My Favorite Breadsticks

This has been my go to recipe for breadsticks for several years now. They are fluffy, moist, and buttery and are very delicious. I love this dough so much, that I have started using it occasionally to make hamburger buns. When I do that I don't add the garlic butter. I first found this recipe about 5 years ago on ABC News and have modified it and adapted it to suit my needs. 

Ingredients for the Dough

2 T sugar

3/4 tsp yeast

1 cup + 1 T warm water (I usually put the water into the microwave for about 25 seconds)

3 cups flour (I use regular white flour from WheatMontana, but if you want to use bread flour go for it)

1 1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup softened butter

Additional Ingredients

2 T melted butter

1/2 tsp garlic powder (Occasionally I use minced garlic.) 

To Cook

1. Combine warm water with sugar and yeast, proof for ten minutes.

2. Add flour, salt, and butter to your mixer and mix for about ten minutes.

3. Cover dough and allow to rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours and then punch the dough down.

4. At this point you can shape the breadsticks and place on a greased baking sheet and allow to rise for 30 more minutes, or you can allow the dough to rise for 30 more minutes and then shape the bread sticks and immediately bake. 

5. Oven should be preheated to 400 degrees F.

6. Bake for 12 minutes and then spread garlic butter mixture on top.  

Dumb Tv Shows to pass the time between Good Tv Shows

Like many people, we enjoy watching an episode or two of tv each night to unwind. We have our favorites, but we run into problems when we run out of "good" shows to watch. However we have had remarkable success in the last several years with finding random and sometimes "dumb," but usually amusing tv shows to get us through until our other shows start up for the season. Sometimes these shows that we stumble across become so silly that we hope for a second season, but that is usually never the case because the shows aren't that compelling to start out with. That being said, here are a few of the not that great tv shows that we have enjoyed, in case you run out of things to watch on Netflix. 

I Survived a Japanese Game Show (2008, 2009)
2008. A reality show set in Japan. American contestants compete in a series of ridiculous competitions to win $250,000. Some of the more ridiculous contests included "human crane finds fluffy bear," "big chicken butt scramble," and "big baby go boom."  The winning team of each challenge gets treated to some sort of reward having to do with Japanese culture. The losing team receives some sort of punishment, i.e. having to spend the night at a hotel where the beds looked like they were pretty much the size of the different boxes at the morgue. Each time the contest is won, all of the cast members shout "Majide" and cheering erupts. 

True Beauty (2009, 2010)
The premise of the show is that contestants are competing to be the most beautiful person in America. They all think they are being judged on their outward beauty, and each of the challenges throws an element in where they can respond in a positive or negative way. The contestants don't know that there are hidden cameras listening in on their behavior. This show holds special memories for me because I was watching it right before I went into labor with my first baby. 

Expedition Impossible (2011)
This show was actually really cool, but it also felt like just another one of those reality race shows. Teams of three race across the deserts, mountains, and rivers of Morocco. The course covers 2,000 miles, including parts of the Sahara and the Atlas Mountains. I was actually hoping that this show would have multiple seasons but we had no such luck. 

Siberia (2013)
The premise of the show is that sixteen reality-show contestants are placed in Siberia where they have to survive until winter. Whomever lasts the longest will win $500,000. I'm unsure of whether or not it was well publicized before the episode, but the show is a mock-umentary making fun of reality tv shows. Not knowing that going into the first episode, we were a little caught off guard when one of the contestants is killed in the first episode. At that point it dawned on us that the show wasn't really reality tv and then they started adding all sorts of supernatural elements. The show was really lame but it got us hooked to the point that I was sad when the ending left us hanging.  

The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, and Bachelor Pad (Current TV Show)
I think most people know the ridiculousness that can sometimes happen on the Bachelor. We watched this for several seasons before we finally got bored of the same old plot repeats. Some of my favorite seasons were Jillian's, Shawn's, Allie's, and Emily's.  

Celebrity Apprentice (Current Tv Show)
I'm not sure whether to lump this show in the same category as the other ones mentioned here because some of the episodes are really interesting and I enjoy seeing how the contestants handle the challenges. I think the thing we find ridiculous in this show is the number of stars appearing from various versions of the "Housewives." We can't decide if they really are that crazy, or if it is just an act.

The Slap (Current)
It is a remake of an Australian tv series, and is also based on a 2008 book. The show tells the story of the aftermath of a birthday party, where an adult slaps another person's kid after the kid has kicked him. Each episode shows the perspective of the party guests. We are currently watching this and I am not quite sure what my opinion is at this point. There are only two episodes left so I am sure we will finish the series out. 

Note to Self: On Haircuts and Confidence

This might sound silly or vain or both, but I am a firm believer that one of the best things that you can do to give yourself a boost of confidence is to get a haircut... I guess I should probably qualify that. Getting a good haircut boosts confidence. Because obviously a bad haircut will not be very mood boosting and may make you want to hide your hair under a bag or wear your hair in a pony-tail for the rest of your life. Really I write this post as a reminder to myself because I tend to delay getting a haircut for far too long (usually 1-2 times a year), and each time that I finally do get my hair cut I love it!

Here are a few reasons why I love getting my hair cut.

1. The change refreshing and fun.
2. Styling my hair is much easier.
3. My hair feels healthier.
4. My hair looks thicker.
5. It gives me a great excuse to make more of an effort than my go to pony-tail.
6. I find getting my hair cut to be much more relaxing than going to the dentist or any other office for that matter. You get to sit in the chair, chat and relax.
7. I usually learn some new styling trick.
8. It is a great time to get product recommendations.
9. I enjoy breaking the stereo-type that  all women should have long hair.
10. I always enjoy the first day or two before the first wash while my hair is still perfectly styled by the hairdresser. I consider those to be really great photo-op days. I got really lucky with the hospital I had my first daughter at, the stay came with a free haircut which was awesome to have just hours after giving birth. 

Hair is a funny thing, the popular saying is you always want what you don't have, especially when it comes to curly vs. straight hair. I have inconsistently wavy (I wish it would just pick one curly or straight), fine, very thin hair. I started getting my first few grey hairs in my early-twenties (prior to that I loved being a brunette, since then I've sometimes wished my hair were naturally blonde so that it would be easier to hide for a while.) I have never been able to grow my hair very long before it started getting stringy and frizzy. To some degree I have always felt self-conscious and or apathetic about my hair due to these circumstances. Sometimes  have desperately wished that the wigs people used to wear back in time periods like the days of Marie Antoinette would become popular again.

I've always felt most comfortable with my hair in a pony-tail, but that hasn't been great for my hair. Having two kids took a toll on my already thin hair, and in recent years I have tried to avoid doing much straightening, curling, or blow-drying to protect my remaining hair. That didn't leave a ton of options for styling. To make the situation even more difficult, I used Nioxin with some success for a while and so I have a lot of new growth that is stuck in an awkward stage-- not long enough to be tamed but long enough to curl up at odd angles and be noticeable.

So long story short, this is a reminder to myself to not go so long in-between cuts. Because as silly as it may sound, I really do feel that boost of confidence that comes with a new do. Find a hairdresser you trust, and get a cut that works with your coloring, face shape, hair texture, thickness, etc. Don't fight what looks good because you have preconceived ideas and wishes about your hair. (When I was a kid I used to wish I could grow my hair as long as the sky. Whatever that means. Now when I think about that dream I can't help but cringe). Lastly, the Pinterest App on SmartPhones is the best thing ever when it comes to getting a haircut! I was able to take my inspiration photos and discuss possibilities in terms of what would actually work for me. And I walked away from the appointment with one of my favorite haircuts ever!

Here is my Pinterest inspiration board. I ended up going with an A-Line cut (most similar to the first pin), and the color was an ombre with with a warmer dark color on top.

And here's a picture of my new hairdo. When I came home from my appointment my little girls were very expressive in how much they adored the new haircut. They couldn't stop running their fingers through it and asking to take pictures together. My older daughter kept getting up when she was supposed to be in bed to tell me how "darling" my hair was. Having a fan club like that is definitely fun.

El Cabrillo National Monument

One of my favorite places in San Diego is Cabrillo National Monument, located on the Point Loma Peninsula. The monument was created to honor the landing of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo at San Diego Bay in 1542, the first time that a European expedition touched shore upon the future West Coast of the United States. 

We went last April and I can't wait to go back! From hiking, to tide-pooling, touring the lighthouse (it was closed when we went so we will have to do that next time), whale watching, and looking at amazing views of San Diego, there is plenty to keep us busy on subsequent trips. 

Here are a few tips for visiting  Cabrillo National Monument:

1. Check out the Cabrillo National Monument  page on the National Parks Service website before you visit. They will have information about the different activities available, closure dates etc. It is also a good idea to visit the Cabrillo National Monument webpage to find out when the tides will be low--which is the best time to visit the Tidal Pools. 
2. Bring a jacket, the top of the peninsula around the light house can be really windy and we got pretty cold. Wear the proper footwear. The area near the tidal pools is slippery so shoes with good traction are a must. 

P.S. Here's a little pop culture tidbit if you are familiar with the tv show Veronica Mars, the scene with the bush crash was filmed at Cabrillo National Monument, near the "coast view parking area." Yes I am a bit of a nerd when I travel and like knowing things like that.

A Quick Photo Tip: Why the time of day you take your photo matters.

I love photography, I always have. In my early years with a camera, what I lacked in quality I made up for in quantity. Luckily that was back in the days of pre-digital camera and so it was a lot easier to part with those shots. Photography became a pretty serious study for me five years ago when we got our dslr, and I'd like to think that my photo skills have grown tremendously in the last few years. While there are many aspects that go into making a great photograph, one of the easiest to think about and improve upon is lighting. 

When searching for tips about good lighting in photography, you will read all sorts of things about the "golden hour," and why it's best to avoid harsh mid-day sun. In those times when you have no other options, there are still some things you can do to work with the sun, such as finding large patches of shade, use a fill flash, or screens to filter the light. Ideally though, you will be able to shoot during the "golden hour". That period of time shortly after sunrise or before sunset where the sun is near the horizon and the light is softer. Paying attention to when the light is ideal, will make a tremendous difference in how your photo turns out--whether it looks like any typical snapshot, or something that stands out as unique. 

My favorite way to use this type of lighting is by shooting toward the light so that my subject is back lit. There is just something about the halo-like glow that illuminates the subject that can really make your photos pop. 

And since I obviously love all of the spring blossoms surrounding me right now, here are a few more photos of the blossoms on our peach tree.

Our Favorite Breakfast, the Dutch Baby.

Today I am posting a recipe that is very unoriginal, but it delicious and tried and true. I do not post this recipe pretending that it is some new, innovative, and trendy breakfast food because it is not. The recipe was new to me seven years ago when I married into a family that loves Dutch Babies, the fluffier the better. 

I hate pancakes. The texture, the syrup, the whole combination. I do enjoy waffles which I suppose is odd since the batter used to make waffles and pancakes is practically identical. I probably shouldn't even get started on odd breakfast preferences considering I love to top French Toast with butter and salt and pepper, keep that syrup far away from my French Toast! So in the way of hot breakfast foods that we like prepared the same way, that leaves little my husband and I both love. The Dutch Baby however, is something that we can both agree upon. 

I am mostly posting this recipe because it represents a current phase or era in our household. My husband works from home a few days a week, and back when we only had one kid and it was a lot easier to spend a few hours slaving away over a huge batch of freezer waffles (the recipe we always used is here). Spending that much time cooking breakfast while my hungry family waits isn't as easy now, and besides that my toddler broke our waffle maker. So really the key for us is a tasty breakfast that doesn't take long to cook and is not very involved. Enter the Dutch Baby. It is our go to breakfast, occasional lunch, and even sometimes dinner. It is a recipe that we always have ingredients on hand for, it takes five minutes to whip together and 25 minutes to bake.  

Having already mentioned the unoriginality of this recipe as a breakfast idea, here is a little bit of the history behind this breakfast. We are big fans of Sunset Magazine in our home, and a few years ago they featured this brief little history on Dutch Babies. "Sure, it was born in Europe, but the West adopted this baby almost a century ago. In the early 1900s, Victor Manca, owner of a Seattle restaurant . . . put the German pfannkuchen on his menu. Instead of making one giant cake, though, he baked dainty little ones--hence, Dutch (as in "Deutsch," for German) Babies." 

So unoriginal but tried and true, we love the Dutch Baby! 

I have tried several types of pans over the years, with the best results coming from a well-greased cast iron skillet. Be sure to follow the pan specifications, if you try to use a pan too small the Dutch Baby will end up more dense and not as fluffy. Pans should bee shallow, no more than 3 inches deep.

We serve ours with a sprinkling of lemon juice and powdered sugar but some people use fruit, honey, nutmeg, syrup, or honey. 

Dutch Baby Recipe 

Pan Size	Butter	Eggs	Milk and Flour
2-3 qts.	¼ cup	3	¾ cup each
3-4 qts.	⅓ cup	4	1 cup each
4-4½ qts.	½ cup	5	1 ¼ cup each
4½-5 qts.	½ cup	6	1 ½ cups each

1. Put butter in a cast-iron skillet and preheat oven to 425 degrees.

2. While butter melts, mix batter: put eggs in blender and whirl on high speed for 1 minute. Pour in milk and flour gradually and continue blending. I usually blend all of the ingredients for 2-3 minutes to ensure maximum fluffiness.

3. Remove pan from oven and pour in batter. Return pan to oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until puffy and well-browned.

4. Top with lemon juice and powdered sugar.

A Current Favorite in our House: On the Mountain: A Touch-and-Feel Adventure

"It's time to climb a mountain, Right to the very peak, and on the way we'll play a game - Of chase and hide-and-seek...." 

     We purchased On the Mountain: A Touch-and-Feel Adventure, from an eclectic bookstore in Missoula, Montana when our oldest was a baby. Because we like to hike we thought it would be a fun book to read, especially because it is a touch-and-feel book and the animals are pretty realistic looking and are both colorful and pretty. Recently our second daughter (twenty months-old) discovered this book and it is currently read on repeat, several times a day. She loves to point out the different animals and search for  the lynx and chipmunk on every page. The different textures of the book are fun to touch, and the rhyming is actually enjoyable (unlike the nonsensical and overdone rhyming found in some children's books).