Posts in Category: PJ

Grams is here!

On July 14, 2011 by Steve With 0 Comments - family, Grandparents, PJ

Let the fun begin!!!!

Penelope’s 3rd Birthday

On July 11, 2011 by Steve With 0 Comments - family, Grandparents, PJ

Penny had a wonderful birthday, full of family, friends and presents.  Keeping up with tradition, we headed to the valley for lunch and the zoo.  Penny was excited she got to celebrate the night before her birthday skyping with Grams and Grandpa Tom and opening presents.  Then on her birthday she got to celebrate with her friends in jardin and later with Steve, I and Senora Carmen.  After a full day Penny had shared her birthday cake with some of her favorite people- Bernadette, Peter and Amy (Josh was busy, unfortunately) and of course Steve and I.  Then ended the evening skyping with Grandma and Grandpa and opening more presents!!  Penny loved it so much, that she is already talking about her next birthday, she doesn’t quite understand the concept of time!  Thank you to everyone who helped make Penny’s birthday so special, we are all so lucky to have you in our lives!!

22 weeks!!

On June 11, 2011 by Steve With 0 Comments - PJ

Family Outing

On June 11, 2011 by Steve With 0 Comments - PJ

I sometimes feel that we are some of the luckiest people.  We have a wonderful life, wonderful family and live in a wonderful place.  Today while it was 52 cold and dreary in La Serena, we took a drive (only about 45 minutes) into the mountains and found perfect weather- 78, blue skies with snow capped mountains all around.  We spent the afternoon exploring Vicuna, went to the bug museum, had lunch, ate ice cream and played in the square.  It was a perfect day!!

Bread Making

On June 7, 2011 by Steve With 0 Comments - PJ

Penny helped me make bread this morning.  It’s one of the easiest recipes I know, and quite tasty.

One recipe makes enough for 4 loaves and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.  The longer it stays in the fridge, the more sour dough tasting it will be.  It is a very versatile recipe, I really like putting an egg wash on it and adding poppy seeds, sesame sees and garlic.  It is also really good stuffed.  Here’s the recipe if you are interested-

Ingredients

1 ½ tablespoon yeast

1 tablespoon salt

3 cups warm water

6 ½ cups all purpose flour (or can use 1/2 all purpose and 1/2 wheat)

Mix-

In large, sealable plastic bowl, mix yeast & salt into warm water.

Using large spoon, mix in flour until uniform and mixed (DO NOT KNEAD)

Dough should be wet enough to conform to shape of container

Cover but do not seal

Let rise at room temp until dough begins to flatten on top or collapse (2 – 5 hours) I usually just do 2 hours.

Punch down if necessary

Cover, seal and place in refridge for at least 3 hours and up to 2 weeks.  (I have used dough after the initial rise and it has been fine).

Baking-

Sprinkle flour on dough and hands.  Divide dough into 4 sections, and remove one (about grapefruit sized).

Turn and stretch 30 – 60 seconds in hands, making round loaf

Sprinkle corn meal on parchment paper

Place dough on parchment paper

Let rest 1 – 2 hours

Preheat oven (and stone) to 450 degrees

Slide onto pizza stone (while still on parchment paper)

Bake 25-30 minutes (with broiler pan with cup of water underneath) until browned on top

Resist cutting until cooled