Gasping for Air

Sometimes life seems like just a constant battle to keep afloat. My great hope when I began this blog was to blog daily....or at least more often than I have been. However life "gets in the way" and I'm reminded that I shouldn't let some things (like blogging) get in the way of life. I thought I'd take two minutes to share what's been happening around here this week. And then I have to return to life as we have a big to-do list for today.


My post on the Warrior Day Obstacle Course

Isaiah, aka "The Boy", has now officially entered the ranks of Middle School, which means he is now in our churches Student Ministries. Student Ministries kick off event for summer fun was Warrior Day. After feasting on hot dogs and worshipping with song the students competed in a muddy obstacle course. The race began with a slip and slide and a run down a path to their first obstacle. This is where I was positioned to cheer them on and guide (verbally) them to the to the bell across the creek. These kids got muddy from head to toe.



This picture reminds me to clean the van.



Yesterday I experimented with baking bread outside. My oven's heating element went out so I have been without an oven for two weeks. My husband is a great "fixer" which means my old oven will be saved from the landfill. I am so thankful to be blessed with a man who not only saves me money but helps me "recycle". Although I'd love a shiny new stove, my outdated (70's yellow) one will keep on ticking because of my handy hubby.

I decided to experiment with my cooking methods. I put one loaf in my gas grill and I baked the other in a dutch oven in my fire pit. Of course I read that more coals should be on the top of the dutch oven than the bottom but I didn't think that was quite right. (I've never been good about following directions.) So I burnt the bottom of my D.O. bread. Oh well, I cut off the bottom and the kids and I enjoyed it with homemade jam. I REALLY liked this bread recipe which came from "Log Cabin Dutch Oven".

Nevada Bread
Heat until butter is melted:
3 cups water
1/2 cup of sugar (I used 1/4 c. honey instead)
1/2 cup of butter (I used coconut oil)
2 t. salt
Stir and cool to 115 degrees.
Add 4 t. yeast
Let fester for 10-15 minutes.
Add 9 1/2 cups flour (I used whole wheat)

Knead. Put in greased bowl to rise for 1 1/2 hours. Punch down and kneed. Split in two. Knead and shape. Bake for 30 - 45 minutes.

Now I need to wake The Boy. We are off to a craft sale, Gander Mountain for camping supplies for The Boy (he leaves for Scout camp tomorrow), pick up a license for The Boy's kayak, Father's Day shopping and pick up a few groceries for our Father's Day dinner (I may just make something in the Dutch Oven)!

Have a lovely weekend of LIVING!