The Daily Bread

recipe here

This is 1/2 the daily bread recipe, baked for 20 minutes with lid on and 22 minutes with lid off.  Baked in our new 3 quart Bella enameled cast iron pot, a gift from my sister-in-law Terri.  Its the perfect size for two people, thank you, Terri.

The Daily Bread

recipe here

The Daily Bread

recipe here

The Daily Bread

recipe here

Happy Friday

Abel  2744, known as the Pandora cluster is about 3,982 million light years from Earth.  This image is the first of NASA's Frontier Fields mission, using gravitational lensing to image some of the earliest galaxies in our universe.  Hubble Page on Abel 2744.

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The Daily Bread

recipe here

The Daily Bread

recipe here

The Daily Bread

recipe here

Apple Pie

Recipe here

The Daily Bread

recipe here

Happy Friday

Credit: ESO

37 million light years from Earth NGC 7424 is a barred spiral galaxy located in the southern constellation Grus (the crane).
Wallpaper 1024x768

Stir Fried Mixed Vegetables

Zucchini, carrots, Napa cabbage, onions, mushrooms, Gai choy, ginger, garlic, soy sauce and celery in a corn starch thickened chicken broth.

Desert Hot Springs

The view from our temporary residence and a couple views of a brilliant visitor to our lemon tree.  Happy New Year!

Turkey Pot Pie

Turkey Pot Pie great use for leftover turkey.

Soft Pretzels

These pretzels are amazing, we've made them 2 or 3 times in the last month.  They are very simple to make with our KitchenAid mixer and a real family pleaser.  We made some changes to the original recipe from Allrecipes.com, here is the link to the original recipe from Christa Rose that inspired all these delicious Noms.  Thank you Ms. Rose!!

Buttery Soft Pretzels

4 teaspoons active dry yeast

1 teaspoon white sugar

1 1/4 cup water (110 degrees)

4-5 cups of flour

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon olive oil

4 cups hot water

1/2 cup baking soda

coarse Himalayan salt

In the KitchenAid bowl mix 1 teaspoon sugar along with the yeast and warm water, let stand for about 10 minutes.  With the dough hook attached add the sugar, oil and one cup flour.  With the mixer on low continue to slowly add flour until it cleans the side of the bowl.  Knead for about 5 minutes.  I'm unable to tell if the dough is correct without hand kneading it, so I'll take the dough out the machine and knead on the counter till it feels smooth and elastic.  Cover the top with saran wrap and let rise for an hour until double. 

Turn the oven to 450 degrees.  Divide the dough into 12 pieces and then roll them out between your hands until they are 16 to 20 inches long long.  Alternatively, you can roll the pretzel dough into a large pancake and then cut it into 12 long strips, which saves time on the hand rolling.  I can't fold the ropes into pretzels without looking at pretzel folding directions each and every time.  Spray a large baking pan with non stick oil and place your pretzel masterpieces on the tray.  Mix the hot water and baking soda in a large bowl.  Once all the pretzels are rolled and folded into shape, dip them in the baking soda and hot water solution one at a time.  Sprinkle with freshly ground Himalayan salt and pop them in the top rack of the oven for 8 minutes.  Remove and enjoy while hot. 

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The Daily Bread

recipe here

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays to all our friends and readers.

Like some sensible birds my wife and I are migrating south for the winter.  It pains me to think of all the cold and rainy days we'll be missing in the Pacific Northwest's gloriously damp and blustery winter, but  its healthy to try new things.  Stay warm, my friends. 

ISS Over Seattle

See the International Space Station tonight: Thursday, Dec 19 4:56 PM, Visible: 5 min, Max Height: 50 degrees, Appears: W, Disappears: ENE.

Although, it was partly cloudy we saw the station as it glided across the sky in a bright blaze of white.  

ISS Over Seattle

 
 Haven't seen the International Space Station on any of its recent passes, cloudy skies and rain have prevented any sighting.  Weather satellite shows a decent chance to spot the station tonight at 5:44 pm for 4 minutes.

Wed Dec 18 5:44 PM, Visible: 4 min, Max Height: 43 degrees, Appears: WNW, Disappears: NE

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• How to spot the International Space Station

ISS Over Seattle

The International Space Station glides over Seattle tonight, Tue Dec 17 at 4:56 pm.  Look for a very bright fast moving light appearing in the WSW and disappearing in the ENE.  The ISS will be visible for 4 minutes and the maximum height is 81 degrees, traveling almost directly overhead. 

 4:56 PM, Visible: 4 min, Max Height: 81 degrees, Appears: WSW, Disappears: ENE