Photo Challenge, Day 1: Self Portrait

Here I am, unedited:

What is that? I look like cow manure, you say?

Yeah, well, I felt even worse. I'm bouncing back.

I even swept my kitchen floor today and took something out of the freezer to thaw for supper.

Figured you can only order pizza so many times.

It's days like this where I dream of having my mom within driving distance, to help out.

As zztop and I were both moaning, we reminisced about the time we were both sick with a stomach bug (worst one I can remember having to date) and my mom came and picked up Logan (our only child at the time) without us asking.

She's good like that. And you know what? Logan never got the bug.

Thank you, Mom. In case I never said it.

So there you have it. Day 1. Self portrait. Join the challenge!

(While it wasn't an opportune time, I didn't want to miss out on the fun and a chance to experiment with my camera.)

In My Shoes

It figures.

Apparently, we are getting hit with a little stomach bug every seven days.

The day of arrival: Sundays. One person at a time.

At this rate, I hope that we can all make it to church on Easter Sunday.

This snowfall was a gift for our family.

It was exactly six weeks after Logan's surgery.

That means that for the first time since we have lived in Michigan,

Logan's winter activities are unrestricted.

That's right. He was able to enjoy the snow for the first time.

Like, really enjoy it.

I was watching him bouncing down the hill on his sled as I did dishes.

Thankful that I didn't have to rein in his joy.

Not even thirty seconds later, he came in the house madder than a hornet.

Apparently, the dog pooed in the sled

and he didn't notice until after he sat in it.

Poor guy. Can't catch a break.

We got it cleaned up

and he was back outside less than two hours later.

Poo or not, we're happy that winter worked in our favor this year.

God is good.

I think we made it through. I think. I hope.

Rebel Without a Cause

This place is about to get a lot more interesting.

Well. I hope.

Somebody got a Rebel.

Somebody is already looking into "How to use this thing" classes.

From now on, I will illustrate my life a little more for you.

And hopefully as time goes on, the pictures will improve.

Oh! The kids started a new activity.

Another kodak moment, most likely.

Adios!

there was an oldish woman

who lived in a shoe

she had so many children

she didn't know what to do

she gave them some broth

with a chunk of homemade bread

and watched as they tried to swallow

and their faces turned red

it was then she enlisted

her friends through her blog

to learn to make bread

that doesn't resemble a log

the tips, they rolled in

about kneading, flour and yeast

it definitely helped her

to say the least

her dough it arose

like never before

she could hardly believe it

and almost fell to the floor

then the timer, it beeped

between her squats and her lunges

within two minutes,

down her throat a roll plunges

the next time you see her

she'll be wider it's true

it's all the fault of

none other than YOU

I know you thinking I'm being facetious, but it's true. I did quit my workout halfway through, to sink my teeth into at least one roll. I don't remember the exact amount. three. heh. It was worth it. Thanks for all of your tips. Because of you, I've been baking things that rise every day that I get a chance. My kids are loving it, my jeans are not. My favorite tips? Sugar in with the yeast, kneading to build gluten, and the fact that the dough changes as it's kneaded (you need less flour than you think). Oh, and if the proofed yeast is questionable, I start over. I also learned (on my own) that it's harder to activate yeast in milk, so I use half water/half milk and dissolve it in the water first. VOILA!

So, THANK YOU!! I (knock on wood) haven't goofed once since your tips flooded my brain. You should come to visit and I'll make you something. (NOTE: I didn't say specifically what I'd make. It might just be kool-aid. Keeping my options open.)

I actually do love my family, I do.

However, let's be honest, us mom's can relate to this first one and the second is just plain funny. I don't care who you are. Not true, but funny.

UUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!

I really need to know the secret of making bread. Let me in on it, please.

If you read my first bread post, sorry for my bread-failure rant. I've cooled it a bit. And not by throwing my pan at the window and breaking it. Although, it did cross my mind. In a nutshell, I really have trouble getting the yeast to activate. When I actually can conquer that part, I often times can't get it to rise a second time. A-nnoy-ing. It's my goal to make a fabulous loaf of bread. Or, as I tried today, a fabulous batch of buns. (The bread variety, thankyouverymuch.) I even bought my yeast in bulk this time with that goal in mind. There is a chance that I came thisclose to throwing it out today. We both know that I don't actually want to do that. I just need to know the secret or have somebody teach me who knows a thing or two about it. Anybody...?