Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Man cannot live by bread alone...


...but with these rolls, you might consider it! :D I just finished up another double batch of Honey Oat cloverleaf rolls, my favorite rolls! This bread dough recipe makes enough to have 1 dozen to eat & 1 dozen to freeze. It's from The Bread Machine Cookbook series of books (Nitty Gritty Publications), although I forget which one. (I think it's the very first one.) Anyways, I make the 2 lb. loaf in my bread machine on the dough setting, and then shape them into these.
Here's what you need for the 2 lb. recipe for Honey Oat Bread:
1 1/2 Cups water
2 Tablespoons oil
1/3 Cup honey
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 Cups oats
3 1/2 Cups bread flour
2 1/2 teaspoons yeast
I put it all in the bread machine in that order, and I choose the dough setting. Then, when that's done, I'm ready to shape rolls! You can expect to need two 12 count muffin/cupcake pans for this. I divide the dough in half, then start pinching off bits of dough that are just slightly smaller than ping-pong ball shape. Roll it into a nice ball, and add it to a muffin cup. Put three of these in each muffin cup.
I also prefer to double-baste them with butter. One basting goes on before they cook, while they are rising, to promote browning. Then, as soon as they are out of the oven I'll baste them with butter again, which adds more flavor and keeps the crust softer. (Yeah, the butter's not so healthy, but it's good. It *might* work with something like Smart Balance Spread, as long as you're using one with a high oil content.) I've been cooking them in a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes. They may not be the prettiest rolls on the planet, but man, are they tasty!

Monday, July 21, 2008

The Mole: We're down to 4!

Well, either I got the text clue correct, or I'm lucky with that 1 in 5 chance. :) But I really, really had a feeling I was going to be right when the show started to milk Nicole's comments about throwing the game & going home. And when Jon (love ya, Jon!) said there was a tie, I figured that was the big "shocker" that was mentioned on the Behind-the-Scenes blog. (The shocker being that she doesn't go home like you would expect after all that talk.)

I'll go ahead & make my prediction for who goes home next week: Paul. This is just based on some web readings. Plus, the preview for next week showed Mark & Nicole reacting (or in Mark's case, not really reacting) over the next execution. I can envision Nicole reacting that way about Paul.

One week to go to find out, though! LOL!

Mole thoughts, and a reminder...

It's Monday! That means...another episode of The Mole! :) Mark is still around, although after last week's run on the treadmill, it's hard to say if it was done to throw off Mole-y suspicion, or if it was genuine. I don't have a good theory at this point, so I'll stick with Mark.

And I'll make another prediction. (What the heck? We'll all have a good laugh if I'm wrong. :) ) Supposedly the text clue for tonight's ep is EP 1245. Most people are speculating that the number "3" is missing in that sequence. And usually these text clues point to whoever is going home on that episode. I've looked at some thumbnails of screen shots of tonights show, and Clay (and his wife) are sitting in the number 3 spot. So, I'll guess Clay is leaving. We'll know for sure around 10:55 Eastern!

The reminder: Friday is the last day of the Christmas in July event. All my Xmas stuff at Digitals is 50% off through then, plus there's a non-Xmas related Product of the Day that's 50% off each day. (Today it's the Neutrality paper pack, which will give you 16 "go-with-anything" papers for $1.75!) And we're on day 8 of the Christmas quickpage givaway. Check out my Seebee's Freebies Blogspot for that.

I also got up a new product in the store over the weekend: it's the Fairyland brush set, for Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. It's a fun way to add some "pixie dust" to your layouts. :)

That's all for now!

Monday, July 14, 2008

Who is The Mole?

With the second half of the season beginning tonight, and a recap show about to start in 20 minutes, I figure it's as good a time as any to proclaim my love for The Mole. :) I normally abhor reality tv, like Survivor or Big Brother, but The Mole is more like a mystery, and not a popularity contest like the others. I started watching around the middle of the first season thanks to a friend's recommendation, and it wasn't long before I was hooked. Seriously, if you haven't watched before, give it a try; they could use the ratings & I really would like to see it return next year. (It's even given me a reason to look forward to Mondays! LOL!)

And if you want my current opinion on who The Mole is, I'm choosing Mark. (Now, watch him get executed tonight!)

Christmas is now in July, you know. :)

Today is the kickoff of Digitals' Christmas in July sale! All of my Christmas themed products are 50% off, plus I'll have one other non-Xmas related product on sale each day for 50% off. (Today is the Country Sweetheart kit.) Here's the official sale information with participating designers:


The following Digitals designers have part or all of our designs on sale July 14-25 so you can do some Christmas in July shopping for yourself! Click on each name to go to that designer's products.

Alessandra Designs 20% off entire store!

Alisha Hess
Amanda Thorderson 15-75% off everything, 35% off Christmas designs
Beth Rimmer
Chris Beasley
Christine Smith
Dea Spina My entire store is on sale, up to 70% off!
DeDe Smith
Diana Burton 30% off entire store.
Elka Romero 25% off entire store!
Georgia Oliver My entire store is on sale for 25% off.
Glenda Ketcham EVERYTHING in my store is on sale for 25% off. Don't forget to get your Christmas gift from me. You can find the clue here. Also jump on my blog for some wonderful free downloads.
Hybrid Physical Albums 12% off everything including Cosmo Cricket, Basic Grey, 7 Gypsies and More!Jennifer Maceyunas All of my Christmas themed items are 30% off July 14th thru midnight, MOUNTAIN time on July 19th! And don't forget to check out my blog after NOON, EASTERN time each day to download my Jack Album created with my Christmas Glow Kit.
Joyce de Jonge
Juliana Gordon
Katey Green 22% and 40% off. Some items will be further discounted upto 60% for odd days.....so keep checking back .......as new items are going to be included!
Kathryn Estry 50% off Christmas items!
Katie Mann 25% off entire store!
Lifesong Kreations Hey folks my Christmas stuff is on sale for 50% off I have a remake of my Christmas Hope and the Family Traditions series. All other items are 30% off.
Lynne Simmons 25% off entire store!
Maddy Fernandez
Nini's Notions 25% off entire store!
Sarah Meyer
Scrap4Brains My ENTIRE STORE is on sale for 30% off!
Shawn Walter All Kits, Albums and Templates are on sale 30% off! And while you are visiting my store, don't forget to look for your gift (the clue is here). And then stop by my blog for daily freebies July 14-25th.
Silvia Romeo 30% off Christmas products!
Sophia Davies Everything in my store is 35% off! You may find some extra savings if you find my hidden Christmas present!
Spellweaver 35% off entire store!
Stacey Mann 25% off everything, even my brand new kit!
Tallula Moon Designs 50% off entire store through July 19.
Twisted Sisters 25% off everything!
Wendy Page Enjoy 25% off everything in my store, CU included!

And, if you didn't already see it, pop over to Seebee's Freebies Blogspot to pick up my freebie each day of this event. When the event is over, you'd have an entire album's worth of Christmas themed quickpages for the Cosmo Cricket "Jack" album.

Merry Christmas!