Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Zucchini Bread Recipe & my new dress project



I pulled out my new wheat grinder the other day and I know most will wonder how that could be exciting but for me it is!! I went to buy yeast at the baking supply store and ended up walking out with a wheat grinder and a Bosch. So, I have some serious baking to do to justify myself. I made zucchini bread and I love this recipe so I thought I would share. I make it in mini loaves, muffins, and it freezes well. It uses wheat flour but is still light. I have made this bread many times and while baking this last time I had my first oven fire. Just a wee one. My husband was home and saved the day and the bread was ok to.
I also posted a photo of my new sewing challenge. I am attempting to make this fun dress, which has a zipper, gathers, etc. So far, I am at the zipper. I went to a sewing class last night and the lady said that the zippers on the patterns tend to look Wal-Mart and to use the single side instructions on the package. Whatever, if I follow the pattern, I'm Wal-Mart and if I use the zipper instructions I'm going to jack it up. I need to find a tutorial. I am also going to make the plunge and put some shoes on Etsy. I'll keep ya posted. P.S. If you try the bread let me know what you think.

Zucchini Bread

2 loaves

3 eggs

1 c. vegetable oil

1 ½ c. brown sugar

2 c. grated zucchini

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 c. all purpose flour

1 c. Whole wheat flour

¼ tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

3 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 c. raisins (optional)

1 c. chopped walnuts (optional)

¼ c. wheat germ

In a large bowl, combine eggs, oil, sugar, zucchini, and vanilla. Mix well.

Add flours, baking powder, soda, salt, wheat germ, and cinnamon; stir to combine.

Stir in raisins and nuts if desired. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean.

P.S. I have not made it with the raisins or walnuts and it turns out great. This bread freezes well and works as mini loaves just reduce the time. Enjoy!

Friday, April 18, 2008

A Little Annoyed & A Slightly Darker Shade Of Green


The other day my husband googled my blog and instead of my blog coming up independently, it came up attached to a website that you can blog hop on etc. This would not usually annoy me. The fact that you rate the blogs by beer bottles does. So if you google my blog and you see it attached to this site, be sure and give me five bottles J/K, it's not by my choice. I am trying to get my blog removed.
I can't really say I am even a slightly darker shade of green, but I am trying to do my part. My friend Sharon( who is a great seamstress -she can chat and sew at the same time) & I decided to sew up some bags to take to the grocery store etc. Making the bags has been the easy part, remembering to bring them to the store has been a challenge.
B. Happy Bags ( way cute bags , to cute for me to drop onions in) had some interesting info:
Worldwide, hundreds of billions of plastic bags are consumed each year. Less than 3% are recycled; the rest are clogging landfills, blowing down our streets and threatening wildlife. Because of their negative environmental impact, from manufacturing to disposal, many countries are banning or taxing plastic bag use (as much as 20 cents per bag!). As petroleum based products, the cost of plastic bags will continue to rise, being passed on to consumers. As tax payers, we are also bearing the staggering costs of clean up and disposal, estimated at 5.2 cents per bag.
So, grab a reusable bag and try not to forget it in the car!

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Basement Band



I'm not big into gaming but we recently picked up RockBand.. . and it's not often you get to be a hot rocker and go on tour with your husband and friends. We had some friends over the other night rockin' out in our basement. Good Times! (As long as I am not on guitar).

Oh, I also sold my first pairs of shoes. Someone's baby is about to have some hip toes.

Friday, April 4, 2008

Baby Shoes






Finally I am posting some of the baby shoes I have sewn. I have a few in the works besides the ones posted so I will be updating as I finish them. This includes prints for boys. All the styles fit 0-6 months and would make a cute baby shower or grand baby gift. If you would like to order a pair email me and I will give details. These have been alot of fun! I just wish I would of had these when my kids were babies! Enjoy! lifesdelish@gmail.com

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Pumkin Pancakes & Dragon Spit


It's April Fools Day and my parents anniversary. I had to post the only photo that survived their photographers screw up. All the other slides did not turn out which is a bummer since you see the bottom half of my moms dress (which looked like a great little 60's dress) or part of a face. At least we have this one and so glad! Happy Anniversary!

I'm also posting a recipe for pumpkin pancakes. Most of us think pumpkin and fall etc. but these are good and we eat them year 'round. In fact, I have a friend who loves these,does not want the recipe but will drive over and pick up the batter when I am willing to make it for her. I also included the recipe for syrup. We had this syrup at my sister-in-laws and loved it. She gave me permission to post it. This syrup is rich you don't even need to butter your pancakes and it's aka Dragon Spit (it froths up)! Enjoy!

PUMPKIN PANCAKES

2 cups flour
3 Tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups milk (add a little more if you like your batter on the thinner side)
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 egg
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 Tbsp. vinegar

In a separate bowl, mix the milk, pumpkin,egg, oil and vinegar. Combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice and salt, stir into the pumpkin mixture just enough to combine.
Heat a lightly oiled griddle or pan over medium high. Pour batter on the griddle and brown on both sides.


SYRUP AKA DRAGON SPIT

In a large pot (it foams) :
Melt 1 cube of butter, add 3/4 cup sugar, and 1/2 cup of buttermilk. Bring to a boil, then add 1 tsp vanilla and 1 tsp baking soda