Sunday, July 19, 2009

Homemade Bread Recipe

White Bread Recipe

Dissolve:
6 Tablespoons dry yeast in 8 cups warm water
Add:
1 cup white granulated sugar or 1 cup honey ( I use the sugar)
1 cup vegetable oil
1 can condensed milk
2 eggs
4 Tablespoons salt

Stir in enough white flour to make a stiff dough. Turn out onto kneading board and knead in enough white flour to make a smooth, silky, dough ** should not be sticky- just smooth and pliable. Let rise for 1 hour in LARGE bowl. Punch down and mold into at least 5 loaves. Place in thoroughly greased loaf pan ( I do not like the glass bread pans) Let rise for about 30 minutes then bake at 350 degrees F for atleast 40 minutes or until lightly browned.( each oven will vary, as well as personal preference on bread texture, I bake my first loaf about 35 minutes and see how much longer or shorter to bake the rest.) Remove loaf from Pan ( if you leave it in the loaf will sweat) onto a paper towel or cookie rack then rub butter on top of each loaf. Cool before putting them in anything (sweat). I use small garbage bags to put them in. May freeze as well for later use.

Any questions please ask! Bread is really simple to make and super yummy! I promise you can make this just as well as I can. By the way you could probably make 6 or 7 loaves out of this, instead of the 5. It all depends on the size of pan. Or you could do 5 and then use remainder dough to make rolls or bread sticks

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Change in Direction

Ok so I decided to change up my blog a little. While I may put posts of family life, I also decided to start putting recipes that I love on it as well. I love to cook, and most people that know that ask me for recipes etc because of it. So I thought it might be easy to just add my favorites to my blog for all to see. If you see a recipe and like it, let me know. I would love any feedback. I will post my first fave shortly, but must decide which yummy one deserves to be first.
See you soon
Tasha

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Oops! I guess its been awhile!

So many things have gone on since January!. I finished my first semester of college. And miracle of miracle passed math! We have also moved to Lehi! So far I like the ward, even though I was pretty much put into nursery right off the bat!. The kids are super cute, but I would have liked a little more time getting to know the women of the ward. It does look as if I will get my chance since I opened my mouth and made a suggestion to the RS Pres about a cooking night. Each month will be a different theme and whoever would like to come brings a sample of the finished product as well as the recipe to share with the other ladies. She liked it so much she put me in charge of it. It wasnt even an original idea from me. It came from my sis-in-law whos ward does it and I thought it sounded fun! Hopefully the other women in the ward will enjoy it as well. I have also been invited to play Bunco!! Im excited to make new friends, even though Murray will always hold a special place in my heart!
Summer has started and the kids are stir crazy! I hoping summer could last forever, but know that it will only go more quickly than I am wanting. It is hard to believe that Talia will be in High School! One more year and she will be driving and dating!! Heaven Help Us! She is such a beautiful young lady! I am in awe that I am her mother. I am always asking Heavenly Father to help me keep a close relationship with her. Especially with how innocence seems to be an idea from the past! I am in shock as I have walked the schools at the topics kids talk about so openly! I can only pray I have done all that I can to help them steer clear of too much trouble. She is amazing at helping out around the house. I cant count how many times I will go run an errand and will come home to a clean kitchen and vacumed living room. I dont really ever have to ask her to do it. So grateful for that. The other major change will be Cayden in Jr High!!! UGH!! He is such a little charmer! LOL. The girls seem to be quite smitten with him. He has such a big heart! He can be very tender which has its good and bad points. He and Brennan are so sweet together. There are many times I will walk into the room because I heard Brennan cry and Cayden has him snuggled up in his arms telling him its all right. It melts me. I wonder now that Cayden will no longer be with Taylor in school how she will do. She still seems to crave being the youngest, and is resistant to not being held anymore. She is so small for her age it has been easy to continue but there is a little competition that happens to her and Brennan wheneverone is not being held. Growing up is hard to do. Taylor will be in 3rd grade! I love that little thing but am sometimes concerned with her head in the clouds approach to life. lol. She is a little clown when others are around, with her silly faces and other goofy things she does. She does love Brennan and plays really well with him. He is just not a fan of her picking him up. I keep telling her its because they are almost the same size and not that he doesnt love her. Brennan is now over 18 months and I wonder if he will ever talk. Now he chatters all the time. There are some things he does however that let us know what he wants. Its also funny when we ask him a question like where are you shoes, he answers us with gibberish but puts his hands up as he shrugs his shoulders. Too stinking funny!! And the boy can get down!! LOL. He loves music! Some part of everyday my ipod is playing and he is not just bouncing like a lot of kids his age, OH NO, that little guy can swing his hips with the best of them!! He throws them from side to side then puts his arms up and moves them around! He has quite the rythm for one so young.
Some other crazy news is my brother Nate is getting MARRIED! I can hardly believe it. Now the really wonderful thing is is that he is marrying a friend of mine! I think I may be almost as excited as the two of them. How often do you get to pick your sis in law???? Leslie is the first friend of mine that I have been willing to introduce to him and he grabs her up! Sometimes its a little weird just figuring out new boundaries but it will be so fun to be related to her and her cute kids!!!
Ok well Im tired and will try and do a better job on keeping this up!
Yeah for summer!!! I hope everyone is enjoying it and spending lots of time with family!

Friday, January 16, 2009

School is in session!

School has begun!!!  Thankfully I am only taking 2 classes. I am wondering if online was the way to go? Its funny how you hear all the negatives "after" it too late! While online is convenient in some ways, there a few things you should know before hand. One is that online takes two to three times more time commitment. For example, English, I have one class of English a week. Doesnt sound too bad right? Well on top of that one day, I am expected to log in atleast 3 other times a week. How long I am online then depends on why I am there. Is it peer reponse or a chat session for an assignment. Thankfully I like English. When there are tests, I go to the college to take them. 
Then I have math. I am horrible at math. It has been about 16 yrs or more since I have had to be in school. And I did the bare minimum of math credits. Since school has started, I have been doing math atleast 3 or more hours a day! And it has only been review for the assignment I have yet to start. The program that I log into is really cool. The first time I logged in I had to finish an assessment to determine what I needed to learn to accomplish the assignment. Lets just say it was ALOT. The first assignment covers 3 chapters! Seriously? What a way to begin! 
Mark has been amazing. Because its online there is not teacher to show you anything. No lectures, no peer help, nothing. You are in charge of your own progress. Again the program is really cool. It has a pie chart to keep track of your progress. It shows you what you need to know to do your homework. You choose the order of the categories you  need to learn. That is kind of difficult. Its does not tell you which you should learn first. That has proven to be a BIG negative. There is a definite order to learning math. 
Now it seems like I have not like starting school again. But for the most part, it feels good to want to do something and act on it! I have a long way to go but less than before! For now Im going to bed! Im sure there will be more on the subject of school. Kudos to those who have gone to school while working or taking care of your family or maybe even both!!!  Time is something I no longer claim for just me. "Me" time just turned to school time. Thankfully I have a fantastic family who supports me. My kids even think its pretty cool. We shall see if it lasts.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

WOW A New Year!

So many possibilities!!!!  We are still seeing if the family is going to be able to buy our house.  I have decided to let go and let the chips fall where they may. Heavenly Father knows where we need to be. Thats good enough for me. In  about 10 days I will be starting my journey towards my Bachelors in Sonography ( Ultrasound). Im a little freaked out. I am also extremely excited! Also the first part of February, Taylor will be baptized and Cayden will be ordained a Deacon! Im so proud of my kids! 
A few things that we are hopeful for in this new year is the economy moving up. Construction is something that follows right along with wherever the economy is. I know there is some concern as to whether Mark can stay busy enough. We have felt it somewhat already but are optimistic, especially if the house sells!
I have a year and a half until I have my oldest daughter Talia driving and dating! Knowing how fast time flies, Im wishing it would slow down. Im not sure Im ready for this part of being a parent! Thankfully Talia is a smart cookie! I pray that she and I will still be close so the communication will be open between us. Teenagers can be so unpredictable.
For the most part Im excited to see what path we will take this year. With the sale of the home etc looming over us, there are so many directions open to us. Hopefully we will be patient and continue to remember we have an amazing guide to lead us along.
Happy New Year everyone!!!