Am I a fool in the kitchen?

The last few days I have been in a baking mood. This is the first year that I have started baking and my attempts have not been complete successes.

Exhibit A:
I have been trying to incorporate more whole wheat flour in our foods that require flour. I can do breads and pasta, but sweets just are not the same.

I made a huge batch of cinnamon rolls. It was a long process, letting the dough rise and then punch it back down...only to let it rise again. Flour is a necessity when rolling out dough so the kitchen was a mess too.

Two hours later, once they were done, I could definitely tell I used all whole wheat. Hindsight is always 20/20 and knowing past experiences with whole wheat, I should have used about half white and half wheat flour.

But cooking is a learning experience and figuring out what works for you is part of it. So I will know next time.

Exhibit B:
I did use the method of a little bit of both kinds of flour with these waffles and they are approved by all in the house (except Jeremy - he has egg white omelets). I used one cup of regular flour and three-quarters of a cup of whole wheat flour. They are yummy and I have about 10 breakfasts in the freezer for the girls to eat before school. Whew!

Tonight I made a huge batch of blueberry muffins and after the cinnamon roll, I chose to just make them taste good. Healthy or not, I felt like baking!

I made three dozen and MJ and Zoa love them!

Tonight, I am going to order a Christmas gifts for the girls. It will be my first buy from Etsy and is useful in the kitchen for my little bakers. I will post pictures when it comes in.

Happy Friday!

Turn Around

Last week was a crappy week. The weekend started off on the same level, but much more intense.

Jeremy and I rarely argue, but when we do, it's a dandy. And Friday night was our semi-annual argument. But all is good now...we layed it all out on the table and moved on.

Then the week started and it has been the complete opposite...

• Saturday I went to the winery. I had a blast!
• Sunday I went shopping...alone! Who cares it that means Jeremy waited in the car with the girls while I ran in real quick?
  
• Monday I found out that my test grade in Microbiology was actually a 96% instead of a 95%. Even though it is only one percentage point, I was still excited!
• Tuesday I found out that I won four tickets to the circus, compliments of Sarah, who I met here. I have been following her blog ever since. Thanks again Sarah!
  
• Halloween costumes are ordered and pictures are soon to follow.
  

Hopefully, this good streak will continue!

Way off subject, this weekend, I want to shampoo my carpets. Has anyone ever rented a Rug Doctor? How well did it work? Any suggestions other then a Rug Doctor?

A Year in Heaven

Please take a second to head over to my sister's blog. Today marks one year that her best friend passed away.

Show some comment love!

Kitchen Tip Tuesday: Throw in some spinach!

I consider myself lucky...my girls like their veggies. But if I want to add extra (and who doesn't?), I throw spinach in the meal. I grab one or two big handfuls, chop it real fine, add it to the dish or sauce, allow it to cook a little and serve.

You cannot taste it!

Some meals I normally add spinach to:
Spaghetti
Meatloaf
Stuff you put over toast
Omelets
Rice lasagna
Tacos
Hamburgers
Salisbury steak
Homemade pizza
Soups and chili

You can pretty much add it to anything that has a sauce or something that needs ground beef or turkey.

For more tips to help out in the kitchen, hop on over to Tammy's blog! And for more ways to add Superfoods to your diet, go to Kim at Kitchen Stewardship!

(Image via.)

Menu Plan Monday: The week of October 5

I want to see if I can make it another week without doing any major grocery shopping. I know I have a lot of chicken meals in here, but we do have chicken in the freezer and we all love it! I may have to make a quick run to the store for some produce (or send a list with Jeremy), but other than that, we should be set. Another thing is I noticed I got off the "Meatless Mondays" kick. I am going to try to incorporate two meatless meals each week. Maybe Jeremy won't notice....I can hope!

Monday: Garlic Chicken Pasta with a side salad

Tuesday: Meatballs with mashed potatoes and a veggie (I am going to try to make these meatloaf meatballs and freeze extra for MJ's lunch)
Wednesday: Black bean burritos and corn
Thursday: Texas Chicken Quesadillas

Friday: Honey Chicken with a veggie

Saturday: Shrimp over Simple Sesame Noodles

Sunday: A soup without an official name and Sinfully Sweet Cornbread (soo good!)

For hundreds of menu ideas, go to I'm an Organizing Junkie.

How may I help you?

Every now and then, I like to look at ways people find my blog. It is comical and at the same time, lets me know why readers click on my blog on their search result list.

This is what I have found recently...these are things that people have searched and my blog popped up:

three ladies and a dad - Makes sense, right?
easy oat bread - This is a recipe I posted.
jessie legrand - Made me smile. I literally said awww. :)
momshere - Not too sure what that means, but okay!
dad fruits - Hmmm...I wonder what they were looking for?
funny pictures of three ladies - I am sure I could dig one up for you!
how to plan month menu - It really is easy, but time consuming.
st. louis ladies found dead - My sympathies go out to you, but I am very much alive.

And my favorite...

sushi in pajamas p90x - I have probably eaten sushi in my pajamas, but not while doing P90X. I might have to try that this weekend!

Have a great weekend!

(Image via.)