What's Your Dream?

What’s your dream? Your passion? My sister and I were having a conversation about this last night, and it got me thinking about the role dreams play in our lives. Some people talk about the importance of goals in life, which by many accounts are very similar to dreams. What is the difference? Goals might be attached to a dream, but they are not necessarily so. Goals might be stepping stones toward realizing our dream, but they could also be relatively lifeless, leading us in a direction that does not ultimately bring fulfillment or happiness. I think dreams come from a deeper place; they are more organic in nature. I wholeheartedly feel that if you follow your dreams, life has more meaning—it is more fulfilling, rewarding, and fun.

I have lived many of my dreams over the years: I have a wonderful, loving husband and family, comfortable home and rewarding career. One passion that has particularly driven me throughout my life, is the desire to create. I have used that creative itch in a variety of ways, designing and sewing clothing, decorating my home, working on our landscaping, cooking and baking—even designing lessons and classes. Yet that childhood dream of being an artist--a painter more precisely--  always hung on, looming on the horizon.

My daughter Kate's wedding gown 

Several years ago, while walking past a gallery in Lake Geneva, I told my daughter about my childhood dream of being an artist and of my desire to paint someday.  That Christmas, my children gave me paints, brushes, canvas and a book on oil painting. Over the past several years, I’ve been slowly pursuing that dream, and loving every minute of it. I do not think my amazing children realize what a wonderful gift they gave me that year. Thanks again kiddos!

My first oil-Jen's wedding bouquet

Life is busy. It is full of demands and challenges.   It is also short. Too often, we let our dreams hang out on the horizon for someday, robbing ourselves of the opportunity to realize our fullest potential. And why? It’s not the right time? It’s too much work? Time to get our priorities straight. Our dreams are the most deserving recipient of our energy and time. Help someone realize their dream, and help yourself realize your own.  Embrace all the good stuff in life. Find your dream, make a plan, and just do it!

The following are a few acrylics that I painted this year.

Biking in Vilas County

New Zealand Romance

Nature 

Best Ever Pumpkin Bread

Fall is here!

I love this time of year--changing leaves, crisp mornings and pumpkins!

Oatmeal, cheesecake, muffins,  pies and bread are all a bit more nutritious when made with pumpkin.  It is loaded with vitamin A, low in calories, and high in fiber and antioxidants. Of course it is the most nutritious when roasted with other vegetables or as an ingredient in soups or smoothies, but as a seasonal treat you can't beat a slice of pumpkin bread.

This is a easy quick bread that I'm sure will become one of your favorites too!

Pumpkin Bread with Walnuts

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked pumpkin
1/2 cup water
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs, beaten

1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 2/3 cup flour

1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

1. In a large bowl stir together the sugar, pumpkin, water and eggs until well combined.

2. Sift together baking soda, powder, salt, spices, and flour.

3. Add dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and still just until all the flour is combined.

4.  Stir in the oil and nuts.

5.  Pour into an ungreased bread pan and bake at 325 degrees F, for  about 1 1/2 hours. To test for doneness, place a  toothpick in the middle of bread--when removed it should come out clean.

6. Cool for 15 minutes, remove from pan and cool completely on a cooling rack.
Slice and enjoy!!!

Avocados--Guacamole!

March Madness is in full swing, and as the college basketball games roll on so does game time snacking. So let's make it nutritious! 

As a dip, tucked in a wrap, or slathered on a burger, guacamole is a healthy addition to any meal or snack. 

Avocados combined with tomato, onion, lime, garlic and spices make a tasty dip, providing essential  omega 3 fatty acids and several vitamins and minerals.  Avocados are also higher in protein than other fruits and are low in sugar making it a popular addition to salads and main dishes too. I love to add a layer of avocados to my quiche and wraps.

Sriracha Chicken Wraps (party-food-line-up)

Here is my favorite guacamole recipe along with a few tips to slice and dice avocados too!

Ingredients:

3 ripe avocados
1 cup diced Roma tomatoes
1/4-1/2 cup diced onion (I use sweet Vidalia  onions)
3 T chopped fresh cilantro
1 t minced garlic 
~2 T fresh lime juice (one lime)



1 t salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (to taste)
optional
1/4-1/2 teaspoon red flaked pepper (if you like a little heat!) 


Cut and remove the pit from the avocados. With the avocado on a flat surface cut around the pit. Twist the two halves in the opposite directions and pull apart.  Hit the pit with a knife. Twist and remove.

Use the tip of a butter knife to slice lengthwise and crosswise to create cubes.  Use a spoon to scoop out the flesh.

Place the avocado in a bowl and mash.  You can mash until smooth or leave it chunkier if you'd like.

Sprinkle with lime juice, garlic, salt and pepper. Stir until well combined.
Stir in onion, tomato and cilantro.

Taste and adjust spices.

Cover with plastic wrap right on top of the guacamole. This will help stop oxidation (browning.) Refrigerate until serving.

Additional resources

http://www.livescience.com/45209-avocado-nutrition-facts.html

https://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/generic/guacamole-with-tomatoes

https://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/usda/avocados

http://www.avocadocentral.com/how-to/how-to-pick-how-to-buy-avocados

And then she was FIVE!

Fairies, butterflies, and strawberry shortcake...a special cake for a very special little girl!  It is such a blessing to be part of creating special memories for those you love.

Believe it or not, last year when I made a doll cake for her birthday, she was at first disappointed :(


She was hoping for strawberry shortcake.    

This year it was all dolls, butterflies and strawberries too!

Everyone had fun with this one!

Here is how it went together...

1.  Start with an angel food cake.

2.  Frost the cake with stiffly whipped cream.

3.  Cover with a thin layer of fondant.

Gently place fondant over cake and form to fit cake. (Wilton cake Decorating)

4. Melt white chocolate or almond bark and pipe butterflies on a piece of waxed paper.  Cool until set.

5.  Dip strawberries in melted chocolate.  You can add a little  pizzazz by drizzling white chocolate over the dark chocolate.

6. Use wooden skewers to anchor the fairies in place.


7. Cut little slits into the fondant and randomly place butterflies.






8.  Place a few strawberries on top and on the plate.

Be Creative!!!!!  Enjoy the memories!!!

Crusty Artisan Bread

 There is nothing better than a slice of  hot crusty artisan bread straight from the oven.  My favorite bakery offers a nice variety of breads, but I gulp every time I make my way to the register.  So, I decided it was time to pull out my KitchenAid and craft a loaf at a fraction of the cost. Plus by making it myself I know exactly what I'm eating. No extra preservatives or other additives--just whole grains, good fats and fiber.  

By using a mixer or food processor you can eliminate all that kneading, making  bread baking fairly quick and easy. Of course quick is a relative term. The mixing is quick--but you still need several hours for the yeast to ferment and the bread to rise.  Once the loaves hit the oven and that mouth watering smell fills your house you'll be hooked.

Ingredients:

2 to 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 to 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup oatmeal
1/4 cup ground flax and Chia seeds
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
2 cups warm water (110 degrees)
2-1/4 oz pkgs. dry active yeast
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup canola oil
1 tablespoon salt

Directions:

1. Put 1/2 cup warm (110 degree) water in a small bowl.  Add 1 teaspoon of the honey.  Sprinkle in the yeast and stir together with a fork or whisk.  Let sit until mixture start to foam--about 5 minutes.

2. In the mixer bowl add remaining 1-1/2 cup water, honey, oil, salt, oatmeal and 1 - 1/2 cup all purpose flour.  Mix until smooth. 

Add the yeast, flax and chia seeds, remaining 1 cup all purpose and 2 cups of whole grain wheat flour. Mix with the dough hook, mixing until dough comes away from sides of bowl . Add the remaining flour a little at a time if needed. The dough should form a ragged ball. This should take about 5 minutes.Slowly add the sunflower and pumpkin seed, and chopped nuts mixing until incorporated into the mixture.

Turn onto a floured surface and knead to shape into a smooth ball.  

Place the dough into a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and set in a warm place until the dough doubles in size. (1-2 hours)

Punch down dough. On a floured surfaced cut into two equal portions.  Form each into desired shape (loaf or round.) 

Place on a pan that has been sprinkled with corn meal.
Cover and allow to rise until doubles in size.


















When the dough is ready to bake slice the top 2-3 times about 1/4-1/2 inch deep with a serrated edge knife.

If desired, brush with a beaten egg and cover with additional oatmeal and seeds. (The egg glues the seed to the bread.)

Place in the middle of the oven on a baking sheet or stone.

Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for about 30 minutes.  How do you know when it's done? I like to use more than just time: the loaves should be golden brown, if you tap them on the bottom they should sound hollow and the internal temperature should read 180-190 degrees F. on an instant read thermometer.  

Have fun with this and remember--the more you do it the better you'll get at it :)  Be creative ! Add your favorite herbs or dried fruit, nuts and seeds. ENJOY!


$$$$ savings:
http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/2013/05/how-much-do-you-save-by-baking-your-own-bread-52-ways-to-save-money-on-a-healthy-diet.html

For more bread baking tips:  
http://www.breadexperience.com/bread-baking-tips.html