It's warm here - mid 70's. We're having a storm too. It's windy and rainy. This is quite a switch from Tuesday being in the 30's!

I'm cleaning and doing some organizing today. Trying to get the laundry caught up too. Tonight we're going out with friends, so looking forward to that.

Terri - you make your own English muffins? I've seen several recipes, but am not sure which to use. Would you share yours?

The sun is out and it's currently 68 and going up. I have been shut in so long with this being sick I have cabin fever so today I want to go outside, go somewhere, go out for dinner.

I cooked boudin and fried eggs for brunch so I am ready to go.

Yes, I do make my own..every two weeks. :)

English Muffins

1 cup of warm milk
1/4 cup warm water
1/2 T of sweetener (I use honey.)
Mix...
2 1/4 t yeast or one packet
Let set till foamy.
Dump in 1 t salt, 2T soft butter, 3 c flour and a good pinch of baking powder(1/8t). Mix until the dough pulls from the sides. Then mix or knead a few minutes more. I try not to handle it a whole lot. I like it a bit softer than "typical" bread dough..almost a touch sticky.

Cover and let rise until double. Punch down, cut off hunks, shape into flat rounds, and press a bit into fine cornmeal. Let rise about 15 minutes once all made. (You should have 15-16 "muffins".)

Heat a large lidded skillet to just under medium. (I choose non-stick.)
When the pan is heated, put how ever many will fit with room to grow. (14" pan holds 4)
Cover and cook 4 min. Flip and 4 more. Watch the first batch though, you want golden brown. So whatever temp and time gets you that.

Let cool on a wire rack.

I store half in a used bread bag in the freezer, with most of the air out.

They will last about 5 days in a "warm" cupboard..longer in a cooler space.

Mine are about an inch tall..if you want taller, make them a bit thicker and you'll get less too..probably have to adjust the temp and cooking time as well.

Terri, thanks for sharing your recipe! I might have to try it, or better yet, get the "kids" to! (They are 26 and 30)

We got up late today. DH is now tearing the rear brakes on my Expedition apart to put new ones on. Praying that it goes with no problems. I have spent the last 2+ hours printing my beading patterns. I panicked because I thought I couldn't find some patterns I had paid for and had saved to the computer, rather than having them mailed to me. So, now that I found them, they are also printed, and will be saved to a flash drive also. Got a couple more I want to buy today before I do that though.

I thought about making a pound cake, but we will see. I really need to be in the mood to bake.

I NEED to work on the blanket I am knitting for my soon, very soon, to be grand daughter. She will be here on the 24th. Unless she decides to be good and turn herself bottoms up. She is currently sitting on mommy's hip bone. Due date is the 31, but as long as she stays there the dr. won't let DD go into labor.

But, I really want to bead some more!

Tami

Just in from doing this and that!

So glad I got THAT in! The gym! Been a slacker lately, even more so with the machines, and I used 3 new machines, today, with the guidance of a good looking trainer!

Therapy twice a week for my shoulder and neck, and I glad I did some lower body work today!

Wonderful lunch, but bad for the body! Tony's for their delicious blt on wheat.

Robbie, my robot vacuumed while I was gone and floor looks nice and clean!

Robbie is a keeper!

It has warmed up here, into the 20s. No sun. Tonight I will be attending the ISU-OK State women's basketball game with my friends. I sure hope we win. Our men lost earlier today to OK.

I had planned to work around here today, but my plans changed. I had not been out for over a week and Cheryl had not been out here, so she said she was going to try and come out and I could go with her back into town as she had some shopping to do. I did go and let her do my shopping too. We picked up lunch from McDonald's after taking her groceries home. We ate here and then I asked if she would like for me to mix up some of the No Fry Doughnuts for her to take home. I mixed them up and let them raise in the bread machine and then I cut them out and put them on the baking sheet, buttered the tops and covered them with foil. She took them home to raise and bake. So I did not do much but that is okay, I am kind of tired and aching today. My driveway is not too good but the roads are pretty clear. Had rain while we were out and about, a little cooler out this evening.

Sue in Central Indiana

I'm in the same storm you are Terri, but it may be letting up a little now.

Wind, rain, and for a while this morning, thunder and lightening very close, the thunder was really crashing. It doesn't bother me but DH doesn't like it much. He'd gone to coffee and was taking some things to the PO for me, had a feeling he'd come scurrying back and he did - the power was out downtown anyway but not ours. The weather service is reporting gusts to 63 locally.

Nervous, he put on raingear and went out and picked up branches from the yard and drive. Makes sense don't you think? If a storm is making you uncomfortable, go out into it.

I lit the gas fireplace and now he's settled down to the Seahawks game so quiet and cozy around here ;) And I think I'll do some paperwork management, shredding at my end of the house. I'd had him mail 4th quarter reports, checks when he was out so I'm caught up with the bookkeeping for the next several weeks.

I think maybe Mexican food later. Restaurant that we like, I'm not cooking today.

It's been in the 40's today. Most of the snow has melted. We've had a little rain, but not what we expected, thankfully, and windy, but not bad. I'm caught up with printing my patterns. I still haven't figured out what's for dinner. DH is still trying to work on the brakes. He had to go buy metric allen wrenches so it's on hold for a bit. He's done more running in and out, and up and down for tools than he has actual work on the brakes. Poor guy.

Tami

Warm here and sunny, but, spent the day finally putting away all of the Christmas stuff and cleaning. Watching football now and drinking champagne!

The sun has been out again for a hour or so...still gusty..dark mean gray clouds all around..blue over my head though. ;)

What is the point in picking up branches any way..it's not over yet..lol...
Supposed to be this way through the weekend..

My hubby is watching College Hoops...no Seachickens on here..his "State" boys are playing NC State that is. He's tried and true Steelers fan so he could really care less about the NFL now that his boys are on vacation..

Tami, sorry to hear his task is more fetch then finish..lol...

I just finished a snack of sweet potato chips and sugar snap peas dipping in homemeade ranch.

I wanted a cup of coffee..but my maker died after the morning pot...:(
So green tea it is...

Still not much else has happened from the kitchen..once the muffins were done.

DH and I made a trip to Lowes, bought Zinzers BIN to paint over one room in our house with wood paneling (straight from the mid 60's). Tomorrow we will move everything out of the "office" and wash/wipe down the walls.

Tonight, the Colts are playing the Pat's......go COLTS!

Sid

Side one is finished side 2 in progress. I don't want to jinx him but once DH got the last tool he needed it has gone quickly. He hasn't even needed to change the rotors! Left over chili for supper.

Sid, I look forward to hearing how that project works.
We are in the process of looking at "new" house options..and a lot that is for sale in our range is 60 and 70...era. Still with paneling, lots of brick and even smokey mirror walls..lol...

The buying budget won't have a ton of remodel dollars available..,so am collecting ideas on how to "fix" things with minimal $$.

Clouds moved over and pouring now..

Brightening back up a touch..but still pouring..

I put some left over ribs in the oven for the Mr. to munch on.

This post was edited by terri_pacnw on Sat, Jan 11, 14 at 18:19