First Attempt at Breadmaking

Okay, let me start by saying that I have a breadmaker. I love my breadmaker. It makes wonderful bread that I consider "homemade". But, I have always wanted to be a "real" baker, and learn how to make bread. I got a recipe from my friend's blog for fluffy wheat bread, and it sounded really good, so I thought I would try it. I had a few technical difficulties during the mixing process, and accidentally dropped the cup of flour into the mixer while it was going. (There's a reason why I have a breadmaker!) There was messy, gooey flour goop all over my kitchen! But I persevered! I was determined to bake bread!
I followed the directions to the letter, (well, almost) and this is how it came out! Lumpy! I was so disappointed in myself, but I was glad that I at least made the attempt!
3 loaves of lumpy, fluffy whole wheat bread!
Devin was the guinea pig. I took pictures to get his reaction.



So, even though Devin jokingly made a face when he tasted it, the bread did taste really good. It was fluffy, but just lumpy on top! I'm still not sure what I did wrong -- let it rise too much, or maybe not enough. But I will try again, and maybe next time it will be just perfect!
p.s. Any pointers from you wonderful bakers out there would be welcomed and greatly appreciated!

Splish Splash...

Molly loves to take a bath! She looks so tiny and frail when she is soaking wet, it is hilarious!
She loves the warm water and tries to drink it as it is coming out of the tap!
Time to get out and dry off. I should have taken pictures of us blow drying her but I forgot. She doesn't like that as much, and tries to bite the warm air that is blasting at her. But she is learning what all of us girls know -- looking beautiful is hard work!

First Haircut

Molly got her first "puppy cut" today! I was so excited to be able to see her eyes again, she was getting really shaggy. I'm sure she is happy she can see where she is going now!

The groomer put pink bows on her. How cute is that? She came home and immediately wanted to play with her toys, a pink bunny and her balls.

What a pretty girl! Good job on doing so great on your very first of a lifetime of trims, Molly!

Birthday Boy

For Devin's birthday, he wanted to go to the Auto Show that was held in the South Town Expo center in Salt Lake.


It was fun having everyone home for the weekend to help celebrate. Michael's girlfriend, Corrine, also joined us. We had an awesome time!
I still can't face the reality that my baby is 14 YEARS OLD! Man, that must mean that I am getting old too! Jaron wanted to know what animal we would get to replace Devin when he leaves home -- I guess he thinks that is kind of what we did with Lilu when Michael left and Molly when he left. I hadn't thought of it that way, but I guess it's sort of true. I just love being a mom and having someone to take care of is what I do! I love it! I have a few more years to think about it, but maybe a Russian Blue cat will join our family when Devin leaves me. I have always wanted one, and I'm sure my mothering instincts will still be in full force then!