Papa's Heart

Last week was a bit of a challenge.  Between school and work and kids, I had to take Steve to Kentucky so that he could be with his family.  My father-in-law found out that he needed a quadruple bypass surgery.  After getting back home that evening, I took myself and one of my daughters to the clinic only to find out that we both had strep.

I'm thankful that I couldn't stay in the hospital long when visiting Don, very thankful that I didn't get him sick.

As per usual, school always seems to seep into my life, or maybe it's the other way around.  My assignment this week was to write a haiku.

In this waiting room
Here, waiting waiting waiting
Worried sick waiting

Clean room, skilled hands work
Doctors mending Papa's heart
Will everything be ok?

Tick tock tick tock time
Keep my mind on something else
Worry never helps

Update:  Don only needed a triple by-pass and he was home after only 3 nights.  He is doing well!!

BIG Dreams

We have big dreams.  Sometimes it looks like it is never going to happen, especially not on the timeline that we want it to.  At least the way that I look at it, my husband is an eternal optimist, he is assured that ALL of our dreams will happen this year.  (Edit: By ALL.. I mean the land and house part)

I don't think we'll find trees like this in our area,
but you get the idea.

We want to own at least 10 acres, 15 is preferable. I want chickens and goats (Steve wants a pig).  I want to learn to can and preserve food (to enjoy our delicious garden treats year round).  I want an apple tree, cherry tree and strawberries.  I want bees, too.  I want to be close enough to city that it isn't a forever drive yet far enough away that we can't see our neighbors (if we even have neighbors) or hear the cars going by.  I want a tree lined drive and an adorable farm house.  I want to make butter and yogurt and cheese with the goats milk.  I eventually want to learn how to spin yarn from goat hair (mohair) to make yarn.  I want my mom and dad to be able to live on this land with us.  I want a path around the whole property to run/ ride on.  I want more that I haven't even discovered yet.

I want this breed of goat (Nubian)

My ideas just keep getting bigger as I find things to add to my farm house dream.  I don't want to work anymore (I never thought I would ever be saying that, EVER).  I want to be able to spend more time with the kids (they are almost grown).  I want time to care for my animals. I will need time to make butter, cheese, yarn, pickles,...... I might even find time to clean, maybe.  The only thing I don't want to do is garden.  I'll leave that to Steve.  I hate gardening, plants don't like me either.  I do not have a green thumb, mine is black as in death to every plant I touch.

Curious chickens always look
like they are posing for a selfie

Many times it all seems too big and out of reach.  I am trying to focus on the steps that will get us there while still looking ahead so we know where we are headed.  It's a frustrating balance.  This is the beginning of the journey.  I know it will have its challenges but I am looking forward to the end result: A healthy, happy, (mostly) self-sufficient life up ahead.  Note: Not sure if we could ever live an "unplugged" life.  Steve would never give up high-speed Internet.  But, we want to get awfully close.

"You're off to great places!  Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so... get on your way!" -Dr. Seuss

French Toast Medallions

This morning I woke up before my alarm.  Usually, I force myself back to sleep until my alarm goes off, but I decided that french toast sounded really good.  I knew that I had used the last piece of sandwich bread yesterday for (regular, plain, buttered) toast with eggs.  I was pretty sure we still had a quarter loaf multi-grain bread left over from our Tuesday Kroger soup date.  So, I got out of bed and called my mom while I was getting the ingredients together.

Alas, there was no bread.  When I got off the phone with my mom, I told Steve that I was planning to make french toast but I didn't have any bread.  He offered to put on pants. Yep, he is so very helpful The only bread that we have in the house is a hoagie roll.  Amazing genius that he is, Steve suggests that I cut the rolls like a loaf and use that.  Bingo!  French Toast Medallions.

I actually thought about blogging before I started cooking.. So I remembered to do pictures.  Yay me.  Actually, I probably say this all the time, but this was the best batch of french toast I have ever made. Usually my french toast turns out really eggy and I don't like that.  Seriously these were perfect.

Here's what I did.  I combined the eggs, heavy cream, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract in a bowl and whisked them while I was talking to mom.  Then I cut the bread.  The recipe mentioned the eggs needed to be whisked very well with the heavy cream.  This is where, I think, I have gone wrong with french toast my ENTIRE life.  I have never whisked very well.  I noticed that not only was the egg white not mixing in very well.. the cinnamon was a bit clumpy.  I just so happen to have a whisk attachment for my mixer.  It is amazing!  Did the job in under a minute.  Perfection.


 Nothing special after that.  I cooked each side until it was golden brown.  The two hoagie rolls that I cut up was a perfect amount for this recipe (which calls for 4 slices of bread).  I may not ever get it this perfect again, so I am glad that I have the pictures to prove it happened.  I may have to keep some hoagie rolls on hand from now on...  I think that the kids would like these cute little french toast bites.  I am snacking on one right now with coffee in my favorite dinosaur mug.

2 large eggs

1/3 cup heavy cream, half and half, or whole milk

1 TBS granulated sugar

¼ tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

4 thick slices of bread (I used two hoagie rolls cut into thick slices)

2 TBS butter

Pure maple syrup for serving

Directions

Please ignore my paper plate! (I hate dishes) In a medium shallow bowl, whisk together eggs and cream (or whatever milk you're using). In a small bowl, stir together the granulated and cinnamon. Stirring the sugar and cinnamon together will keep the cinnamon from clumping up in the egg mixture. Whisk the eggs, cream, sugar and cinnamon until the egg whites are broken down and well mixed into the cream. Place a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add a pat of butter, about 1 tablespoon and allow to melt. Dip one slice of brioche into the egg mixture. Allow to sit for 15 seconds then flip to moisten and coat the other side. Allow to sit for another 15 seconds. Place the dipped slice of bread in the hot skillet and cook until golden brown, about 1 minute and 30 seconds. Gently flip and cook on the other side until golden brown. Don't press down and flatten the toast. Keep it fluffy. Continue until both or all of the slices are cooked, adding more butter to the pan as necessary throughout cooking. Serve warm with more cinnamon sugar and maple syrup. Bacon, too... because always.

Here is where I found this recipe