picture for this, but I am so grateful for free agency, for the ability to choose. I guard this right fiercely in my life and would do the same for you. What a gift.

Anyway,
life is mostly really good right now.
What are you thankful for?

Love, Kim

Hi Again Family! And 10 Minute Dill Pickles

Hello My Awesome Family!

I am excited to be here at our family blog that has been so neglected.

(And yes, Awesome Family should be capitalized)

I am pretty pumped that we will all be together soon

I found this fabulous recipe for practically instant pickles.

And I am trying them out as we speak.

They smell so good!

And the smell of dill is just plain amazing!

They are in the fridge just waiting for me to bite into them. 

I thought you might want to try them too. 

Go for it! 

It's super easy!

10 Minute (sort of ) Dill Pickles

½ cup vinegar (apple cider or white)

1 tablespoon salt

3 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon minced garlic

¼ teaspoon yellow mustard seeds

¼ teaspoon black peppercorns

Fresh dill to taste 

2 large cucumbers or 1. pounds small pickling cucumbers, sliced

In a quart Mason jar, place the vinegar, salt, sugar, garlic, mustard, pepper and dill. Add the cucumber slices and fill with warm water to within ½. inch of the mouth of the jar. Put on lid and shake. Place in the fridge for 24 hours, then enjoy. Refrigerated, these pickles keep for three weeks, but we guarantee they won't last that long.

Be happy

And eat pickles

And see you soon!

Love you,

Mom