Frogs in the Kneading Bowls! When Bread is On The Menu

Salutations!

I could handle frogs in my bed, and I could handle frogs in the hall, I could even handle frogs in the bathtub, but not in the kneading bowls! There were frogs all over the Sunday school classroom as we listened to the story of the plagues in Exodus. The Word said that there were frogs in the kneading bowls.

I am attached to my bread bowl. I love its wide rim and deep body. I love the way the stainless steel shines. I labor with that bowl! It's so satisfying to lift the towel off the top, and see bread raised and ready for the oven!

One of my favorite bread recipes is this one from Edward Espe Brown.

Focaccia-Olive Oil Bread With Fresh Rosemary
Makes two loaves.


2 c. warm water
2 tbsp. dry yeast
3 tbsp. fresh rosemary, minced
1/4 c. olive oil
1 tsp. salt
1 c. unbleached white flour
1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
3 c. unbleached white flour
Olive oil for glazing
Coarse sea salt

Start with the water. Stir in the yeast, then the rosemary, olive oil, and salt. Stir in the one cup of white flour and the 1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour. Beat about 100 strokes.

Fold in 2 cups of white flour, 1/2 c. at a time. Turn the dough out on a floured board and knead using up to one more cup of flour to keep from sticking. Knead until smooth and elastic.

Let the dough rise for about an hour until it doubles in size. Punch down and let rise another 40 minutes.

Divide the dough in half. Shape each half as desired. Place on oiled sheet pan and brush the top with olive oil. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt.

Preheat oven to 375. Let rise about 20 minutes, and then bake about 25-30 minutes until browned.


This bread smells so good! Have you ever noticed what happens when bread is on the menu? Put out a pretty dish of butter and it disappears! At first we cut it with a serrated bread knife into evenly spaced portions, and soon we just rip it off like wolves in the woods! Bread goes with anything. Have you ever asked yourself, "What should we have with...?" and all the while you were thinking about that one thing... Bread?

When you are plagued with the doldrums, and stuck in a slump, get out your kneading bowls! Teach your children about Pharaoh. I like to sing a little ditty, "No! No! They cannot go!"

This is dedicated to my very special little people at HBC. Especially James, whom I can hear singing our ditty with great enthusiasm.

Swinging with you,
Alis

A Fragrant Home

Good Morning Sweet Friends!

The morning is already advancing with accelerating speed. My to-do list is longer than my get-up-and-go. Fernando Ortega echoes, "Give me Jesus..."
and I am taken by the song writer's petition for Christ at three specific events:
in the morning when I rise, when I am afraid, and when I go to die.

I have just received a shipment of merchandise for the baskets from one of my favorite vendors. Scented candles in all their welcome fragrance from Pure Integrity Candles.

As spring approaches and temperatures become milder I will delight in filling my home with the aromas of lemongrass, sage, honeysuckle, and lavender. I would love for my dear readers to enjoy these special candles. You might visit their website or order from me.

Did you know that God's word describes our service to Him as fragrant when it is offered in the right aspect. It is only pleasing to Him when it comes from a heart that presents it with joy. In my business, presentation is everything! So it is with God. Where are your motives this morning?

I believe that in the morning, when I rise, is the perfect time to petition Jesus. To ask for that grace that I will need today. To plead for the strength that I will require. To pray, boldly for his guidance and praise humbly for his gifts and his character. To want more of Him.

"But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere."
2 Corinthians 2:14

May your sweet service be an influence for his gospel today.
Alis

Do You Know Teeccino?

Photo by Kim Newberg/ Public Domain

Salutations!

Frigid! That word best describes the yard this morning. Dense icicles are cascading from the porch trim and all the items resting on the porch are seized with frost. The snow crunches, and the concrete is dressed in thin panes of icy glass. Brrr!

Inside, the thermometer, in the kitchen window, reads a half crack to the right. I'm not sure if it was ever accurate. Mornings like this were made for Teeccino.

Teeccino is Mediterranean Herbal Coffee. Made from carob, barley, dates, almonds, and chicory mostly, it is caffeine free and delicious. It is also ground and can be used in a French-Press or espresso machine. There are a variety of blends. This morning I am enjoying Java Organic. I add hot frothed milk and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Teeccino has a slightly sweet taste on its own from the dates and figs.

Teeccino for two weeks can break a caffeine habit. I happen to be caffeine-sensitive, so it is a favorable option for me. If you are a hearty coffee drinker, your taste buds might take longer to acquire a taste for Teeccino. There are other health benefits. It's non-acidic, contains heart-healthy potassium, and supports your digestive system with prebiotics.

Kids can drink Teeccino too. It has less sugar than cocoa and zero stimulants.

Warm and inviting! That is the best word to describe a steaming mug of Teeccino. They have a website.

Have a great day!

Alis

Fresh Fruit

Welcome Friends!

I am so delighted when I can send company off with a little gift. The leftover cake from dessert, a special mug or teacup, perhaps a copied recipe, just a forget-me-not...

When you stop by, I always want to leave you with a treat, because it means a lot to me that you visit!

Today's resource is something I can give to you a little at a time. It is a Calendar of Fruit Seasons. Do you have one? I found this years ago in a book from the library. It is very helpful. (The fruits listed in capitals are at the height of their seasons.)

January: blood oranges, dates, kiwi fruit, kumquats, LAVENDER GEMS, lemons, limes, oranges, papayas, pears, pineapples, TANGELOS, tangerines

February: blood oranges, dates, kiwi fruit, kumquats, lemons, limes, oranges, papayas, pears, pineapples, strawberries, tangelos, tangerines

March: blood oranges, dates, kiwi fruit, kumquats, lemons, limes, oranges, papayas, pears, PINEAPPLES, strawberries, tangelos, tangerines

Try to buy fruit in season. Beautiful produce, in all its color, is such a gift! Try it for dessert.


Round out your morning meal with fresh fruit, such as a tangerine, or "cutie",
some whole grain toast and low-fat yogurt.

Warmly,
Alis

Tis The Season

Good Morning Porch Pals!

As we approach year's end, I would like to remind you that it is time to clean out the spice cabinet.

Here are a few tips to enhance this chore:

1.) Test- Remove all the spices from the cabinet. Line them up and then one by one, open them and sniff. You should smell a strong odor. If this is not the case, your spice has expired. It will be flat, flavorless, and boring. So will any dishes that it is added to.

2.) Toss- Get rid of old spices. They do not need to take up space. You could wash out the jar and lid and reuse it. Simply adhere a new label with tape or a label maker.

3.) Treat- Most stores have spices and extracts on sale during the holidays. In fact our local market has the store brand marked half-off. Treat yourself to new replacements. Add one per week. Walmart has spices in the Hispanic foods aisle for around a dollar.

4.) Taste- Sample something new. Try a curry or a tangy spice blend. Trying new things will enhance your recipe repertoire.

5.) Tally- Keep a tally of your spices on the inside of the cabinet door. As you run low on one, make a note.

It's really very simple. I like to keep my spices in alphabetical order. That may sound extreme at first, but it is a real time saver. I can easily see if I have something and quickly locate it.

Dear readers I hope you will savor this experience. Take lifeless to marvelous by checking your spice expiration dates at least twice per year.

Adding flavor to your home,
Alis