Honey Whole Wheat Bread

Ingredients:

2 envelopes yeast
4 cups water
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup molasses
1/2 cup honey
2 tsp. salt
6 cups whole wheat flour
4 cups white flour

Directions:

1. dissolve yeast in warm water
2. combine butter, molasses, honey, and salt
3. add yeast mixture, gradually add flours(just enough flour for dough to leave sides of bowl and is easy to handle)
4. knead on floured surface until smooth
5. put dough in buttered bowl, let rise until it has doubled in size
6. punch down, let rise a few minutes
7. divide into 4 parts, shape into loaves
8. place in greased pans, let rise an hour
9. bake at 375 degrees for 35-40 minutes

*note-the bread is done when it is lightly browned on top and when tapped it sounds hollow.

WW info- each loaf is 39 points plus

We LOVE this bread. It does take some time, but it is well worth it. Try it, you will be glad you did.

Bread

I have made the decision to make bread instead of buying it from now on. So, I have been trying to find THE recipe that works for my family the best. I have tried 2 so far and wouldn't you know it, it is the more time consuming recipe that everyone likes better(including me). I guess I am alright with it because the one we like makes 4 loaves instead of only 2. We have already breezed through about 2 1/2 loaves this week. I have been pretty happy with it though because ALL the kids have been finishing their sandwiches(even David).

So, if you have a recipe that you like/swear by please share. Keep in mind I don't have a mixer strong enough to handle it OR a bread machine, so it will all be done by hand.

*note: I really like making it by hand. The process is therapeutic.

These pictures are of the Honey Wheat bread that we all enjoy. The girls helped me make it and are pretty proud of themselves(as they should be). It was fun!

Summer fun at the Holloways

I walked into the kids room the other day and found the baby toy box was emptied and the babies were all "dolled" up. We have been talking baby a lot around here and I think the girls are ready for another girl to dress up and play with. What do you think?

Several days this week the kids have wanted to play in the sprinkler. Not really a big shock because it is so ridiculously hot outside. However, the request is made around 8:00 in the morning. So, these pictures were 8:30 or 9:00 in the morning. Welcome to Texas summers!

Sunday evening treats

Growing up, Jason's family AND my family had popcorn with a family movie. We have carried that tradition on in our house as well. Another thing that isn't quite as frequent, but just as much a part of Sundays for us is making cookies. We only do one batch so it doesn't last long. I mean a couple of days at the most. I like this tradition a great deal because it has become something that Jason does with the kids. They love to help put everything in and of course taste it in the process.

David was running around TRYING to be patient for the cookies to be done.

Now that everything is ready we can sit down and watch a movie, while partaking in the yummy treats.

Ingredients for a Happy Sunday!

Harvesting

We planted our first "real" garden this year and have been having such a good time watching it grow and enjoying the harvest.

We planted:

Potatoes

Carrots

Tomatoes

Cayenne

Crook-neck squash

Lettuce

We have had several salads from our garden, many squash(too many if you ask Jason), oodles of tomatoes, bunches of cayenne, and potatoes and carrots.

We are about to plant some cucumber and pumpkin for our fall garden and next year we are doubling the size of the garden. I have a great time with it!

Our lovely carrots which were used to enhance our delicious roast this past Sunday. We also had a plethora of potatoes, I just didn't get a picture of them.

We planted tomatoes and Cayenne peppers this year for the precise reason of canning our own salsa. We have been harvesting tomatoes for a couple of months now, and will continue for at least another month. We have several containers of homemade salsa, and also made some homemade tomato sauce for our food storage. It really is pretty exciting to see all of it in the cabinet.

Another project I am undertaking.

Our Branch President and his wife gave us this patio furniture and we LOVE it. They are so very comfortable, but weren't very pretty. So, I decided to make it more attractive.

What do you think?

This has a glass top.

It is a set of 4 chairs and that table. I have not quite finished and will wait until the temperatures are more reasonable to get it done. We are currently under construction in the back(and the 100+ temps) so we don't spend a whole lot of time out there right now anyway.

Birthday Fun!

Our big 4-year old, Jessica Faith.

On June 11 we had a little birthday party for Jessica at Dad's house. We had friends, family, food, and fun. Thank you to everyone who came and made the experience perfect. We love you all!

Pinkalicious cupcakes!

Presents!

Swimsuits, sprinkler, and girls to play with. Could anything be more fun?

Well, maybe dancing in the water adds the final touch.

She has such a contagious smile.

And such a fun personality!

Don't you just want to squeeze her? I am so blessed that I get to hug and kiss on this little girl(who is starting to look less like a little girl) everyday!

HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY, JESSICA!

Kindergarten Graduation

It is hard to believe, but Cailyn graduated from Kindergarten this year. She is such a good little student. We couldn't be prouder of her.

Jessica, David and I got there early enough to get good seats. However, that means that we didn't make it through the entire ceremony. We watched Cailyn's class go up on stage to receive their individual awards(one of Cailyn's being independent reader for the Accelerated Reading program), then David let me know in his oh-so-subtle ways that it was time to leave. We missed the kindergarten song they had prepared for the end of the ceremony(BIG frowns). 2 days later the kids and I went to Cailyn's class for them to perform it for us. They were so cute!

Walking in, excitedly nervous.

Walking in to her spot on the stage. That is her adorable principal. I REALLY like her!

Can you see how interested she is at this point. I love how kids can get away with showing their boredom. Graduations always make me feel this way. Anyone else?

Cailyn, we are so proud of you and know that you will continue to learn new things because you LOVE learning. WE LOVE YOU!