Sweet Summer

Ahh.  Sweet summer.  I am so excited summer is finally here.  Looking forward to spending time with my precious children, but will certainly miss my husband for the next month.  He is leaving Monday for Nepal.  I know he will be doing incredible work for the Lord, but I feel an awesome responsibility of managing the children and our home alone.  I foresee spending a lot of time at home with the kids.  It is too hard to take two kids out alone. 

Some things I am looking forward to this summer...

Working out - running with a double jogger  Zumba Wednesday mornings 10am @ Providence

Scrapbooking 

Pool - Alexander's new pool is big enough for me too.

Creative cooking 

Bread Machine Bagel Recipe

1 cup warm water

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

2 tablespoons white sugar

3 cups bread flour

2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast

3 quarts boiling water

3 tablespoons white sugar

1 tablespoon cornmeal

1 egg white

   1. Place 1 cup of warm water, salt, 2 tablespoons sugar, flour and yeast in the bread machine pan in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select Dough setting and press start.

   2. When cycle is complete, let dough rest on a lightly floured surface. Meanwhile, in a large stock pot, bring 3 quarts of water to a boil. Stir in 3 tablespoons of white sugar.

      Cut dough into 9 equal pieces, and roll each piece into a small ball. Flatten balls. Poke a hole in the middle of each with your thumb. Twirl the dough on your finger to enlarge the hole, and to even the dough around the hole.

   3. Cover bagels with a clean cloth and let rest for 10 minutes.

   4. Sprinkle an ungreased baking sheet with cornmeal and set aside.

   5. Carefully transfer bagels to pot of boiling water. Boil for 1 minute, turning halfway through. Drain briefly on clean towel.

   6. Once drained, arrange boiled bagels on baking sheet with cornmeal. Glaze tops with egg white, and sprinkle with your choice of other toppings.

   7. Bake in preheated 375-degree F oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden. 

 Homemade Baking Mix

    * 10 cups flour (I used freshly-ground whole-wheat. Doreen suggested doing half white and half whole-wheat.)

    * 8 Tablespoons baking powder

    * 1 teaspoon cream of tartar

    * 1 1/4 cup powdered milk

    * 1 Tablespoon salt

    * 1/4 cup sugar or turbinado

    * 2 1/4 cup coconut oil or shortening

Mix all dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Cut in shortening or cold coconut oil until you have fine crumbs. Store in a tightly covered container in a cool place. Use in place of Bisquick.