A Cold Week

It has been cold in this frozen wonderland. I live in the Northwest. Idaho to be specific, about 100 miles south of the Canadian border, and the weather has been colder here than in Alaska. Especially last Sunday.  It was 19 degrees here and 27 degrees in Alaska. 

As I drove around town this week,  I photographed one of my favorite things, the American flag.  It flies beside the local baseball diamond off Ramsey road in Coeur d'Alene.

First, may I say how grateful I am that our flag still waves, and thank you to all of you that makes sure it does!!! 




Second, to all of you that play the wonderful games of baseball that I get to bring my chair to, sit on sweet green grass and watch, I can hardly wait for you to show up again.  You see I'm too old to do anything more than just sit and watch you play, and remember when I played.  But, I'm so glad that the game of baseball is still a part of my life.

And finally, to all of you that check in from time to time to see how we're doing....we are doing great!  Mature and moving a lot slower than I would like, but that may change with the weather, or at least I can hope!

The Big C Word

So,  this week I learned that my lovely companion of over thirty years has prostate cancer.  Not the really bad,"you are going to die from this" type of cancer, but a low to medium grade kind that has a good prospect of being defeated with radiation.  I didn't even know there was a rating system, but apparently I'm going to learn more about this subject than I ever wanted to.

What did I do?  Pretty much I did what I usually do about stressful situations...I eat...then I become the queen of de NILE and have a pity party. But this time, maybe it's age or maybe it's the good people around me, but I've decided I want to do something different.  Don't get me wrong....Chocolate is still my friend and right now I could seriously use a pound or two of Sees candies - the rum kind. But don't send me any...REALLY!!!

Instead read this blog and send me your comments. I'll do my best to find a way to answer you.   Also, I promise to write about what's going on, in as upbeat a manner as the big C word can be talked about. I'm sure I'm not the only person facing this medical situation.  Maybe you could help me and maybe I could help you.  We'll see.

 

Isn't this a wonderful picture.  My daughter Christy Warnick took it last year.   Thanks C!

Of course I'll write about other things also.  Like today, I saw hundreds of birds flying South...then I saw hundreds of them flying North...It made me wonderful what scared them back.  My Sweetie and I had a good laugh together over them.

There really are so many mysteries that need exploring!

Hugs from Amanda

White Bread Recipe

I looked in the refrigerator and my Sweetie had put dough from his bread making adventure into it. So I made sweet rolls with huckleberries.  They were delicious this morning for breakfast.  I used huckleberries because they grow abundantly here in the Northwest, but I'm thinking you could use any kind of berry that you enjoy.  But first things first...I promised you the bread recipe.  You will love this!

White Bread 

3 cups Hot Water

1 tablespoon Yeast, SAF Instant or Red Star

1 Tablespoon Salt

3 Tablespoons Oil. Safflower, High Oleic

3 Tablespoons granulated sugar

flour, about 7-8 cups total.

NOTE:  The High Oleic Safflower Oil and the Red Star yeast make the best bread, but you can use the oil and yeast that you enjoy.

General Directions

Grease 3 large bread loaf pans with shortening. or if  you want yeast rolls and bread:

grease 2 large bread loaf pans and place dough in pans.  

Set pans in a warm place and let dough rise until it forms a nicely shaped loaf rising about 1" above the side of the pan, about 30-40 minutes.  

Bake in preheated oven.  350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes, or until done. 

 NOTE:  Cover the loaf pans loosely with foil during the lst 10-15 minutes so they do not get too brown. Remove loaves from pans and let cool on wire rack.  Rub the top of each loaf with butter to soften crust.  Place loaves in plastic bags when warmth is barely discernible...if not eaten first.

Enjoy!!!   .....I'm working on getting my breakfast roll recipe for you next.

Fresh Homemade Bread on a Snowy day

It's been snowing in Couer d' Alene, ID.  I think we have almost 6 inches now and it is still coming down. The weatherman says it will stop by tomorrow.  I say ANYTIME is Good!

Thankfully, the house is warm and smells  really good! That's because my dear husband decided to make fresh bread.  Yum!  I looked for the recipe for you...I'll post it as soon as I find it.  You are going to love it!

As for me, I have been editing, editing, editing.  I have Book One of the Prism Collection that I have been working on for the past two years almost ready to publish.

The book is titled "Revealed" and about Jean Paul Trei, who falls into a crypt and has to fight against time and foes to keep what is rightfully his.  I'll write more about that later also.

But I wanted to say I'm sorry I gave up blogging for awhile, since I needed to focus on research for a time.  However, I missed you, and so I'm here again.

Thanks for hanging in there!  Hugs and Love. Amanda