into the woods we go!

the pville way to get a christmas tree. out with gramps, dad, and the dogs to find a good one!

and all decked out at home:

tis the season

around my house in holiday pieces

ben's drift wood collection

bread from heaven, little kid

ben loves this song, so do i, and i think a few others out there might enjoy :)

as the day of many thanks draws near, i have transitioned into full on "martha mode". with it comes full days of baking- flour flying and rolling pins rolling like mad. this bad boy--

has been the best birthday present...ever. 

in the swirl of pies and breads galore, i found this particular bread worth the while:

picture from the recipe source...

this is how mine turned out....

Cinnamon-Raisin Pull-apart Bread

Adapted from Kohler Created

Ingredients

For the dough:

3/4 c. non-dairy milk

1 packet active yeast

3 c. white bread flour

1 tbsp. baking powder

1/4 c. raw sugar

2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. salt

5 tbsp. fresh unsweetened applesauce

For the Filling:

1 tbsp. fresh unsweetened applesauce

4 tbsp brown sugar

1 1/2tbsp cinnamon

1/2 cup raisins

In a small saucepan, gently warm 3/4 cup non-dairy milk and sprinkle yeast in letting it dissolve. This takes about five minutes.

In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, 1/4 cup sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and 1/4 salt. Add 5 tbsp applesauce and yeast mixture and stir to combine. Add in another 1/2 cup flour, stirring to combine with a spatula. Continue mixing until you have a sticky dough ball. It will take a while to all come together, but it will.

Place the dough in large, oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel. Place in a warm area and allow it to rest until doubled in size, or about 1 hour.

While the dough rises you can whisk together the brown sugar, cinnamon and applesauce for the filling. I found this filling very thick, and not very good for spreading, so I added a bit more applesauce, but this is probably where I would add pumpkin instead of applesauce, and maybe more than a tablespoon. Maybe a 1/4 c.(?)

Grease and flour a 9×5×3-inch loaf pan. Set both aside.

Sprinkle remaining flour on a flat surface and knead dough, kneading in most of the flour. Using a floured rolling pin, roll dough into a large thin rectangle, about 12-inches tall and 20-inches long, or roughly as large as you can make it, depending on the size of your petite kitchen.

Using your fingers, or ideally, a pastry brush, spread the filling across all the dough. Sprinkle with additional brown sugar if desired. Sprinkle raisins evenly across the dough and eat a lot of them.

Slice the dough vertically into strips and stack strips on top of one another and slice into strips again. Be sure they will fit into your baking pan. Layer into your greased pan and cover with a kitchen towel and allow to rise for 30-45 additional minutes. (don’t forget this part… idiot)

Preheat to 350 degrees F and put the baking rack in the center of the oven. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes until tips are deeply golden brown. Mine was a bit doughy in the center, so be sure the tips are quite dark which will ensure that it had been in for long enough.

Allow to cool for up to 30 minutes before removing from pan and onto a clean surface or serving dish. Serves 2 greedy people. just yank it in half.

mmm…

i also wanted to put a pic of this cute kid up for yall to devour

preshy pooch.

and this one of my sis and Heiser on the way to Mares

on freeganing

a new post, under wild things, http://mounatintops.blogspot.com/p/wee-ones.html, checkitout main.

oh! and i almost forgot... thanksgiving countdown...
today i can give thanks to my pops. i am thankful i have such a wise owl of a father. when approached with a troubled face he's as calm as a mountain lake. and he really helped me out today. thanks dad :)

I Do. What I want

"the wedding of my dreams" is not a concept in my world. if it were completely up to me it would be a private day of matrimony between just the two of us. i would cut out the third party completely if it was legal. to say that i am unconventional is a tremendous understatement. so instead i have taken a few strides toward a more socially reputable service to include important folks who would enjoy celebrating the idea of everlasting love :)

so my idea of a wedding would include:

good morning and giving thanks

good morning :)

countdown to Thanksgiving:

1. I am very thankful for the lifestyle I am able to live.

I have a car. I have a warm home. I have food on the table. I have food for my 3 pups. I have a decent job. In another time or place I may not have been so lucky to posses these "necessities". We forget the bounties we are allowed. I am blessed to have these things.

looking forward to Tahoe and some time away from the rat race.

cinder

she felt the blue moss underfoot.

the moon a silver son.

a wind blew past her, 

memories of wildflowers and cedar sap 

and golden sands

and holding hands

and campfire songs and far away stars dancing overhead. 

fiery flames lift up at night

swirling embers embraced the darkness.

times of warm woods and wool hoods, 

and stalling engines and concrete rooftops. 

and small hips and rosey nose tips

and holding tight and blowing kiss. 

and saying farewell forever and ever after

until the night she saw you 

pushing your baby in the grociery cart. 

old yet worthy

the stelzmiller halloween experience...

creepy is a must!

halloween is long gone, thanksgiving is next week! and soon sleigh bells will be a ringin! i love the holidays.

cold starry night

its a chilly night tonight. this song just goes...

soft pumpkin cookies with almond cream frosting

these cookies come out dense yet soft. they don't melt down while baking or get crisp.

preheat to 360

two separate bowls:

1st bowl:

...sift...

2 1/2 cups flour

1/2 tsp baking soa

1/2 tsp baking poweder

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1/2 tsp cinnamon

2nd bowl:

...mix on a high speed until creamy...

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup butter (yet to try a substitute, yogurt?)

...add...

1 large egg

1 1/2 cups pureed pumpkin

until blended

...add...

dry ingredients

...bake...

15-18 minutes

yum!

feeling fall all over

certain things just...go...with fall!

1. pumpkin. spice. 

thank you starbucks for enriching my dependancy on caffeine. i tried to quit, but on the cusp of the harvest season...touche`. i helplessly lapsed, and drinking these jewels far too often is still a fall-time crutch.

2. cozy throws everywhere

3. old classics. 

when the wind is a howlin, and the glowing glory days of summer are a simmering echo in time, the best solstice is often found by the fire. in an old chair. with a cup o tea. and a good, long, mysterious novel. 

4. sweet critters.

good for every season (of course). but this time of year their fuzzy coats = additional warmth! cuddles galore :)

5. soups & stews

i will TRY to post the most mouthwatering, hearty, comforting and special recipes for glorious cold weather meals.

6. boots.

step into fall, prepared! 

7. candles.

of the winners this autumn. these babys take the cake: