Small Accomplishments

Big returns..... I went to the dentist again today.... She hoped to find the cavity that has been causing me grief. She not only found it but said that my gums are looking so much better since the scaling.... Most of the swelling is gone! Yeah, me!!! The tooth was filled without having to take the crown off and no root canal! Savings over $800! Little bit of discomfort but love having a dentist that listens. We even talked about instead of doing major work on me that we are just going to patch me up for now. Fill the broken teeth, cavities and do the cleanings. That way Grim and the monsters can get in to get all taken care of. The only reason I got to go first was because I was the one in the most pain. Grim has one cavity that is giving him problems and the monsters have no pain.....(so happy about that, or else they would have gone first).

Tonight was Band monsters last practice for this year. They go on Saturday to State finals. Unfortunately, this year we won't be able to attend. I'm really bummed out about it, but I can't be in two places at once. She is very happy that Marching season is done! For me it is bittersweet, I really do hate the time that she is gone from home but I know that it helps with her growth as a young woman. The effort and dedication that she puts in shows that type of person that she will grow up to be. I'm so proud my Monster!

Today was the day of little things. We got a picture hung, we took a storm window that the frame fell off to be fixed, we learned a couple more things for Grim to do while at home for therapy and I got to teach one of the therapists how to purl. Got Grim on the recumbent bicycle! I got to read half of the Christmas edition of Mary Jane..... Oh, I can't wait to try my hand at some of these ideas!

Yesterday, I cleaned the bathroom ( what a chore that is), I cleaned out the fridge ( I tossed out everything that was in there) (still needs to be washed out), I got on of the windows to close properly ( paint chips were causing it not to close for me to lock it, Got Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap and washed all the doors (don't want any unexpected guests), made a soft scrub type cleaner, went to the dairy (for milk and eggs) and laundry.

It's funny when I started writing this post I didn't think I had anything to say... LOL!

Gotta Run,

Yart

Eventful Friday

I should have posted this yesterday but time got away from me. Grim and I went grocery shopping and then to the farm market. I really wanted to get pears. The reason is because of a picture I saw here at Put up or shut up. But they didn't have any that looked good.

I did make The Vintage Sage's Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread. Yumm! I got 2 loaves one to eat and one to freeze for the holidays. I love those types of recipes. Nope sorry no pictures of this bread. But there have been a lot of ohhhhh's and awwwww's!

Went out last night... What started out as a great night turned shitty and then found its way around to great again. The only part I will share is Grim and I went to a new restaurant in town. They serve Italian cuisine. I got butternut squash ravioli with a cream sauce and then a pumpkin cannoli for dessert.... To die for!

Gotta Run,
Yart

4 Bread Recipes

Lemon Yogurt Bread

3 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 cup blanched almonds
3 eggs
1 cup oil
1 3/4 cup sugar
1 pint lemon yogurt
1 tbsp lemon extract

Sift flour, salt, soda and baking powder. Stir in nuts and set aside.
Beat eggs in a large bowl. Add oil and sugar. Cream well. Add lemon yogurt and extract. Combine wet and dry ingredients. Beat thoroughly.
Bake 1 hour in large bundt pan at 350 degrees. Test with toothpick. Cool on rack for 10 minutes before taking out of pan.

Easy Four-Grain Bread - makes 1 loaf

1 package active dry yeast
1 cup buttermilk, warmed to 110 F
2 tbsp honey
2 tbsp safflower oil
1/2 cup whole wheat bread flour
2 cups unbleached white flour
1/4 cup rye flour
1/2 cup masa harina
1/4 cup rolled oats
1/2 tsp salt

Pour yeast into a small bowl and stir in buttermilk, honey, and oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand until it swells and bubbles, about 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine flours, masa harina, oats, and salt. When yeast mixture is ready pour it into flour mixture and use a large rubber spatula to combine. When it gets too sticky, begin to use your hands to combine and gradually work the dough into a ball. Knead for 10 minutes.
Set dough in an oiled bowl and turn so its surface is lightly covered with oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow dough to rise until doubled in size, about 30-45 minutes.
Oil an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2-inch loaf pan.
Punch dough down with your fist, then form it into a loaf and set it in the loaf pan. Let dough rise again for about 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350 F.
Spray the top of dough with water, then bake for about 35 minutes. Remove bread from the pan and set it directly on the oven rack. Spray again with water and continue to bake until done, about another 5 minutes.

Sour Cream Banana Bread

1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup margarine
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup mashed bananas
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Grease loaf pans. Cream margarine, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Add dry ingredients, then bananas, nuts and sour cream. Mix well.
Bake at 350 deg. for 1 hour. Small loaves should be backed for 45 minutes.

Apple Banana Cinnamon Bread

1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 bananas, mashed
1 small apple, grated
Pinch of salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
2 cups flour
Topping:
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 tsp. cinnamon

Blend shortening, eggs, sugars and fruit together. Mix salt, baking powder, baking soda and flour together; add to fruit mixture. Bake 45 min. in greased and floured loaf pan.