BBA Challenge: Cinnamon Raisin Walnut Bread

After taking what seems like a huge break, I'm back to the BBA Challenge with gusto. This week's bread was Cinnamon Raisin Walnut Bread and that is likely why it took me so long to get around to making this bread. See, I'm not a huge fan of raisins and walnuts together. Now I realize I could have just left the nuts out of the equation, but where's the fun in that? So after much hesitation, I decided to jump right in and I'm sooooo glad I did, as this bread is quite delicious and it looks fairly pretty as well.





And whilst I toiled away in the kitchen kneading this dough by hand (my Kitchen Aid is currently on strike), this following picture shows exactly what Torryn was doing. I'm not quite sure how she got the box of Cheez-its, but regardless, they were EVERYWHERE. She was a doll though and promptly displayed a sad look and decried "Oh NO!" and helped clean up.

Happy Halloween

Hope your day was as awesome as ours!

Family Photos

Taken by www.photosbylinda.net at Wind & Sea Beach in La Jolla, CA

Word of advice, when shooting on the beach on a dreary morning, don't.wear.flip flops. I had the misfortune of doing just that and ended up slipping and falling in algea and mud as we walked down the way to the beach where we'd be shooting. Thankfully, I contorted just enough that only my arse and a small portion of the back of my brand new, never worn before this morning shirt ended up covered in the sickly greenish, sandy mud.

I am so grateful the photos came out as well as they did. There are some hilarious shots of Torryn feeding me seaweed and throwing sand everywhere and some equally awesome shots of us as a family, incomplete though we may be. I really enjoyed our morning and am stoked at the shots with which we took home.

My Pumpkin Amongst The Pumpkins

Growing up, we always packed up the car and headed North to spend a few hours wandering amongst the pumpkins at Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center. There was just something so magical about seeing the farm appear amidst the trees after what seemed like an endless drive and then searching frantically for the perfect pumpkin only to forget all about the glorious orange orb when you realize there was a petting zoo, pony rides and hay maze to occupy your time. We always left exhausted, filthy and completely blissed out.

This is something I very much wanted to pass along to my children. Not just picking up some characterless pumpkin from the grocery store or heading down to the "pumpkin patch" they set up on that abandoned lot down the road... So every year, the kids and I pack up and head North to the Nut Farm for a day in the fresh air, picking pumpkins and feeding goats and just enjoying eachother.

Searching for that perfect pumpkin

Getting a closer look at the goats

Best.Toy.Ever.

Melt! Dan and T playing hide and seek in the Big Mac Patch

Snacking and cuddling on the hay ride

We took a bazillion pictures and I can't share them all, you'd get bored. But I'll treasure them always. We left with cold ears, dirty hands, perfect pumpkins and wonderful memories. I can't wait to go back again next year.

JUMP!!!

Excuse my obnoxiously loud voice in this video.

BBA Challenge: Cinnamon Rolls

Ginormous cinnamon rolls, actually. I couldn't wait to try this one out, so I baked it shortly after the ciabatta bread. I was surprised to find this was a 1 day process. Every other recipe I've ever made has included the rolls to spend the night covered and in the fridge before baking, but this formula let's me get at the yumminess far quicker.

After chucking all the ingredients in a bowl, I set about kneading by hand and then realized I was to lazy for that and chucked it back into my KitchenAide and kneaded it with the dough hook. I must admit, I'm thrilled with the results. I got the most gorgeously supple dough that made a clear window pane after about 6 minutes. Once my dough was mechanically kneaded, I allowed the dough to ferment a bit and then set about constructing the rolls. The results were amazing.

The only thing I didn't do was make the fondant icing from the book. I'm sorry, but cinnamon rolls just AREN'T cinnamon rolls without cream cheese icing. Just saying.

Totally nom'able, soooo fun to make and again, will definitely be made again soon.

18 Months, 18 Months

Baby girl, I adore you! There is just no two ways about it. You have been in my arms for 18 months and I can honestly say that every single day has been a pleasure and a gift. Thank you for choosing us to be your parents.

You woke up this morning in a rather rare good mood. Not that you aren't one of the happiest babies I've ever known, you just need a few minutes to fully wake up. Much like your mommy!You were all smiles as I came into your room and happily came back to bed with daddy and me and cuddled for quite some time.

We have been working on having you say "Please" whilst asking for something and today it just seemed to click. As I sat on the couch, prepared to share my cinnamon roll with you, you looked me right in the eye and sweetly said, "Me! I need, deas." Which is utterly adorable, not just because you asked in context, but because you haven't learned that pesky "P" sound and use the letter "D" instead.

I can't wait to discover what each and every day with you will hold. Happy 18 months, Torryn. I love you!