Rolling in the Dough

I always knew that someday I would teach my kids how to make bread.  All children deserve the right to have the aroma that only bread baking in the oven can bring burned into their psyche.  After church on Sunday I wanted to make rolls for our Mothers Day dinner, and then immediately thought, "Marie, get Emry in here, she can do this".

I gave her the recipe and just stepped back while I walked her through each step.  We talked about water temperature, proofing, what dough should feel like,  how to love it (not really, didn't want to scare her, her first time out) rising time and finally how to shape those babies.

They turned out perfect.

Kind of like the girl herself.

The Weekend

Busy!  We did not stop this weekend.  If you want to take a nap, don't have kids, they expect too much. Things like a snack after school, and since they love those soft mall pretzels I celebrated the end of the week with a favorite treat.  Yes that is a full cookie sheet, those pretzels are Huge!

The main reason I make yummy homemade baked goods is because I want the kids to have these moments burned into their memory.  I want them to tell their kids (and friends, acquaintances, anyone who will listen) "my mom was the best, she always made the yummiest stuff when I was a kid, when I came home there were cinnamon rolls or cookies or homemade bread.  EVERYDAY!!.....and then we went and played in the backyard with our unicorns and ponies".  Of course I don't bake everyday, but we all know how memories go, and whatever my motives, homemade stuff gets made.

1. Saw a rainbow during a run.
2. Played Cranium with Ethan.
3. Took my kids, Jeannette's kids and a friend to Jamba Juice.
4.  My brother Adam's dog, they came for a short visit.

5.  Took the kids to a pet store. That bird was 2 grand.  Of course my kids begged for it but it was so loud and annoying I told them they couldn't pay me 2 grand to take it.
6.  Finished this book with the kids.
7. Made a Mississippi Mud Cake. RICH!!!
8. Made their Christmas list for the next 10 years at this toy store at the mall.

Let me wax poetic about this book.  A few years ago I came across a Gigantic book at the library.  It was the biggest book I had ever seen in the kids section and the cover as well as the drawing on the back immediately sucked me in.  I took it home and read all 550 pages to the kids in 1 rainy day all curled up on the couch.

About half the book was words, and half the book was pictures, both were mesmerizing.  It was wonderfully written and I can't say enough how much I loved the originality of the book.  The title of the book was 'The Adventures of Hugo Cabret'.  About a year later I heard they were making a movie of the book titled 'HUGO'.  Of course being in love with the book we had to see the movie.  It was spectacular.  Reading the book first and then seeing it come to life so fantastically on the screen was wonderful.

When I saw this book 'WonderStruck' by the same author, Brian Selznick, at Costco I was so tempted to buy it, but it kind of goes against my nature to pay full price for books.  So seeing it at the library last week I ripped it off the shelf before anyone else could.  Not that anyone else wanted it, but better safe than sorry.

In the same vein as 'The adventures of Hugo Cabret' there is both writing and beautiful drawings, twists and mystery, suspense and intrigue.  I love Brian Selznick's mind.  From his books it is apparent he has a fascination with the out of the ordinary and is a genius storyteller.

Let me also expound on the cake.  I have lovely visions of baking with the children, but what started out innocently enough with it being Ethan's turn to 'help' turned into Lila pouting on the sofa with me being the nurturing mother I am telling her "Lila, I know your pouting you need to get over it it's Ethan's turn",  I am super sweet like that. Oh have them work together?  Yeah we tried that.  I think that's where the phrase 'too many cooks in the kitchen' comes from.

Then the kids proceeded to use the leftover marshmallows for some sort of basketball game involving cups of milk all around the kitchen then they decided to make 'marshmallow taffy' in the microwave, their original recipe.  Good times at the Wallworks.

Oh & I stand corrected.

Shelly's Cream Wafers

Glenn's sister Shelly made these cookies every year at Christmas.  I remember she would arrive with a big ol' tin overflowing with these flaky, melt in your mouth wafers filled with sweet frosting and everyone would go nuts.

I've had every Christmas treat, cookie and tradition ever made, why had I never heard of these?  I promptly got the recipe (similar to THIS one)  from Shelly and they soon became our favorite holiday cookie as well.

 I took them to a church function a few years ago, our stake Creche festival, where thousands of people go every Christmas to view all different Nativity scenes.  There were a gazillion cookies donated and my good friend Channin (who is a FANTASTIC cook & baker) was raving about these little green and pink filled cookies she had tried there.  I practically jumped up and down waving my hand in the air saying "Mine, they're mine.  I made those!!!"

This is Glenn's oldest sister Shelly, who brought these cookies into my life.  She died 2 years ago from complications dealing with Cancer.  She left behind 2 married children and a daughter still in high school.  She played the piano beautifully and once even played the organ in the Cathedral at Notre Dame.   The public isn't allowed to play it but she figured she had nothing to lose by asking her guide, and he said yes.  Before he could change his mind she sat down and started playing.  I always remember Shelly having the biggest most genuine smile on her face when she was at the piano.

We miss you Shelly and love all the joy you brought into our life.  Thanks for the cookies, they'll always remind me of you.

Boo Time

It's time to go BOOing.  There is nothing my kids love more than delivering treats all over Temecula.  We leave a treat and instructions to continue the BOOing on neighbors doors, ring the doorbell, and run!

My kids have it dialed.  One places the treats on the doorstep, one rings, & while those two run to the car the third does the stake out and makes sure the treats are found.  My job is making the holiday treats, and of course popcorn always has to be involved because it's just so darn festive.

We were first BOOed on Tuesday night and then again tonight.  Ethan ran upstairs excitedly yelling, "We've been BOOed, we've been BOOed again!"  We were supposed to put the sign on our door letting others know we've already been BOOed, but I think I'll hold off until we get a few more treats :)

Halloween Popcorn
Boo Templates