February Nature

Not too many words today. I took these photos at my parents place yesterday. It was gorgeous out - for a winter day in Wisconsin :)

More Antique Mall Inspiration

Since I can't buy everything I like at an antique mall, I take pictures on my phone of things that stand out to me. Last weekend my husband and in-laws took me to two huge antique malls!

{I like February}

So many suitcases!

 {love the square shape!}

Some crafty things:



 {buttons!}

{yo-yo beadspread}

{wool thread on little sheep}

{trim}

Nautical:

 {anchor tray}

 {bunting!}



Kitchen type things:

 {little apron}

{I'm not much of a coffee drinker but I like the design and saying -"Coffee maketh bright the spirit"}

And some miscellaneous:

{love vintage cameras!}

Happy Valentine's Day and a Kitty Update!

Hope you're having a wonderful Valentine's Day full of love! Are you doing anything special? I was going to make some yummy stew for dinner tonight and chocolate covered strawberries, but my hubby is really not feeling well today. I think we'll celebrate another day!

I guess I get to snuggle with my little love bugs, Jake and Elwood, today! They haven't been on the blog in awhile. Yesterday marked having them six months. I can't believe how big and fluffy they have gotten and how much laughter and shenanigans they've added to our lives!

{just about 20 pounds of wiggly fluff is getting hard to hold - they look real amused}

{November 14, 2011}

{August 13, 2011 - the day we brought them home}

Yeah they haven't changed a bit ;)

P.S. - If you still need a Valentine card, print off this whale valentine :)

Birthday!

It was my birthday yesterday! I had a wonderful weekend - time with family, tasty food, so many hugs, antiquing, and crazy kitty entertainment. So much love! I am grateful.

A big hit of the party was this cake my mommy made! (based on this)

{excited to see what the inside looked like!}

My husband got me this wastebasket for my craft room at an antique mall we went to on Saturday.

{it even has a lid so our little garbage snitching kitty, Elwood, can't steal anything!}

And Jake, he's such a party animal!

He loves straws too so we tied one to a helium balloon....so hilarious!

Pretzel Rolls Recipe

 Happy Friday everyone! I have a tasty recipe to share with you today.

If you've never had a pretzel roll you are missing out! Pretzel rolls are one of my favorites! I love making them and family members love when I make them as well :)

The recipe is originally from Stresscake and is listed at the bottom of the post!

{starting with the yeast and warm water in the mixer}

{then add dry ingredients and melted butter}

{it forms a nice silky dough}

{let it rise covered for 1 hour in a warm place - I usually preheat the oven to its lowest temp, then turn it off and let the dough rise in there}

{doubled in size}

 {turn onto a floured surface - divide and shape into nice smooth balls}

This parts takes some practice! Here are some tips for shaping them!

{cover and let rise for 30 minutes}

 {poaching}

{brush with beaten egg, sprinkle with salt, and slit the tops}

Finally 15 - 20 minutes until dark golden deliciousness! 

{om nom nom}

Here is the full recipe from Stresscake:

Pretzel Rolls

Makes 18 rolls (adapted from an Alton Brown recipe)
If you use a bread machine, dump the dough ingredients in the order listed and hit the “dough” cycle – my machine does the whole cycle in 1½ hours – then pick up at the shaping step and proceed with the recipe.  If you don’t feel like getting pretzel salt then kosher salt or a large grain sea salt like Maldon will work.  Just don’t use table salt.  Ick.

For the dough:
1 ½ cups warm water (110°F or comfortably warm to the touch)
1 Tablespoon active dry yeast (1 package) – not quick rise yeast
2 teaspoons sugar
4 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons kosher salt
4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

For the poaching & glazing:
1/4 cup baking soda
large saucepan of water
1 egg, lightly beaten
pretzel salt

1. for the dough: Combine the water and the yeast in the bowl of a standing mixer and let rest 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Add the remaining ingredients (sugar, flour, salt, butter) and mix with the dough hook until thoroughly combined, the dough comes together and is rather silky – but not sticky – to the touch.
3. first rise: Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in bulk.
4. Punch down and turn out onto a lightly floured surface.
5. Line two sheet pans with parchment paper or Silpat mats.
6. shaping: Cut the dough into 18 pieces, roughly 2 ounces each. (Or really any size you wish, keeping in mind that you’re going to have to poach them in the baking soda solution so they need to fit into your pan. A large slim baguette would be wonderful but how are you going to poach the thing?)
7. To shape, take a piece of dough and start forming a nice round, smooth ball by pulling the sides to the center and pinching to seal.  By doing this, you’re creating a smooth skin around the dough ball.
8. Place, pinched side down, on a counter and lightly cupping your hand around the dough ball, rotate your hand in small circles lightly rolling the ball around the palm of your hand.  This takes some practice.
9. Space evenly on the prepared sheet pans, pinched seam side down, leaving at least 1” between each roll.
10. second rise: Cover with a tea towel or a light film of plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes until doubled.
11. Preheat oven to 425°F and place oven racks on the lowest and middle positions.
12. poaching: In a large saucepan, bring 2 quarts of water to a low boil.
13. Add the baking soda and lower heat to a simmer.
14. Carefully slip the rolls into the poaching liquid, seam side down.
15. Poach for 30 seconds then carefully turn the roll over in the liquid.
16. Poach other side for 30 seconds then remove with a spider or slotted spoon to the same prepared sheet pans, seam side down.
17. Repeat with the remaining rolls, leaving at least 1” between rolls for baking.
18. glaze: With a pastry brush, glaze each roll completely with the lightly beaten egg making sure to coat all sides completely.
19. Top each roll with a sprinkle of pretzel salt.
20. With a sharp straight edged knife, cut a slash or “X” in the top of each roll.
21. bake: Bake the rolls for 15-20 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through baking – top to bottom, front to back – for even browning.
22. Cool completely (try to resist snatching one or two while warm.  I double dog dare you.)
23. Rolls are best eaten on day of baking (most especially when warm with a little butter) but they store pretty well in the freezer, tightly wrapped.  Reheat in a damp paper towel for 30 seconds in the microwave.

 Ok, I know it looks like a ton of steps! Trust me, you want to make these!