You Fail Some, You Win Some

I have made a batch of bread almost every other day since July of 2008. Notwithstanding that, I had never made a decent loaf of 100% whole wheat bread. I grind my own wheat before each batch- the flour starts losing vitamins about 18 hours after you grind it- you can keep it fresher in the freezer, but I think it's easier to grind a few cups when I need it. Also, if I understand correctly, what is sold as "whole wheat flour" at the store isn't actually whole at all- the oily parts of the wheat kernal are removed, so the flour won't go rancid on the store shelf. So if you want all the benefits of whole grains, mill your own!

I always grind 2 cups of wheat (about 4 or 5 cups of flour) and make up the rest of the batch with white flour (normally about 1 1/2 cups.) So it's PRETTY healthy...but it would be nice to be able to make a decent all-wheat loaf!

See this? This is what happens when I tried (yes, it's in my kitchen compost bin.) Loaves the size of bricks, too dense to cook properly, almost soggy in the middle, definite tang (not in a good way). The whole wheat flour was just too course- the jagged edges constantly cut the gluten strands before they could become nice and long. White flour has most everything taken out, so it doesn't have bran- makes a nice smooth dough.

But hey! On a whim I tried a new batch with all wheat and 2 Tablespoons of vital wheat gluten flour I had in the cupboard. I couldn't believe the difference it made! Perfectly-shaped loaves, nice and springy texture, beautiful dough... if you've ever wanted to make wheat bread, I definitely recommend adding some gluten flour!

(The jam is coming in another post- easiest jam ever!)

Ribbon Headbands

I love simple little projects, and this is one of the quickest ever! These little ribbon headbands are so much fun to make- just a few inches of ribbon, heat-sealed at the ends, and a few inches of black 1/4 inch elastic (the bow is a clip) and you're good to go!

Our craft store always has a bin of $1 ribbons, and this is a great way to use up odds and ends you just couldn't bear to part with (I'm not the only one hanging on to 8 inches of ribbon, am I??)

This could also be a good way to get your girls excited about the fabric store- I know Ernie would love picking out a pile of "favorites" to make into headbands, and since each headband only takes a few inches of ribbon, they're inexpensive too!

Here's the question, though...would YOU wear one?  Or would you leave these to the kids?  (Because I'm totally going to make a pile for myself!)

11:54

Two blog posts in one day? Well, I couldn't let this night go by without telling you...

for the first time in my life, I have run a mile. No stopping. No walking. Parts were slower, and I had to sprint from the corner to the front door to beat that 12 minute time, but it was a "good" mile- you know sometimes the running just doesn't come together, and sometimes it does? Tonight, it did. And oh, I am so happy!

Wonder Daddy wants to know if I want to find a "Turkey Trot" 5k to run this year...and you know what? I think I will!

Beautiful Life: A Soft Place to Land

Welcome to all our Beautiful Life friends! I'm happy to be participating today, and I'm glad you're here!

I've caught the Fall Nesting Bug, and I couldn't be happier! It's been such a beautiful summer, full of sunshine, family, gardening, cooking...but now that the weather is cooler, my thoughts are turning indoors. Time for cozy couches, giant sweaters, and yummy colors.

Our living room needed a little something, so Wonder Daddy picked out this gorgeous fabric- no, really...he did. He's in charge of most of our decorating!

This marvelous post reminded me just how much I love making pillow covers in that pattern- so quick and easy!

Comfy, too.

Do You Like Giveaways?

Late one evening a few weeks ago, as I was flipping through a few blog posts in my reader, I realized how MANY giveaways there are out there.  And of those MANY giveaways, so many of them ask you to blog about them to be eligible to win...and I really, REALLY, didn't want to do that to you guys.

Didn't want to tell you every time I entered my name in a hat to win Peanut Butter.

Or a Dress.

Or a BOATLOAD of triathlon gear.  (OK, not gonna lie- that was totally Wonder Daddy's deal, not mine.)

But....I kind of wanted to enter.  And maybe there are a few people out there who would like to hear about my favorite freebies out there?

So, if you like a good giveaway, head on over to the newest member of our Blog Squad, I Heart A Giveaway!

New 'Do

After a lot of hand-wringing and mirror-staring, I handed Aunt LoLo the scissors at our recent family reunion, while Aunt Bert stood by to offer advice.

Two weeks later, I took the scissors in my own hands and trimmed the bangs from bottom of the nose (couldn't bring myself to use enough "product" to keep them out of my face!), to what you see here.

 I'm still trying to decide if I can show my face in public.  It hasn't helped that when my piano students came back, each of those 13 sweethearts walked in the door and stared at my head.  Mouths agape.

Oh it was quick, and (sometimes) subtle...but it was there.

I was hoping for Zooey...but I'm afraid I got mullet.  As a girl who has NO idea what to do with hair, any hints?  Should I keep cutting?  Try a different way of wearing it?

Perhaps I should have saved my "something's got to change or I'm going to bust!" energy for something a little more like...oh, painting a wall?  :)

Repurpose: Grandma's Clip-On Earrings

Over the years I've collected a lot of Grandma's jewelry. I loved knowing it was hers, and daydreaming about where she might have worn the pieces. Of course, this being 20-40 years later, and me being a somewhat timid dresser, many of the pieces have simply sat in the jewelry box.

I've had this idea for a while- Grandma had FANTASTIC clip on earrings. Great big plastic and metal and rhinestone affairs. I wore a few pairs for costumes and dress up and such, but wished there were a way to incorporate them into something...real. Something I could wear around town.

So...hey! Clip 'em on my nice and plain flats, and away we go. I'm kind of giddy with the possibilities now.