In Memory of Linda Austin

This is one of those times in life where it is hard to say anything. I lost someone yesterday who was apart of my life for years, my best friend Stephanie's Mom. Its not hard to pay tribute to someone like her. She was kind to everyone and was so much fun to be around. There have been so many memories flood my mind this past 24 hours. Stephanie and I even talked about some of those memories last night laughing through the tears.
 I spent so much time with her when I was in junior and senior high. I had so many fun times with her and her whole family. I loved how she always told it to you straight she would give you her opinion in a nice loving way. I loved how she would make popcorn on the stove and not out of a bag. I loved how she would scratch my back and fix my hair. I loved how she fixed her wonderful cornbread and friend apples. I loved how she loved her husband, children and grandchildren... I am so blessed that she was apart of my life and that will stay with me forever
Even though the past few years I didn't see her much I new she loved me and was there for me. I know her husband Mickey her kids Stephanie and her brother Steven will miss her like crazy, but know she is in a better place. I hold on to the fact that I will see her again. Ecc 3:1

Look what I got in the mail

I won the free coffee Friday from Coffee Mate.  I had all of this in a box that came last night.  I was so excited, it was like Christmas. Now to plan a coffee party. :)

Homemade Granola

I love granola! I have tried several recipes over the years. I found one in my family feasts for 75.00 a week cookbook.  I changed a few things, but I wanted to share.
12 cups quick cooking oats
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
4 cups of goodies (Nuts, raisins, sunflower seeds  coconut,dried fruit
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup honey
Preheat oven to 325. Grease 3 large baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large bowl combine oats, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and any add ins. Mix well
Combine oil and honey in a 2 cup glass measuring cup. Microwave on High for 2 to 3 minutes until hot.  Pour over dry ingredients.
Spread over baking sheets; bake until light to medium brown 15-20 minutes. Its best to bake each pan individually on the center rack of the oven.
Let the granola cool. It will break up somewhat as you transfer it to a storage container. Store in airtight container for up to 4 weeks.

Pizza Crust Recipe

I had a request for the pizza crust recipe I make so I wanted to get it on here.  I don't have pictures, but I will post them next time I make it.

1 cup warm water
1 Tablespoon yeast
1 Tablespoon sugar
Let these ingredients set for about 5 minutes until the yeast activates. Then add about 4 1/2 cups of flour.  I add a cup at a time until I get a smooth consistancy.  Let rise for about 10 minutes and flatten out onto a pizza pan or stone. Add your toppings and bake at 450 about 12 minutes or until brown.

M & M's

Just wanted so share a tip with you.  Do you have leftover christmas M & M's?  If you do divide the colors into red and green and use one for Valentines day and the other for St. Patricks day.  I bought this huge bag on clearance at Sam's Club for 4.50. Now I have plenty for decorating.

No Knead bread

This is such a wonderful recipe that works everytime. I got it from the blog honey & jam . She has such wonderful recipes on her site. Be sure and check it out.





No Knead French Bread


From Artisian Bread in 5 Minutes a Day via The Ivory Hut




3 cups of lukewarm water


1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast


1 1/2 tablespoons coarse salt


6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour




Grab a very large mixing bowl, or a large container that you can cover. In it, mix the water, yeast, and salt. You don’t have to heat up the water to a precise optimal temperature for the yeast. I’ve even used just regular tap water, and it’s worked well for me. Just let that sit together for a while (you don’t have to wait for the yeast to dissolve completely), then dump the flour all at once and stir with a wooden spoon. You don’t need to knead this, and you’re not looking to make it come together into a dough ball. You just want everything mixed well, with no streaks of flour left, and you’re done.

Leave it in your container, covered (but not airtight, or it’ll pop), for a few hours. When it has risen and then deflated a bit, your dough is done. It’s ready to be used or stored in the refrigerator.

To bake the bread, just grab a chunk of dough, about the size of a grapefruit. Dust your hands with flour to help prevent sticking, and gently pull the sides of the dough toward the bottom, rotating the dough, until you get a roundish shape with a smooth surface. It should only take you about a minute or less to do this. The dough won’t be entirely in the bottom, where it may look bunched up, but don’t worry about it.


Put it on a cutting board that’s been dusted with cornmeal to prevent sticking, and let it rest for at least 40 minutes. No need to cover it. If the dough has been refrigerated, it helps to let it rest a little more, until it’s no longer chilled.

Twenty minutes before you are ready to bake, put a cast iron skillet (or a pizza stone) in the middle rack of your oven, and put a broiler pan (I used a cookie sheet) in the bottom rack. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees. Dust some flour on the top of your loaf, and slash the top, about 1/4-inch deep.
After twenty minutes of preheating, it’s time to bake. (You can put the bread in after 20 minutes, even if your oven hasn’t reached 450 degrees yet.) Slide the loaf onto the baking stone, and then quickly pour 1 cup of hot tap water into the broiler pan. Then quickly shut the oven door to keep the steam inside.


Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until you get a nice brown crust.

Apple Orchard

Today I visited and Apple orchard with my sweet Carson and the entire kindergarten.

We had such a beautiful day to go, the weather was perfect.

All of the kiddos left with a pumpkin and a bag of apples. So now I get to make all kind of apple creations.  There are apples cooking on my stove right now. YUM!