Experiments in bread and a Happy Birthday Party

For some reason, this week, I got an urge to make fresh bread. I don't know why. We don't even really eat all that much bread. Regardless, I picked up some yeast and unbleached flour, found a recipe that sounded good and set to work.

It wasn't bad. At all. For some reason, I had built bread making into some ridiculously insurmountable challenge in my head and I was wrong. A few minutes of letting the yeast activate, a few minutes of mixing and kneading the ingredients, and then a long break while the dough rises. Then another few minutes of kneading, shaping and a break. And then bam, into the oven.

I got a few rolls and a couple of baguettes out of the deal. Easy peasy. I think I'm going to take on ciabatta for DH next week.



On Sunday, we were invited to a very special joint 1st and 3rd birthday parties for our neighbors, J and J at the neighborhood pool. It was so cute watching all the little kiddies splash around.

I thought the background make this photo look like a postcard.



Little H from across the street. She swims like a fish.



RAWR! Football!



Playing and splashing.



Hmmm. I seem to be wet.



J & J, blowing out their candles.



Worn out from a busy day and a crushing Jags loss: my two best boys.