Spit it out already January 20, 2010

Last night I had a conversation with Nate about how frustrating it is to talk to someone that uses a lot of words, and talks for a long time, but in the end says nothing.  Agree?  It seems our culture is obsessed with phrases and words that leave them sounded unintelligent.  Phrases like “just really” “like” “you know”.  To me they are like nails on a chalkboard.  Even worse, is when they creep into someone’s prayer and I no longer can follow what the person is petitioning God for, but am lost as I count the numbers of “just really”s unnecessarily interjected.

Then Nathan sent me this link from a friend’s website today that entirely summed up my thoughts on this subject.   So you, like, totally have to watch this super cool and super right-on video.

Hopefully after watching this you will join me and take to the streets to take back the English language and once again create a people that sound sincere, intelligent, and that like they possess a brain that can process full sentences.  For real.

Artisan Bread January 15, 2010

Some of you have asked me to post the recipe I’ve been using to make artisan bread. I decided a few months ago to start trying this new method of bread baking to try and cut down our grocery budget even more, and it is excellent!  Nathan, who is my biggest critic when it comes to food, even loves it, however I think he’s a little concerned that I’m getting a tad bit “Little House on the Prairie” on him.  Don’t worry babe, I promise to not start grinding my own flour and wearing a bonnet, that is unless that bonnet makes me look sexy…  :)

This recipe is actually just the base recipe for artisan bread from the book Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day. It honestly is one of the easiest things I’ve ever tried, and I have been thrilled with the results.  I always have dough waiting in the refrigerator to bake and can make as big or small a loaf as I think we’ll need for the day.  If you think you might want to start making all of your bread for your family I would say the book is worth every penny.  This recipe should yield about four 1 pound loaves of bread.

The recipe is below.  If you give it try, I’d love to see a picture of the finished product!

Ingredients:

3 cups lukewarm water (~100º F)

1 1/2 T. active yeast

1 1/2 T. salt (I use kosher salt, but regular table salt works just as well, but you’ll want to cut back the amount a bit)

6 1/2 c. flour (the best is unbleached all-purpose)

1.  Add yeast and salt to water in a large mixing bowl (I use my Kitchen Aid mixer for this).

2. Add flour (Make sure you use a dry ingredients measuring cup and use the scoop and level method, not packing any of the flour in)

3.  Mix the ingredients together with the dough hook attachment until the dough is uniformly combined (You can also mix with your hand).  The dough should have a somewhat “wet” look to it.

4.  Set dough aside, covered (but not airtight) for at least two hours to let rise.  (I usually allow it to rise until the dough begins to fall in on itself ~3-4 hours)

5. Place dough, covered but not airtight, in the fridge overnight.  (This dough will keep in the fridge for up to 14 days.

6.  When you’re ready to bake the bread, sprinkle flour over the dough (to help cutting the wet dough) and slice off about a grapefruit sized piece for a 1 pound loaf.  You can make this as big or small depending on how much bread you’ll need that day.

7.  With floured hands “cloak” the dough until the top of the dough is smooth.

8.  Let the dough rise for 40 mins.  Before baking, sprinkle the top of the dough with flour and slash a “cross” in the middle, 3-5 vertical slashes all perpendicular, or what ever “artful” way you can think of to decorate your loaf.

9.  Preheat the oven to 450º for 20 min with a baking stone and an empty pan that you eventually pour water into on the rack just below the stone.

10.  Once preheated, slide the dough onto the stone and pour 1 cup of hot water into the pan, closing the oven door quickly to trap the steam.

11.  Bake for 30 minutes or until the outside of the bread is dark.

12.  Place on a cooling rack and allow to cool before eating, but we like to eat it warm.

Here’s a good presentation from the authors of the book that show you how to make the bread.

When you initially look at the directions, they can look a bit daunting.  But I promise that after your first time making it, it comes together in a snap.  Let me know if you have any questions!

New Year’s Resolutions January 12, 2010

I know, I know.  Why do I do this to myself?  New Year’s resolutions seem to be made for the sake of being broken, especially when you struggle with discipline.  However, I was so refreshed and encouraged after our trip home that I knew I had to come home and make some changes, after a very up and down last nine months.  Nathan and I also resolved to do a few things in our marriage for the coming year to help us grow spiritually together.  So I’ve been attempting to get more structure in my days, find time so that I can grow more in the knowledge of God, keep my kitchen clean, get up earlier, shower in the mornings, eat better…are you as exhausted as I am just reading that list?

Something that inevitably accompanies resolutions, well at least for me, is guilt.  I’m trying to make myself into super-woman, super-wife, super-worker.  I will always fall short.  I’ve woken up for the last 4 or 5 days with this sinking feeling of guilt, that I didn’t do enough, or I left my kitchen a mess before I went to bed.  So as I was sitting this morning trying to find some semblance of balance in this, I came across this verse in Hosea 6:6 “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” (ESV)

For some context, Hosea, the prophet, is sharing God’s heart of frustration that the Israelites seem to think they can just “do” stuff for God, but let their hearts run wild for anything and everything else.  But God doesn’t want just our actions, He passionately desires our hearts and our unfailing love.  So today, I’m going to continue to work on being disciplined, but to have my discipline be motivated from a heart that loves God and want’s to live a “self-controlled, upright life” (Titus 2:11-12), because that is what God has called His people to.  And there is no guilt in that, because Christ has secured me through grace, and not my deeds.  Ah, rest.

So I’m off to grab my whole grain bread, vitamins, and spinach shake.  Wish me luck!  (And yes, I did say spinach shake…don’t knock it till you try it.)

Things I never thought I’d say… January 9, 2010

1. One of my favorite blogs is a food blog.
2. It feels good to be back home in California.
3. I’m pretty content to be home and “keep house”.
4. I use a seat heater in 55º weather. (I know, what have I become)
5. I prefer tornados over earthquakes.
6. My jeans are starting to feel tight.
7. My husband is often right.
8. My Christmas presents all had something to do with the kitchen.
9. I’d rather do my laundry myself.
10. I don’t know how I ever lived without Nathan.
11. I like me a little Lady Gaga. (Please don’t hold it against me)

Merry Christmas! December 24, 2009

The stockings are hung, and I’m just waiting for my Santa to get out of bed and open presents with me!  We’re celebrating Christmas on Christmas Eve morning, opening presents and enjoying a little egg casserole and cinnamon rolls.  After Christmas Eve Services we’ll be dropped off at the airport and be MidWest bound, weather permitting!

This will likely be our last post of 2009.  We would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  This year has been one of many changes for us and in a lot of ways a difficult year as we adjust to married life in a new place.  Through it all we have seen, but not always clearly, our Father’s hand on us.  We’ve appreciated all of your prayers and friendship these last nearly nine months.  We eagerly anticipate all the ways that God will use you and us to glorify Himself in this coming year and pray that you may know Him more intimately in 2010 than you ever dreamed of.

And now, you can stop checking your mailboxes, because this is as close to a Christmas card/letter that you will be getting from us this year!  Merry Christmas!  Mom and Dad (Eagles and Starmer), we’re coming!!!

Merry Christmas, from the Eagles'!

Contemplation December 23, 2009

I must admit that I’ve not spent much time contemplating this Christmas the significance of God coming to earth in the form a small newborn child.  I haven’t considered much all that it cost him to give His beloved Son.  I haven’t stopped to truly marvel at all the prophecies fulfilled by the coming of His Son.  I haven’t been truly grateful for that night that my Saviour gave up comfort in Heaven to come and die so that we might live.

I’ve been too wrapped up in getting ready to go home and see family and friends.  Too wrapped up and worried about whether or not the weather will allow us to get home or if we’ll be spending Christmas in an airport.  I know a lot of us are.  But, I hope that this week we can put that all aside and regardless of where we end up Christmas Day we will be filled with overwhelming joy that He is Emmanuel, God with us, and that has made all the difference in the world, in your life and in mine.  Thank you, Jesus, for without you, we would be lost.  You are far better to us than we deserve.

Black & White, an Organ and Popcorn December 22, 2009

What do these three things have in common?  They can all be found at the Stanford Theatre in Palo Alto.  Yesterday Nathan had to go to Ikea on the peninsula, so I went with him and convinced him to take me to this theater.

Stanford Theatre built in the 1920's

This theater was built in the 1920’s and has been kept in it’s original state.  They play old movies in black and white (my favorite).  For $7 a ticket we saw Miracle on 34th Street and Shop around the Corner.  Both movies were great and to our delight enjoyed hearing Christmas music played on an organ that rose from the floor during intermission.  You can see the organ on stage in the picture.

It was a perfect way to enjoy some Christmas classics and Nathan was rather fond of their $2.50 popcorn.  Thanks, love, for the impromptu date!

A delayed post means… December 15, 2009

A list of recent loves.  I know that I still need to post about our whopping Thanksgiving, guests, and have a few others up my sleeve, but until I can find the time to do that, I will leave you with a list of my recent favorites…

1.  Real Christmas trees!  Who knew that Christmas could be made that much better?!  My husband was right.  They smell delicious, look beautiful, and you get to water them (insert sarcasm).  Maybe this will be one plant that I won’t butcher to death.

2.  Gummy bear vitamins.  If I was sure it wouldn’t kill me, I’d eat the whole bottle in one sitting.  I was told to start taking a multi-vitamin and my friend told me about these.

3.  Homemade artisan bread.  I started making our bread a few weeks back and use the “Artisan Bread in 5 minutes” recipe and let me tell you, it is delicious.  Takes little time, and virtually idiot proof.

4.  Catherine Miller Bible studies.  I just started a new book of hers and am thoroughly enjoying learning to have an Intimate relationship with my Father.  I’ve done several of her studies before and both have stretched and grown me.  I’d highly recommend any of her studies.

5.  Costco at Christmas time.  I can’t really explain it, but everytime I’ve walked into that gargantuan warehouse this Christmas season, I leave feeling full of life and excited.  Who knew buying in bulk could so invigorate you.

6.  Trader Joe’s.  I must say, it took some convincing to get on this bandwagon.  I thought it must be a gimmick.  But it’s true, they have produce at a reasonable price and I’m falling in love with their salad dressings, cheese selection, and candy (imagine that).

7.  My husband.  This may seem like a no-brainer, but he has been such a trooper the last few weeks and I couldn’t have gotten through them without him.  And my, my, my, is he handsome.

8.  Our Thursday night Bible study.  I absolutely love diving into the Word with this group of couples and they have treated us like family (as in the kind of family that you like and get along with).

9.  Ironically, there has been a silver lining in living away from family during the Christmas season.  The anticipation and excitement to fly home on Christmas Day and see everyone we love has made the last few weeks more exciting.

10.  Re-watching the previous seasons of Lost.  We can’t WAIT for the season premiere of the final season, and I’m picking up so much more than when I last watched them.

11.  Eating out with friends after church.  This may seem silly, but it’s a big deal to us.  I love that we now have people that we are friends with to actually lunch with.

12.  I’ve been reading through Hosea this week, and I love the reminder that God is faithful when we are not to Him.  I love that by grace I can approach Him with confidence and know that I won’t be rejected.

Home Sweet Home November 25, 2009

I saw this video on someone else’s blog today and HAD to post it!  I’m not really a fan of dogs (don’t think less of me), but this was so heartwarming that I couldn’t help myself.  It reminded me of the time my dad returned home from Iraq and our dog Jake was so excited to see him that he peed all over the floor.  We’re actually housesitting this week and watching a golden retriever, so maybe I might just decide that we need one after all.

 

Egg Noodles November 22, 2009

One of Nathan’s favorite meals from his childhood is Noodle and Cracker Crumbs.  He usually doesn’t have an opinion on what he wants for dinner, but every once in a while, he’ll pipe up and say its a ‘noodle and cracker crumbs’ night.  They basically are egg noodles mixed with butter and finally crushed cracker crumbs.  I forgot to take a picture of the final product, but I imagine you can picture this in your head.

Unfortunately we’ve had some difficulty finding egg noodles out here.  So the last time he wanted this dish, I remembered that my mom makes homemade egg noodles for chicken noodle soup, so I thought I’d give it a try.  And were they good, and easy!  I may never buy egg noodles from the store again.  I used this recipe, but asked my mom about it later and she doesn’t even really use a recipe, they’re pretty difficult to mess up.

Once you mix the eggs, flour and salt up, you roll the dough out as thin as possible.  Then, I rolled it up and sliced the dough into pinwheels.

slice into pinwheels

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next, I set out some wax paper and snipped the unrolled pin wheels, into the desired length for my noodles and let them dry for about and hour.  (The recipe will tell you let dry out completely, overnight, but you can throw them into a pot of boiling water right away, if you like)

Ready to boil

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I made mine a little too thick this time and will roll them out thinner next time (which just happens to be this evening, we’re having Beef Stroganoff).  This recipe makes a hefty amount of noodles, so you can just throw whatever you didn’t use in a ziploc and freeze them until the next time you need them.   So how did I do Mom?