Knead Bread?

Knead (need ;~D) bread and not finding it on store shelves? This is the basic bread recipe I've been useing lately. All you need is yeast, flour, water, oil & salt. And confidence in your basic can-do American spirit.

My cheats? I put it all in my food processor bowl (but have done it without) layering warm water, yeast, oil & sugar/honey, flour then salt, in that order. I don't bother with the cornmeal. I don't slash the top. I normally bake it in a loaf pan but go freeform & herb-y sometimes (have fun!). If I'm feelin' fanschy, I paint the tops with some beaten egg (and save the leftover egg to throw in with the next breakfast of scrambled eggs.)

You can do it!

If you have any questions just ask & I'll try to help.

Happy baking!

And as always, thanks for stopping by! ~TJ

Keeping the Faith~

I've lived through some major funkiness in my lifetime.
Not as bad as some, but HARDSHIP for me & mine nonetheless.
Because of this I can say with confidence, "it's gonna be okay y'all, and what will happen is going to happen, worrying won't stop it from happening."

Breathe deeply.

Pray. Not just for you and yours but the world and all it's leaders, those in charge of public health and safety, first responders...EVERYONE. EVERYONE needs someone praying for them. All the time, not just now.

And...

WASH YO HANDS!

Thanks for stopping by! ~TJ 

Ready for the Weekend!

Hello Friday! I'll be tying up the loose ends around the house & with my AvonLadyTJ business for the week, so I can UN-tie my apron strings, fling it all to the wind and ENJOY the weekend!

Do you do anything special in anticipation of the weekend?

And I'd like to wish my beautiful mama a happy HAPPY birthday! Love you Mama! ~ xo

Thanks for stopping by, enjoy your weekend my friends!~TJ

What We Ate this Week ~Dinner Edition

It is still so helpful to me to see what others are having for meals, as I sometimes get into a rut and can't seem to figure out what to make for dinner. (Breakfast is fairly simple and we often don't eat lunch, opting instead to graze.)

This week we had:

Ham and baked acorn squash~ (ham and squash both bought on sale at Aldi. I cooked the ham loosely following this recipe since I didn't have any pineapple on hand and made it in my Wolfgang Puck 8 qt Cooker . For the acorn squash, I  halved them {I  had 3}, scooped out the seeds {saving them for roasting later!} took a stick of softened butter & combined it well with 1/2 cup of sugar and salt and pepper to taste and them frosted those babies all over, placed them in a baking pan and cooked for about 45 minutes in a preheated 375°F oven {your timing may vary. I usually start checking after about 30 minutes, poking with a fork. When they are nice and soft, with a beautiful caramelized glaze-y surface, I  consider 'em done!} )

Chicken and veggies soup with wheat saltines ~ (whole chicken bought on sale at Randall's and slow cooked in my Wolfgang Puck 8-Quart Cooker , meat picked off the bone and broth from the carcass in the same cooker. I used veggies that I had on hand in the freezer {broccoli, cauliflower, mixed Asian vegetables}, pantry {mushrooms, peas and carrots} and crisper {celery, carrots}. I seasoned the broth with herbs and spices I had on hand {garlic powder, dill, turmeric, parsley, salt and pepper}).

Lentil and ham soup with cornbread ~ (lentils were bought when on sale and stored in the freezer and the cornbread was made with pantry staples, eggs {bought on sale} and milk bought at Aldi})


We used the leftovers from the above meals to have for dinners on other nights, making for quick, heat and eat meals.

What did you have for dinner this week?

Thanks for stopping by! ~TJ

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Some posts on my blog may contain links that will take you to my Avon e-boutique  (website) where, should you make a purchase, will earn me a commission as an Independent Avon Representative. 

We thank you for your show of support for the blog when you use the links to make purchases!  

Apron Sale! "Ann Marie" ♡

I'm hangin' another one of my girls out on the line to sell! Meet...

Ann Marie 

"Ann Marie" is a vintage reproduction (my vintage reproduction aprons are just that...patterned after a deconstructed vintage apron.) half apron that is splashed with flowers! She's simple and straightforward~you know exactly where you stand with her. If she sounds like you, you two will get along swimmingly!

~This pretty little half apron is reminiscent of times gone by, when an apron was part of every homemakers daily life. They are the workhorses whose function is hidden by their sheer beauty and simplicity. You will pass them down for generations to come, along with the wonderful stories and rich history associated with them that only YOU can create!~

First come first served...

Measurements (all are approximate):

Waistband - 23 3/4"
Ties, each - 26"
Length, from waistband to hem - 20 1/2"

Easy care~wash & wear cotton fabric (cold wash recommended)

$18 (includes shipping & handling)

The fine print~
Paypal and Cash App accepted
PM me with your mailing info
US addresses only please
*created in a smoke free environment and made with love♡
**Returns of item accepted within 30 days of purchase. Buyer will be responsible for return shipping expenses. Item must be in the same condition it was sent to buyer in, with no wear, tear or damage.

Thanks for considering adding this pretty girl to your home and family life.

♡Aprons make fun and unique gifts! Build a cute kitchen or housewarming gift basket around them for a gift that's sure to be remembered for years to come. 

♡Each of my handmade aprons is a unique creation, I don't strive to make multiple duplicates. They are born of where my minds eye, and the materials I have on hand, lead. This insures that no one else will have one exactly like yours!

And thanks for stopping by! ~TJ

Have you had a chance to take a gander at "Becky"?

*I would so appreciate it if you would spread the word to friends and family! Every little bit of income I make through this blog via the sale of my aprons, Avon products or through my affiliate relationships, helps to support my dear hubby and me and this blog! A million thanks friends! 

Pizza Night!

We love pizza! But long gone are the days when we had the regular income that allowed us the privilege of going out to eat twice a week like clockwork, and ordering up a couple of pizzas when the mood struck. We can still enjoy pizza that is as delicious as any pizzeria has to offer though, AND at a fraction of the cost since finding a pizza dough recipe that we think rivals any pizza restaurant's. Add a little of my simple pizza sauce (recipe below) and a few favorite toppings (all bought on sale or grown in the garden, of course!) and dinner is served!

The pizza dough recipe I use is this one. Although it is technically a "no knead" recipe, I find whipping up the dough is even faster, and appeals much more to the lazy housewife in me, when I dump the handful of ingredients into the processor bowl of my Ninja and whir it 'til it all satisfyingly comes together in a ball, but...I have done it both ways. The dough does take some time to do it's doughy thing {aka rising}, so plan your pizza party a day in advance (better yet, just keep some dough made up and keep it in the fridge for those impromptu pizza cravings!)!

what's this?!

it's a pizza dough baby! peek-a-boo!

mama's gonna tuck you in for a nap so you can grow big and strong. night-night little one. shhh!

Mamaw's Simple Pizza Sauce

2 cups canned crushed tomatoes  (can use tomato sauce)

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 

1/4-1/2 teaspoon dried basil

salt and pepper to taste (optional)

Combine all ingredients. Spread a thin layer on pizza dough before adding toppings. 

*Want to make less sauce? Simply half the recipe, but...keep in mind, any remaining sauce can be frozen and be used for your next pizza party!

Mangia!

Does your family have a regular pizza night? What are your favorite toppings? And if anyone has a tried and true "white pizza" topping/sauce (the garlicky-er😉 the better), please share, as that's my mine and my daughter's favorite. 

Thanks for stopping by! ~TJ

*I would so appreciate it if you would spread the word to friends and family! Every little bit of income I make through this blog via the sale of my aprons, Avon products, or through my affiliate relationships, helps to support my dear hubby and me and this blog! A million thanks friends! 

Apron Sale! "Becky"♡

I will be posting some of my apron creations here on my blog and would so love and appreciate it if you would  share with family and friends. My inventory closet is bursting at the seams and as I keep adding aprons to it, one of these days it's  gonna blow!

Ladies and gentlemen,  I  present to you...

Becky

First come first served...

~This pretty little half apron is reminiscent of times gone by, when an apron was part of every homemakers daily life. They are the workhorses whose function is hidden by their sheer beauty and simplicity. You will pass them down for generations to come, along with the wonderful stories and rich history associated with them that only YOU can create!~

"Becky" is a yummy little, zero calorie apron that will have you whippin' up sweet memories all throughout your day! She's a vintage reproduction apron (my vintage reproduction aprons are just that...patterned after a deconstructed vintage apron.)  that I just couldn't resist bringing to you. Go ahead, you know you wanna...

Easy care~wash & wear

Measurements (all are approximate)

Length - 21"
Ties (each) - 25 1/2"
Waistband - 23 1/2"

$18 (includes shipping & handling)

The fine print~
Paypal and Cash App accepted
PM me with your mailing info
US addresses only please
*created in a smoke free environment
**Returns of item accepted within 30 days of purchase. Buyer will be responsible for return shipping expenses. Item must be in the same condition it was sent to buyer in, with no wear, tear or damage.

Thanks for considering adding this pretty girl to your home and family life.

♡Aprons make fun and unique gifts! Build a cute kitchen or housewarming gift basket around them for a gift that's sure to be remembered for years to come. 

♡Each of my handmade aprons is a unique creation, I don't strive to make multiple duplicates. They are born of where my minds eye, and the materials I have on hand, lead. This insures that no one else will have one exactly like yours! 

And thanks for stopping by! ~TJ

*I would so appreciate it if you would spread the word to friends and family! Every little bit of income I make through this blog via the sale of my aprons, Avon products or through my affiliate relationships, helps to support my dear hubby and me and this blog! A million thanks friends!