Williams of Washington: May 2008

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Making Bread

I am a baker at heart. I love to bake bread, cinnamon rolls etc. I don't so much like cooking dinner, but I LOVE baking. I find it theraputic to work with the dough, and play with the recipes until they're just right and of course I like to EAT the end result.

Whole Wheat Bread making has been top on my list for quite a few years now. I have a recipe that I got back in college and it is my FAVORITE. I have tweaked it over the years and think it is just right. It is great because it has only a few simple ingredients.

I will share, as I have had a few requests recently.

Megan's Whole Wheat Bread

(makes four loaves but can be cut in half)

5 cups warm water

2/3 c. sugar ( I have found that I prefer dark brown sugar the best) but any will do

2/3 c. oil

2 T. Yeast (I like the SAF brand best)

2 T. salt (or slightly less)

10-12 C. WHole Wheat Flour

Usually I add (but it is not in the recipe--just makes it even healthier)

1-2 c. whole wheat bran (this kicks up the fiber content and no one can tell the difference in the bread. You do have to adjust the amount of flour slightly.

First, I dump all water, oil, sugar, yeast and salt into mixer and mix lightly. Then add about 9

cups of flour and the wheat bran and let knead for a while. Depending on the thickness and texture you should add more flour if needed. Knead for 15 mins. or so.

Let raise in bowl until almost doubled.

On an oiled surface, divide the dough into four chunks.Roll the dough into four loaves and place in greased loaf pans to rise.

I let my loaves rise in the oven at about 100. When the loaves have risen like above, then bake at 350 for 20-25 mins. until the tops and bottoms are brown.

Let loaves cool for a while and then remove from pans so the sides will dry a bit and then enjoy. This bread does freeze nicely and so I bake about every 10 days or so. It is very pliable and you can make sandwiches or anything else.

Enjoy-

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Milestone

This is a photo of my the FIRST class that I ever taught.
It was ten years ago this week that I completed my first year of teaching. I felt that I had moved the earth (just a little) because it felt like such a big accomplishment.
I was 22 years old and so full of ideals and goals and dreams for my career. I started that year thinking I would change lives and about half way through, I was wondering if I could change mine and perhaps take a different direction. . .The challenge of teaching and being responsible for a classroom of students and their education was a little overwhelming.

Now, here's the milestone. This sweet little class is GRADUATING from HIGH SCHOOL this week.
I know, you're thinking (gasp) she can't be that old! Is she really? How does time fly?

I am that old, they are graduating (and so is my baby brother this year) and time does fly. I hope that these students have gone far in their education and even more, I hope that they have learned that this is just the beginning of their education.

My wish is that I had a little part in building a foundation for a LOVE of LEARNING in these kids and all the kids I taught over the years. I hope that they go on to pursue the things that they love and accomplish great things and that they will ALWAYS be learning. And maybe, just maybe, some of them will go on to teach others. . .

Here is one of the few photos that I could dig up, of me with the class.

Thanks for a great initiation into teaching and congratulations kids!

Friday, May 9, 2008

Mothering

I have been a mother I relatively short amount of time, compared to some of the pros around me. However, in the 4 years of mommy-hood, I would like to think that I have learned a few things from my experiences.

* sleep really DOES seem better when you haven't had any for a LONG time!

* cuddles and loves from a 1 year old seem to erase memories of the screaming tantrum that proceeded the cuddles

* picnics on the carpet in January bring a little spring into your life

* date nights are CHERISHED

* no matter how long my child goes without milk, they will wait, because they WONT take a bottle and the truth be told, that makes me happy.

* the smell of a newborn baby is so precious and is not duplicated

* 4 people in a king size bed can get squishy, but it also feels very safe and cozy sometimes too

* Food can be thrown farther than I ever imagined

* the first time a child says "mommy" is burned into my memory and will go down as some of my greatest moments in life

* Little tiny shoes in the store will always make me smile and ooh and ahh

* Daddies are VERY IMPORTANT people in the lives of MOMMIES & KIDS

* sand and rocks can entertain for hours--who cares about messes

* the smell of freshly bathed children with damp hair makes me feel peaceful

* I always feel better at night after checking on my kids for the 2nd time. . .

* I have given up many of my less desirable habits because I don't want them to pass on to my kids

* I should give up even more

* I cherish time with family

* being pregnant and giving birth is a MIRACLE

* hearing my 4 year old sing primary songs as she plays, makes my heart sing

* saying family prayer brings us closer

* the Lord watches over mommies and their kids

*AS A MOTHER I HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED, BLESSED, STRENGTHENED AND REFINED

and I wouldn't have it any other way.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?

Thursday, May 8, 2008

My Mom

Of course, this week I have been thinking about mothers. And, in my current condition (pregnant) the very thought of moms and babies and kids leaves me weepy. Of course, because these things are close to my heart and all around me, inside and out!

But I did want to pay tribute to my mother. Moms come in all shapes and sizes, with different talents and skills, different ideals and dreams but in the long and short of it, all mothers TEACH. They teach us by example and by purpose.

Here are some great things that my mom has taught me (in no particular order)

1. How to cook for a crowd. My family is thankful for this skill on a daily basis.

2. Not to be afraid of hard work. Being a mother is hard work, as are most worthwhile things in life. She taught me to get in there and do my best.

3. Babies are precious and time moves quickly. She showed me how to treasure those moments and hold my babies tight and ENJOY. I remember as a kid wanting to hold my siblings and it was a challenge for my mom to let go for a moment. She LOVED her babies (and kids).

4. How to bake a mean chocolate chip cookie, cinnamon rolls, bread, etc. She is an amazing baker and cook. We still reap the rewards of her cooking:)

5. Roll your sleeves up and jump into the party. In fact, when looking for a picture for this post, I had a hard time find one that I thought she would approve of because many of them she is in a swimsuit, of having her hair done by a 3 year old, or cleaning, or chasing kids. She is that kind of mom and grandma, she gets down and PLAYS. She will get into a swimsuit and be one of the first to run in the waves at the beach.

6. Help others! I have seen her pregnant, sick, busy, up to her neck with projects and she always finds time to help a neighbor or ward member or child.

7. That sometimes, CHOCOLATE will help you feel better.

8. LAUGH. When we were first married, the thing KC noticed most about my mom was her laugh and the ability to do it all the time and find humor in life. She has an infectious laugh and I LOVE it. I love to tell her my kids doings, because she always laughs and I will laugh too.

9. How to bargain shop. I've mentioned before, we enjoy shopping. Looking for deals and scanning the isles of TJMaxx.

10. That NOTHING, Not a single thing, compares to a MOTHER'S LOVE. A mothers kiss can heal wounds and dry tears, a mothers encouragement can move mountains and a mothers support can change a life.

Thanks mom, for all you are in my life.