Really at Wal-Mart?

On Monday I spent the day in Franklin, Indiana with a good friend of mine. We had a wonderful time hanging out with each other. After we were done with what we went there to do, we decided to go to Wal-Mart. I would just like to say that I hate Wal-Mart. It is really all there is in my small town, and they know it so prices are higher and they do not treat the customer with and respect at all (even though we are who pays their bills). Anyways, I may have found a new appreciation for Wally World. While there I just "had" to go to the baking supplies and day dream, and you'll never guess what I found......WHEAT BERRIES!! I was very surprised it made me think that maybe it's just my Wal-Mart that stinks so bad.

This wonderful find has made me realize how much I have changed in the past few years. I no longer go straight to shoes or purses (I do still go right to the books and crafts) I now go to the baking aisle. I don't get excited about a pair of heals on sale or a new "cool" purse. Instead, I almost have a heart attack over wheat berries. I was so excited I could hardly breath. I called DH out of breath and so excited I could hardly ask if it was ok to buy them. (I didn't need to ask permission, but I just wanted him to be ok with this new adventure) He, of course, said it was ok, and I spent $13.98 on a 25lb bag. I have no idea if that is a good deal or not, but it was the only time I have seen them without going to the mill.

I came home and started looking for a way to grind these bad boys up and no such luck....after moving I seem to be missing one piece of every small kitchen appliance I own. Not to be discouraged I head to my moms. Anything can be accomplished at mom's house. First I tried the food processor, I think it would have worked, but I don't have that kind of time. Next was a coffee grinder, it worked well, but was way too small. Finally I pulled out the blender. It worked great!!! It is a little bit course, but I still made my own flour darn it!!  My moms is very sophisticated and had lots of fancy buttons that mine does not have, so I'll have to experiment when I find the pieces to mine.

Of course I HAD to make something with my freshly ground flour, so my mother and I had pizza. I used my normal recipe, but this time I put my wheat in place of just over 1/2 of the flour in the recipe. IT WAS WONDERFUL!!! The texture was perfect, it was nice and moist fluffy and filling. I ate 2 pieces and I was very very full. It was strange, I was super full, but I never got to the miserable full that I normally get.

The next day I had my friend and her children come over for dinner with my babies A and B and two of my step kids R and Z. Since she was the one with me when I made my find I had to make her something with it. I made dinner rolls and once again used whole wheat in place of about 1/2 of the flour. They were really good. I had never made dinner rolls before and I must say that my first try was a success. It is not very often that I get something right on the first try so I am very proud of myself.  My friend loved them and so did the kids. It made me so happy that something I put so much effort in came out so good. (If you read about my bread fiasco you should understand) I lost my charger for my camera so I couldn't take pics, sorry....I'll have to take some as soon as I find it.

Well I guess I have rambled enough for today, I'll let everyone get back to their lives again.

Baking.....A LOT!

Sorry I have been MIA for a few days. I have been busy baking and doing school work. I am going in school hoping to get in the nursing program. I have always wanted to be a nurse. It just seems to be my calling. I love to take care of people and pray that I can do well enough in school to make it. The nursing programs at my school of choice is very competitive. It seems like everyone in my generation wants to be a nurse. Hopefully I am one of the lucky few that make it into the program.

Now to let everyone know what I have been up to.

Well, I have been taking care of baby A and Baby B. They have both been sick. I hate not being able to fix them! Baby B would just lay her head down on my chest and whimper. Now they are both back to their mischievous-selves. However, now that they are back 100%  My darling hubby (DH) is sick. It turns out her has bronchitis and pleurisy. I figured the had bronchitis. He gets it every year, but the pleurisy was a surprise. He is now done with his meds, but is still in a lot of pain. Poor guy! He is pumping himself with pain killers to try to get through his nights at work, and praying he doesn't have to work over. Hopefully he will be better soon,.

I have been great though (I got my flu shot!!).

DH and I went to Sams Club a few weeks ago and bought me some baking supplies. When making the Artisan Bread I didn't have any yeast. I do however have wonderful neighbors do have yeast lol. I NOW HAVE YEAST! A pound of yeast to be more accurate. I also have 25 lbs of sugar and of flour. I have been putting it to good use too.

I made some cinnamon rolls the other day. They were wonderful. I used half AP flour and half whole wheat flour. They turned out great and I will definitely be making them again, very soon. you can find them here.

I also made some bread. I am apparently having issues with my bread baking. I have made bread before. This is not my first rodeo. Well I made this recipe 3 times and not once did it turn out right. The first time it rose in the bowl but wouldn't rise int he pan. Very frustrating! I baked it anyways hoping it would rise a little in the oven, but no such luck. I ended up with the hard little brick of what I would be ashamed to call bread. The second time I forgot the oil. I wish I could blame this on someone else, but no, the twins were napping so this one was all me. The got be super frustrated so i tossed it and started fresh. The last time it all went great! I didn't forget anything, it rose both times wonderfully. I baked it, it smelled great! I went to the oven to get it out and the darn thing fell!!!!!! GRRRRR!!!!!!!!! Not happy! I kinda wanted to cry. I called my mommy almost in tears and she said i let it rise too long. Ok...I can fix that! Next time keep a closer eye and try not to get distracted.

I also made an Amish Friendship bread starter. I am very excited about this! I haven't had it in forever. I can't wait until my 10 days are up so I can make it!!!

And lastly to prove to myself and DH that I can bake I made pizza. I had never made pizza crust before so I was really taking a chance here. but it was great!!!I got 6 thumbs up!! (DH, Baby A, and I, Baby B was sleeping) I took this recipe and cut in half. It was a little thicker than I liked so next time I'll make bread sticks out of it too. I got it here

2 Tbls yeast
2 1/4 C warm water
3/4 tsp salt
6 1/2 C flour
Knead all these together until a soft elastic dough forms.
Let rise 30 minutes
Divide into 3 or 4 parts.
Roll and press out onto 3 or 4 greased cookie sheets or pizza pans
Top with sauce, toppings, and cheese
Bake at 450 for about 10 minutes

Thanks for reading!!
Sweet Mama