In the Process

  After living in our little near lake cottage for about 15 years we are moving. Not very far, in the same school district and closer to town.  Yet, this is all very hard for me, I am not good at change, and all the commotion and overwhelming work has me a bit frazzled.  The house has much more room, a beautiful view and is just what we needed, but between the boys stays, filling the Etsy shop, getting orders ready and shipped I haven't had a lot of time. What I really need is an afternoon to sit and catch up with my friend Jean who own the Teapot Quilt Cottage and Garden Center in Montello. She has a knack for getting all the craziness calmed down and things put in perspective.   DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF. 
   Now with all this going on in my life I feel the need to make bread...I better do it today because the weatherman has a brutal next seven days mapped out for us.  I like 70's during the day and 50's at night. If I could find such a place year round I would give a kidney to move there. Now with much of the kitchen packed, any serious baking will be a project so I found this recipe

No Knead Bread Recipe


Servings: One 1-pound loaf Prep Time: Cook Time:

No Knead Bread Recipe is adapted from Mark Bittman of NY Times who got it from Sullivan Street Bakery. When the recipe first came out, it was the blogging community who took the bread to new heights, especially Rose Levy Beranbaum, author of The Bread Bible. I followed Rose's experiments through the weeks and learned from her recipe adjustments and the why's of how this bread works.
Ingredients:

3 cups bread flour (I like Harvest King bread flour)

1/4 teaspoon instant yeast

1 teaspoon fine table salt (or 3/4 tablespoon of kosher salt)

1 1/2 cups warm water
Covered pot (five-quart or larger cast iron, Pyrex, ceramic, enamel...something that can go into a 450F oven.)
Directions:

1. Mix dough: The night before, combine all ingredients in a big bowl with a wooden spoon until the dough just comes together. It will be a shaggy, doughy mess. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit 12-20 hours on countertop.
2. Shape & preheat: The dough will now be wet, sticky and bubbly. With a wet spatula, dump the dough on a floured surface. Fold ends of dough over a few times with the spatula and nudge it into a ball shape. You can use your hands if you like, just keep your hands wet so that the dough does not stick. Generously dust a cotton towel (not terrycloth) with flour. Set dough seam side down on top of towel. Fold towel over the dough. Let it nap for 2 hours. When you've got about a half hour left, slip your covered pot into the oven and preheat to 450F.
3. Bake: Your dough should have doubled in size. Remove pot from oven. Holding towel, turn over and dump wobbly dough into pot, using your hands to get the dough off the towel. Doesn't matter which way it lands. Shake to even dough out. Cover. Bake 30 minutes. Uncover, bake another 15-20 minutes or until the crust is beautifully golden and middle of loaf is 210F. Remove and let cool on wired rack. If not eating right away, you can re-crisp crust in 350F oven for 10 minutes.
http://steamykitchen.com/168-no-knead-bread-revisited.html  check out this site for great directions along with photos as well as more recipes.

   Before I can get to the bread though I need to pacge two hats to go to the post office. One skunk and a new hat ...the rhino, I must say he is adorable.

This hat was a suggestion for a customer on Etsy, I love when they ask for new hats, it keeps things fun!

Boxes to pack, directions to give.....I like to position of supervisor, I hate packing LOL

https://www.facebook.com/GrammasGifts  LIKE us on facebook and see new items as they are ready for the shop!

Magic Bean Stalk

This is exactly what the little guys are wishing for!  Although JJ does not want to climb up and meet the giant.  He think Carsen should!  Send up the little brother! LOL

    Last year as a Grandma and me project, we invited my daughter, Patrice  ( who is the grandma) over for lunch and to help build a green bean teepee in the yard.  She has become quite a gardener and we thought she would be the perfect helper to get this project done.  JJ and her had a wonderful time and all summer it was covered with morning glories and green beans.  The scarlet runner beans and some purple beans were a big favorite.  He could be found playing in the yard munching green beans, happy as could be.

This year, the weather has been a factor here in Wisconsin , so we got a late start but, the green beans are planted and the weeds and JJ are growing like magic.  I only hope the beans do as well!

Now, what to do with beans, and kids. Here is a good baked bean recipe. I also use the grape jelly in a meatball sauce around the holidays. It is a big family favorite!

                              Kids' Baked Beans Recipe

   Grape jelly is the “secret ingredient” that sweetens these beans!
They’re wonderful alongside burgers or other sandwiches and sure to be a hit at parties and family reunions, too.
Jessie Sarrazin of Livingston, Montana sent the recipe.
This recipe is:
Quick

6 ServingsPrep/Total Time: 20 min.5 15 20 Ingredients
2 cans (16 ounces each) baked beans
3/4 cup grape jelly
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons prepared mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Directions
In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes or until thickened. Yield: 6 servings.
Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (2/3 cup) equals 189 calories, 1 g fat (trace saturated fat), 5 mg cholesterol, 379 mg sodium, 43 g carbohydrate, 5 g fiber, 4 g protein.
Kids' Baked Beans published in Simple & Delicious May/June 2007, p11

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Kids--Baked-Beans

http://www.bhg.com/gardening/plans/vegetable/easy-childrens-vegetable-garden-plan/
Enjoy growing healthy produce while spending time with little gardeners with this easy garden plan.

Many joys and lessons can be found in this easy vegetable garden. Once planted, it takes only a few hours a week to keep it looking its best. Site this garden in full sun and well-drained soil for best harvests. Spread mulch over the soil to help decrease weeds and disease.
Garden size: 6x6 feet
Our free Planting Guide for this garden includes a larger version
check out this page for more great idea and get your fingers dirty with the little ones. As they sprout up and grow so will a patch of home grown veggies the whole family can enjoy! Frugal, fun and family!
Now I am off to finish some hats to list in my Etsy shop and find a new blanket pattern to crochet. Have a great day !

Something to go with this light sage set, something girly I am thinking and different. I will keep you posted on the hunt!

The Heat is On

Well, we are set for another couple really hot days, and what is on my agenda?     Christmas in July !  Yes, I said the dreaded word Christmas already, but as everyone knows people start their shopping early , so for me that means to buckle down and get the Etsy shop filled and rearranged for the season with some slaes and new items. I will also be taking part in the Etsy Kids promotion .

http://etsykids.com

The promotion will take place the last two weeks in July and is a great chance to find lots of great items from crafters around the country or even  SHOP LOCAL for your holiday gifts. I will update more as I get closer to being done.   I was searching through Etsy this morning and came across this great shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/FairyGodmother4Hire?ref=pr_shop  and wishing I had a little girl for the Tinkerbell skirt. http://www.etsy.com/listing/67347205/tinkerbelles-party-skirt-and-crown  How fun, our two little guys here are not into capes and such but what a great idea. They could play year round and use them for Halloween and they are just so cute. I am rambling as my mind is racing trying to figure out someone I could get one for. This shop is also a member of Etsy Kids so please take some time a stay cool and visit the shops on Etsy.   From the comfort of your chair, no gas usage, a cool glass of iced tea and shopping at your finger tips..  Have a great Day, I am off to finish some projects HOHOHO.