Hi everyone. It is cold and starting to snow here in SE Ohio. windchills on the single digits tonight. Not too much going on here really.

I did make a lot of new curtains recently. I made 2 sets for my bedroom, one set for the French doors on the Family Room, and some for the doorway between the living room and dining room. I often close these at night to keep the heat towards the back of the house. when K-mart recently had twin size sheets on sale for $2.50 I bought them to make the curtains with. This is a cheap way to get a lot of fabic for making these types of items. I also like them for the backs of quilts.

The jerky I made using the borrowed food dryer and jerky press was awesome. I didn't use the spice packets that came with it,I made up my own. I even carefully measured the ingredients so I could add, subtract or duplicate the result. I know you all realize that is different for me!

The quest for bread continues. I have so many bread recipes and I am experimenting. Last night I tried one that used oats and wheat germ, and you leave it to rise all night. It was pretty good, but not quite what I want yet. I will keep working my way through my stack of recipes.

For supper tonight we had lasagna, at Megan's request. She rarely asks for anything, so I was happy to make it for her.

Tomorrow is pre-school. I am letting them paint anything they want (except the walls) They LOVE to paint.

Tonight I am tired, we were up late last night replacing our hot water heater (details in the dishwashing thread, sorry Kelly!!!! but it seemed relevent at the time!) So I am going to go to bed soon.

Kadia was babysitting earlier, and was so enamored of their big snack bowl, filled with all kinds of Little Debbie cakes! Which I am too cheap/mean to buy! Poor kids are so deprived. I did however, make them milk-shakes tonight in my blender. I have never had a blender and I am loving it. Neatest "gadget" I have ever owned.

Well I had better close. I can barely keep my eyes open!

-- Melissa (me@home.net), January 15, 2002

Answers

Melissa, Use that new blender for orange julius, too!!!

-- DW (djwallace@sotc.net), January 15, 2002.

Blenders in Brazil are considered standard kitchen equipment. Everybody practically has one.

-- Randal at home in Brazil (randal@onebox.com), January 16, 2002.

Melissa, what are you looking for in bread, that you have not found? Maybe someone could help you with a recipe they use.

-- Marci (Marci@amazingrazefarm.com), January 16, 2002.

I don't really know Marci! I guess I will know when I taste it!!!

I seem to have trouble getting consistent rising results. The bread turns out tasty, but flat, or tastes bland, or too yeasty tasting.

I am trying to stay away from white flour, and have been experimenting with oats, soy flour, whole wheat etc...

It is fun to experiment though. We do eat all of the results, so all is not wasted, but I am looking for the perfect blend of softness, texture, consistent rising, healthful, tasty, etc... I will maybe start a thread for recipes, and try some more!

Thanks so much for asking!!

-- Melissa (me@home.net), January 16, 2002.