Hunters and Trackers

Fischer and Tracker observe their world unnoticed by all but the most observant.

This week they brought us a squirrel, 3 baby possums, and a vole. In addition I saw tracker with chipmunks in his mouth on two separate occasions. He must have others with whom he shares his delicacies.

Dad is in western PA for a meeting today; home before bed tonight. Then, we are looking forward to getting in on some of that beach time Debby has me drooling over.

Tea and Parties

I've been a little intimidated by the condescending attitude taken by many towards what is now considered to be a movement.

Well, I stumbled on an article which details surveys by Gallup and the Winston Group. (I copied 3 charts from the article.)

The bottom line is that people who identify with the tea party movement reflect the larger population more than one might think from listening to the news. The tea party group follows the general population by education, employment status, race and age. (There are slightly more men, and the average income is slightly higher)

Although 70% are conservative (30% call themselves moderate or liberal), only 49% call themselves Republican. The remainder are Independents and Democrats.

I went to the tea party meeting in Chattanooga last summer, and i strongly identify with what I have heard of the movement. And I think it is a healthy phenomenon--good for the country.

Don't let anyone tell you it is a racist group or a right wing group. It's just people who think the country has gone too far, and there's too much meddling in our lives.

love you guys

Debby-inspired Bread-making

Now that we've eaten baby bunny bread and it was good, I'll tell the rest of the story. When I was about to shape the dough into a bunny, a light went on and I realized that I had left the honey out of what we call "Honey Bunny Bread" Oops. So I measured the honey and tried to incorporate it into the already-sticky dough. Pretty messy. I dumped it back into the mixer and added a bit more flour. TaDahh. It mixed in just fine and on i went with the process.

And the bread was good.

A metaphor for our lives as Christians? We mess things up good, but there is forgiveness, and when final meal is set, all will be well.

HE IS RISEN. RISEN INDEED.

I wouldn't have made bunny bread this year except that Debby has inspired me to incorporate bread-making into a week's routine.

Now here is a recipe that Debby found and sent to me. Yesterday I started it at 5 p.m. and we left with one of the warm loaves a bit before 7. During risings I was able to shower, clean up the kitchen and get ready to go out. The bread was a hit at dinner.

I adapted it a bit, and it is so easy that I want to pass it on.

Easy French Bread

(It makes 2 small loaves but recipe may be doubled to make 2 large or 4 small loaves. One small loaf serves 4)

Proof Yeast

1T yeast

¼ c warm water

1 t sugar

Mix

1 c warm water

1 T olive oil

1 T honey

Combine

3 to 3 ½ c (white) bread flour

1 t salt

Combine yeast, honey, and flour mixtures. Mix well with dough hook.

Knead 8 minutes.

Cover and allow to rise in bowl until double.

Punch down then allow to rest 10 - 15 minutes.

Divide dough. On floured surface, roll into rectangles.

Roll up from long edge.

Place loaves on greased cookie sheet, make slashes diagonally across top.

Allow to rise until double.

Brush with:

melted butter

Bake @ 400º for 20 minutes

I quit baking bread because of Debby. I was concerned that yeast spores, prevalent in a home where bread is baked frequently, was contributing to a health problem she was having. And now, 25 or so years later, I am having a blast baking bread, thanks to Debby's inspiration.

love you guys,

mom

Easter and Spring and Strawberries

Made Baby Bunny Bread today by halving the Honey Bunny recipe. It looks fine; hope it meets the taste test in the morning.

Wednesday there was no sign of phlox... a favorite spring flower. Thursday a few buds were visible and today I spotted the first signs of blue. Wednesday and Thursday I wondered with the cold winter if there would be strawberries. Friday morning... nothing, by noon there were a few buds, and by the end of the day there were a dozen or more. Today a few of the blooms had already set, as in... you could see tiny berries, the size of a pinkie nail. Now for apple blossoms!

Happy Spring to all. Give thanks to the One who bore our sins and rose again on the third day.

love you guys, mom