Snapshot #15: The Finished Top, for Baby Girl Quilt #1

June 16, 2010.  San Jose, California.  I finished it last night.  Not easy to get a good picture of it though.

Snapshot #14: Zazu Needs Attention

June 16, 2010.  San Jose, California.  

Snapshot #13: My First Ever "Mitered Corners"

June 16, 2010.  San Jose, California.  Thank You YouTube.

Recipe Diaries: Snapshot #12: Morning Tea

June 15, 2010.  San Jose, California.  Egyptian Licorice, by Yogi.

Recipe Diaries: Snapshot #11: Very Healthy, Yet Yummy, Homemade Soup

June 14, 2010.  San Jose, California.  Chicken broth, yellow onion, green onion, basil, cabbage, tomato, garlic pepper, poultry seasoning, and shrimp (or chicken or beef). 

Snapshot #10: Living with Infertility

June 14, 2010.  Santa Clara, California.  Last night Dave and I went to a small get-together with other summer interns from BYU, and their families.  It is always a rich experience when I am  priviledged enough to discover another person's story.  I met someone who will likely become a dear friend.  Turns out we have shared similiar experiences on our journey toward parenthood.  Empathy is a very powerful thing.

Recipe Diaries: Snapshot #9: I have finally mastered Mom's amazing chocolate chip cookies! (only took me 30 years)

June 13, 2010.  San Jose, California.  I had to make them, bake them, and take them to a party.  The true test of my committment to a diet.

Snapshot #8: According to Design

June 12, 2010.  San Jose, California.  It is a pleasant day when the sewing machine works according to design.

I've started to wonder about her name...

Snapshot #7 : Living Made Simple

June 12, 2010.  San Jose, California.  In an effort to make it through Grad School without taking out student loans, we moved to San Jose with only those items we could squeeze into our car...

...Zazu (the Cat) has already put several holes in the air mattress, leaving us sleeping on a pile of blankets.

Snapshot #6: Giving Dave a Foot Rub

June 10, 2010.  San Jose, California.  Dave had a most excellent day at work yesterday.  He is getting along very well with his colleagues.  We have by now learned that he is going to be working on the negotiation of leases, as well as several special projects that will tighten up the company's PO processes and save them hundreds of thousands.

I have never seen him happier at a job.

Snapshot #5: Designing a Baby Quilt

June 9, 2010.  San Jose, California.  Now don't get overly excited...these are for the Hope Chest

Snapshot #4: Dave's Hiking Sandals, Our Trail Map, and the Flower He Picked For Me Along the Trail

June 3, 2010.  San Ramon Campround, California.

Snapshot #3: Mission San Miguel Arcangel, Est. 1797; National Historic Landmark

June 2, 1010.  San Miguel, California.  We drove past it on our way to visit Hearst Castle.

Snapshot #2: An Artist's Rendering of Herself

June 1, 2010.  San Francisco.  My most favorite of all the paintings in the Academy of Art Spring Show.

Snapshot #1: Architectural Model from the Academy of Art Spring Show

I have decided that I am going to start taking snapshots of my daily life, to share on my blog.  My hope is that I will find this easier to do on a more consistent basis...as well as create unique vingettes to remember the journey by...so, here's to progress in the blog world.

June 1, 2010.  San Francisco.  I've been contemplating the idea of getting my Master's in Architecture.

He Works Hard For His Money

Today Dave starts his internship at Cisco.  He's not exactly sure what he's going to be doing...a rotational program in the Capitol group of Corporate Finance...but what is that exactly?  Hopefully we'll know soon...we've given up a lot in order to be here. 

Probably since the day we met, I've been giving Dave a hard time about still not knowing what he "wants to be when he grows up."  An unfair expectation from someone who takes for granted that she's always been very passionate about her career choice...as well as unable to bring in a salary quite as cushy as her husband's.  Nevertheless, since Dave has failed to produce an answer to satisfy my demand, I have made it sort of my personal qwest to help my husband find an occupation that he just can't live without.  But just the other day, I had an "Ah-Hah" moment when my own brother (who has also sacrificed much to go back to school) said, "I don't really care what I do, so long as I sort-of like it, and I make lots of money." 

Well Boys, "Touche, Touche." Today it's Hats Off to Dave, to my brother, and to all those who work extremely hard for their money.

California Dreaming

I am back in the Bay Area, this time with the love of my life (yes, that would be my husband Dave), a cat that plays fetch (called Zazu), a kitchenaid (color red), and a butter bell (my most favorite invention ever).

Our short trek (only 1day, instead of 5) began at midnight on Monday, May 24th.  We decided to drive all night, in order to make it to our new home in time to get a key--before the leasing office closed.  It was a beautiful drive; our timing was perfect...driving through the sage-brushed desert of Nevada during the darkest hours, with the sun rising over the desert mountain peaks as we made our way into Reno, and sunshine greeting us over the beautiful mountains of Tahoe that welcomed us back to California.  I had forgotten how beautiful are the rolling green hills surrounding San Francisco and the Bay Area.  God's creations are magnificent!

We arrived at our summer apartment close to 12:00 noon...very pleased with the apartment and the amenities (without prior knowledge of what we were getting ourselves into, having booked the lease via the internet).  Turns out, some of Man's creations are wonderful too.  I am confident that we will enjoy our summer here...I am looking forward to using the lap pool especially.  Here are some pics of the apartment complex, almost like a resort.

My Favorite Blogs to Follow

Although I am not the most consistent blogger myself (a probable New Year's Resolution), there are several blogs that I read more often than any others:

http://www.keepinghistory.blogspot.com/ is my older sister's blog.  She lives on the Isle of Anglesey, a part of Wales, England.  She has 3 adorable little boys and now a brand new little girl.  I have been over to visit her twice in the last 3 years, but that is not near frequent enough!  I love going online to read her narratives and see the photographs of my little nephews growing up.  She is an amazing mother and sister!

http://www.themcintyrefamily.blogspot.com/ is one of my mission companion's blogs.  We were a dynamite pair as missionaries, but since our days in El Salvador, we have never lived in the same state.  When she was in Utah, I was in San Francisco; when I was in New Jersey, she was in Houston; and now that I am in Utah, she will be heading to another state for her husband's medical residency.  I am thankful that I can still partake in some of her life's daily adventures through her blog.

http://www.amaviaggiare.blogspot.com/ is my old roomate's blog.  We lived in the same household on Treasure Island, San Francisco.  But she recently moved to Italy, where she is teaching English and discovering life abroad.  I love seeing the beautiful pictures of Florence and the surrounding area; traveling vicariously!  Thanks Liz!

http://www.progressivepioneer.com/ is the blog for an aquaintance/friend I met while living in San Francisco.  Several years ago she married, moved to the Salt Lake City area, and began living her dream.  Her blog tracks her life, her lifestyle, as well as many useful tips and fun giveaways for a healthy and self-sufficient lifestyle.  This week's giveaway is DoTerra's Dr. Mom Essential Oils Kit. The following link will take you into her world:

Recipe Diaries: 100% Whole Grain Bread Never Tasted SOOO Good

Although I have enjoyed baking bread for many years, I have always used a combination of Whole Grain Flour with White Flour in order to avoid a dense loaf.  My-Oh-My how the world has changed!  I was first introduced to Peter Reinhart's Whole Grain Breads about 3 months ago, from a friend's blog http://www.progressivepioneer.com/.  Almost immediately I checked out the book from the library, and I have been testing bread recipes ever since--totally addicted to the idea of Whole Grain loafs that act like white flour loafs.  And guess what...it really works! So I wanted to pass the good news along...

I highly recommend the book, because I won't be able to explain everything in perfect detail on this blog.  And you'll learn all kinds of interesting facts about bread science, the anatomy of a wheat kernel, wild yeast, and enzymes.  However, because so many of my friends and family have asked...How Did You Do It?  Here's a quick run down...from Wheat to Eat.

I grind my own wheat into flour using the Grain Mill (Stand Mixer) Attachment to the KitchenAid.  By far my favorite attachment (ok, my only attachment thus far).  Using the Grain Mill, I can either crack the wheat for a delicious breakfast cereal, or in this case, grind it into a fine powder perfect for bread making.

Reinhart's recipe does require that I plan ahead; that's the whole secret behind delayed fermentation.  The night before I want to consume a delicious loaf of whole grain bread, I create what's called a Soaker as well as a Biga.

Day 1:  The Soaker consists of whole wheat flour, salt, and my delicious homemade yogurt (milk or buttermilk may be used instead)

After mixing the soaker ingredients together, I cover loosely with plastic wrap and leave at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours.

Day 1: The Biga consists of whole wheat flour, instant yeast, and filtered water.  Also mixed, covered tightly with plastic wrap, and put into the refrigerator overnight.  Then, in the morning removed from the refrigerator approximately 2 hours before mixing the final dough, to take off the chill.

Day 2:   I use a metal pastry scraper to chop both the Soaker and the Biga into smaller pieces, ready for use in the final dough

Day 2: The Final Dough consists of the Soaker, the Biga, additional whole wheat flour, salt, instant yeast, honey or agave and unsalted butter, melted

After mixing...

Do a little more kneading...

Then place it in a bowl to rise.

Transfer to lightly floured work surface

Shape the loaf

Transfer to Pan

Let rise again

Finally Bake, using a Steam Pan (optional)

Let cool, before serving....if you can :)

100% Whole Grain Bread Never Tasted, Nor Looked, SOOO Good!

Recipe Diaries: Want to Salsa?

My first attempt at canning salsa, and I'm already addicted to the savory dish.  I will need to start stocking tortilla chips, something that has never been a regular on my grocery list before now. 

A novice salsa canner, I chose to start out small, canning only 8 pint jars.  I chose a recipe of Guatemalan descent--perfect to satiate my love for Latin American foods--a love developed while living 18 months in El Salvador at the turn of the millenium. 

The key to great salsa is Roma Tomatoes.  I bought my Roma's at one of the season's last Farmer's Markets at Thanksgiving Point.  Roma's are less watery than other varieties, and therefore yield a thicker, more savory sauce.

 

The Salsa Recipe is as follows:  10 Roma Tomatoes (whole), 5 Tomatillos (whole), 1-2 Serrano Peppers (whole but w/out stems), 1/2 bunch Cilantro, 3-4 Garlic Cloves, 1 Onion (chopped), Lawry's Seasong Salt, and lime juice

The Tomatillos are optional, they add a slighlty acidic flavor to the salsa.

Serrano Peppers are preferred over Anaheim Peppers because their flavor is stronger, mas fuerte!  No worries if you prefer mild salsa, the peppers are stewed whole, taken out before blending, then put back in, one at a time, until desired level of 'Hotness' is achieved.  Definately customizable.  But don't forget to stew them whole, first.

I placed all the ingredients into a large enamel pot, with 1/4 cup water.  Then Boiled for 45 minutes, stirring frequently.

Now that all the vegetables are mushy, I removed the serrano peppers, then blended the mixture into a fine puree of salsa.  (I didn't have a hand mixer I could put into the pot, so I used my Hamilton Beach Food Processor; I assume a blender could also be used....but gets very messy and tedious).  I added the serrano peppers, one-at-a-time, to taste.  Added Lawry's Seasoning Salt, to taste. And finally poured my salsa into pint jars.  Once in the jars, I added 3 Tablespoons of freshly-sqeezed lime juice to each jar.

The secret to juicing a lime is simple.  First, roll the lime around on the countertop with lots of pressure from your hand.  Second, cut the lime in half.  Third, nuke it in the microwave for 5-10 seconds, or until the juice is easily squeezed out.

I capped my jars w/lids and rings, immersed  them into the water bath, and boiled for an additional 20 minutes. (the water should be only lukewarm when the jars are immersed, so as not to crack the glass....and don't start timing the 20 minutes until after the water starts to boil)

 

And....voila!  Delicious, Savory, Healthy, Latin-American Salsa for my pantry.