Emma's Basketball, Bob's Bread-Making Secrets, and Susan's New House

I haven't written in awhile, so have some catching up to do! Hope all of you are well.

This picture was taken a few days before Thanksgiving... it had snowed. I was sure it would melt away quickly and I'd have that second chance to finish raking out my flower beds.

No such luck! Most of that first snow did melt, but it stayed chilly and eventually new snow started taking its place. I'd say we have about six inches now, here in Colfax. We also had our first sub-zero mornings this past week.

So the stage has been set for another snowy Wisconsin Christmas! Those of you travelling here in the coming weeks from Arkansas, West Virginia, and Kentucky better pack your hats, mittens, and boots!!

We had a quiet Thanksgiving here at home. Jonathan and our old friend, Jon Buth (who we hadn't seen in several years!), joined us for a 1:30 Thanksgiving lunch. We had turkey, stuffing, and all the traditional fixings, followed by football-watching (the guys), dishes (me) and naps (everybody).

Jon has been working mostly 4 day weeks in Iowa. After his long, lonesome stint in Colorado, it's nice having him home regularly for 3-day weekends. He's been able to see Emma play basketball in all of her tournaments (she's good), and will also be able to see Michael's when his tournaments start.

Each kid has two basketball practices a week, usually at different times, but I've been alternating turns as "driver" with two other moms who live nearby, so I usually only have to drive in for practice once a week. Saves gas and time! And Leila doesn't have to go out in the cold as often.

This week my brother Bob came over for a visit, and ended up staying over two nights. It was fun having him around.

One surprising thing about this visit was discovering Bob's new-found love of baking bread. One of the doctors he does carpentry work for showed him how to make bread in a dutch oven.

He gave us a demonstration while he was here. The finished bread has a pleasantly crispy crust and is soft, moist, and chewy inside. It reminded me of a good artisan sour dough bread, in texture. There's no kneading involved, but the "catch" is you have to be patient and let it rise 12 hours.

With his permission, I'm printing the recipe:

Bob's Dutch Oven Bread

3 cups bread flour

1 1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp yeast

1 1/2 cups warm water

Mix ingredients together in a large bowl until a sticky dough forms. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise 12 -14 hours.

Flip the dough out onto a cloth and cover it with the cloth. Let it sit another 1 1/2 hours.

Preheat the oven and the dutch oven to 425 degrees (Bob uses a cast iron dutch oven). Flip the dough into the heated dutch oven, put the lid on top, and bake covered for 25 minutes. Then take the lid off and bake another 10-15 minutes.

Let it sit 1/2 an hour to 1 hour before slicing.

You will love it!!!

Bob also did some experimenting while he was here, with good results. He made an excellent raisin bread by using the basic recipe given above and adding 1/4 cup sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, and 1/2 cup of raisins.

The lovely two-story home at right belongs to Susan and Jay. They purchased the home in Russell, Kentucky (population 3,645) because of its close proximity to the hospital where she works (and because they love the house!).

The home is 3800 square feet. It has 5 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, 5 fireplaces, and beautiful original woodwork throughout. It was built in 1909 and has a garage.

The house needs a bit of work... they plan to take down some wallpaper and paint... but otherwise it's in excellent condition, comes with appliances and will be visitor-ready (once they start acquiring furniture). We're excited because it will be so much easier to visit them, now that they're two hours closer and we won't have to stay in a motel (5 bedrooms-!).

Here's Susan carrying a box into her new house.

We're so proud and happy for Susan. Her and Jay had planned to fly here for Christmas, but now they're driving so they can bring David along too. Their mom isn't coming to Wisconsin for Christmas this year, so without their help we might not be able to see David. And Christmas without David would be very lame.

Wednesday I babysat my grand-niece (hard to believe I'm a great-aunt!), Macey May. She's 4 months old and can sit up pretty well (with a little support). She coos and "talks" and is cutting her first teeth. She has big blue eyes and shiny strawberry blonde hair.

I'd heard she was a "good" baby, and can definitely confirm that yes, she is... a very good baby. No fussing (except at the end, when long overdue for a nap), slept through most of the night, and cuddly and warm when you give her a bottle. I hope I'm called on again to babysit.

I'll close with this picture of Jon. Ever think you'd see Jon wearing bifocals? While texting his daughter with his fancy-shmancy new iPhone?

Such is life in 2010.