THE best bread recipe

I have this friend. Her name is Katie. She makes the best bread I have ever tasted. I don’t know if it’s just girls that love bread so much or if there are actually guys out there that drool at the thought as well, but when she tells me and my small group girls that she’s making this bread, we all start salivating. It’s ridiculous.

I started craving The Bread the other day, (that’s what we call it. The Bread) so Katie and I decided to make it and document it as well so that no one has to live without this bread any longer. I know I’m talking it up quite a bit. You might be skeptical. But I think most of you know about my love for Red Lobster biscuits. Well, this bread is better than those biscuits. (Agh, I feel like I’m having an affair with The Bread!) For real, make this and you’ll agree.

THE BREAD

What you’ll need:

2 cups hot water
2 Tbls dry active yeast
1/3 cup sugar
2 tsp salt
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp oregano
4-5 cups flour (but probably more like 6)

Mix the first 7 ingredients together

Then add 2 cups of flour and mix well for about 2 minutes.

It should resemble something like that.

Slowly add the rest of the flour a cup at a time. A spoon will work for a while but then you gotta get your hands in there.

Put the dough on a floured surface (or floured bowl) and knead it until the bread is no longer sticky. (You can decide if it needs more flour as you are kneading)

Once it’s kneaded, not sticky and looks like a ball, place it in a well oiled bowl and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour.

Once it’s risen for an hour, split the dough in half. Separate each half into 3 small balls.

Form the balls into a long, thin ropes. Then braid them on a well oiled cookie sheet.

Once you get to the bottom, tuck each end in. Your 2 halves should end up looking like this:

Let it rise like this for 30 minutes before baking. Then bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes. Remove from the oven and baste with butter. EAT IMMEDIATELY. I say this because it’s the truth. This bread tastes the best when it’s a little gooey inside and very, very warm.

See? Perfection. I just can’t describe this to you or even just convince you by the pictures. You have to bake it and try it for yourself! Or I’ll make it and tell you to come over and eat it. I think it’s the oregano that does me in. It’s just perfect.

The Bread Recipe

2 cups hot water
2 Tbls dry active yeast
1/3 cup sugar
2 tsp salt
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp oregano
4-5 cups flour (but probably more like 6)

Mix first seven ingredients together, plus two cups of flour.  Mix well for two minutes.  Then slowly add in the remaining flour until dough forms a ball.  Put out on floured surface and knead in more flour until dough is no longer sticky.

Place in an oiled bowl to rise for 1 hour.  Split dough into halves.  Separate each half into three small balls.  Make each small ball into a thin rope.  Then place on a greased cookie sheet and braid the three strands together.

Let rise for 30 minutes.

Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes.

Concerts :: The Civil Wars

Back in July Nick and I went to see The Swell Season in concert at First Avenue. They were fantastic. At the end of my recap post I mentioned that we were going to see The Civil Wars that August. We never did end up going (and I’m not sure why). But we went with a ton of friends Monday night at Bryant Lake Bowl and oh my word…

Breathtaking

I think that might be the best word to describe that concert.  I’ve been to concerts and they were okay. This one was outstanding. First of all, Bryant Lake Bowl Theater was such a nice, homey place for a concert. They served food, we got to sit, and every seat was an amazing. You just couldn’t go wrong! By the time the show started I was full, relaxed, and ready to enjoy some lovely music.

Their opener was White Dress. She was good and we all enjoyed listening to her. However, I think it’s safe to say we were ALL itching for The Civil Wars to play! We were not disappointed. They were delightful to your ears and mesmerizing to watch. They had us laughing and I even came close to tears several times. Their harmony is so good!

At the end of the concert, Nick showed me a piece of paper that our friend Ashley had snagged from off the stage. It was The Civil Wars’ song set for the evening.

Why yes. Yes that is our names. Nick had contacted them and asked if they would dedicate a song to me that evening. He told them about our molar pregnancy and our failed adoption and how that would mean a lot to him (and myself!) if they could do it. Unfortunately, they both forgot or weren’t able to fit it in. We met them afterward and Joy Williams apologized for not dedicating it publicly. She told me that during the song however, she was dedicating it to me herself and to know that I was not alone in this. Not at all. Seriously, I almost cried. Kindness does that to me. It was so awesome of them. Here are the lyrics to the song they picked to dedicate to us.

C’est La Mort

Joy Williams and John Paul White

Swan dive down eleven stories high
Hold your breath until you see the light
You can sink to the bottom of the sea
Just don’t go without me

Go get lost where no one can be found
Drink so long and deep until you drown
Say your goodbyes but darling if you please
Don’t go without me

C’est la vie
C’est la mort
You and me
Forevermore

Let’s walk down the road that has no end
Steal away where only angels tread
Heaven or hell or somewhere in between
Cross your heart to take me when you leave
Don’t go, please don’t go
Don’t go without me

Ashley was way to kind and actually gave us the original piece of paper. We’ve decided to frame it and hang it in our room. Nick made my night by doing all that for me. <3

I wish we could go to another concert…and soon! I will be going to Bryant Lake Bowl for more concerts though. I loved it. Here’s one more song from the evening. Nick recorded it on his phone and it came out really well.  This is one of their most popular songs. It’s very beautiful.

Poison & Wine

Now go buy their cd! Or you can download their free album here.

Up Close & Personal

WARNING: Girly post ahead. DISCLAIMER: This does not often happen.

So my friend, Crystal Bowers inspired me to write this post when I saw her do that same thing over on her blog. I thought it would be super fun! So here are some of my favorite bathroom products that I use almost every day.

#1 Mane & Tail Shampoo

Yes, it IS horse shampoo. (I can hear your laughter through screen, you guys) You have no idea how effective this stuff is! When I want my hair to grow longer, I use this stuff (as well as the conditioner). It keeps the ends of my hair healthier so they are less likely to break and split, therefore allowing my hair to grow “faster.” I get mine from Cub and it lasts a super long time. It’s also VERY CHEAP. (You’re thinking about it now, huh?)

#2 Sensitive Skin Shave Gel and #3 Nick’s Gillette Razor

I have super sensitive skin so basically anything that is for my skin type, works. However, I like this smell and the color. Heh. As for my razor, it has to be this one. I’ve tried countless times to use my own and the outcome just isn’t the same. It’s super sad when Nick goes away and takes this with him.

#4 Biolage Smoothing Gel

Someone gave this stuff to me a long time ago and I L.O.V.E it! I usually only use it on special occasions, when I want my straight hair to turn out really well. Plus, it makes my hands really soft afterward. Bonus!

#5 Fructis Spray Gel and #6 phomollient

It’s a toss-up between these two. The spray gel I have used for about 7 years or so. I love it. Until recently it was all I used. Then the lovely Katie Steller Schultz (my hairstylist and friend) introduced me to phomollient. It does to my hair what the spray gel does without making my hair feel crunchy and also gives it an amazing just-out-of-the-salon smell. So, I use the phomollient for special occasions, til I run out, then hopefully I’ll buy a bigger bottle next time.

#7 Pond’s Dry Skin Cream

I bought this right after I got married and didn’t use it hardly at all until this winter. My face has gotten some random dry patches lately so I tried this on them. It feels and smells wonderful. Also helpful to put on right before my makeup to smooth things out.

#8 bareMinerals Light Foundation and brush

My best friend, Bekah, made me use this one time and I never stopped. It is seriously the best thing that has ever happened to my face! It doesn’t make my skin greasy or break out. It also comes off very easily. There’s an art to putting it on correctly with the brush but that’s super simple to learn. The foundation lasts me for a very long time so it’s definitely worth the price. I’ve never had to replace my brush.

I used to have a favorite eyeliner but the company stopped selling it in stores and now I can’t remember the exact name of it to find it online. The eyeliner I have now is crap and I want to run over it with my car. Unfortunately it cost me $6 so I can’t do that. I’ll let you know if I do it though. It might happen accidentally or something, cuz I’m always walking around with it in my hand, you know.

 

HaHa, Tee Hee, Pahaha

I need a daily does of laughter once, twice, several times a day. A lot of it I get from my own stupidity (or Drew’s lol) but what I look forward to the most is Cake Wrecks. I’m tellin’ ya, it’s the bomb.

Please go…just go look at it! I’ll be there too :)

p.s. not always kid friendly

UP!!

Doug Wolter praises the Pixar/Disney movie UP with 4 reasons.

I myself loved the movie. Nick and I were amazed at the story line and as well as all the others Pixar has made. Go see it!

Oh by the way, the mini-movie at the beginning of UP is hilarious!

HT: JT

Pandora

I recently discovered this online radio website called Pandora Radio. Its really cool! I’ve been kinda addicted since I found it :) Especially with the Christmas music! Check it out and see how you like it!

My Hubby!

Alright everyone, my husband, Nick, has a blog and he would LOVE for you all to check it out. It’s called SPREAD. I hope you all enjoy it. He’s much smarter and clever than I am. :) Have fun! Love you Nicolas!

*UPDATE!*

Nick had to change his blog so here is his new one! Sorry to lead you all astray!