Flea Market Finds

One of my all time favorite things to do on a lazy Saturday is parooze the flea market. It is one of those things my husband and I would do almost every weekend before we had kids. Now that we have a super cool entourage we don't go as often, but we get to pass down our love of finding buried treasure.

Armed with their little coin bags, and saved allowances. Our children were extremely excited to start the hunt. Danika is more of a browser. She doesn't really know what she is looking for, but knows when she has found it. Darius on the other hand seems to be set on finding that one perfect thing. More often then not somehow it finds him. I love to see their curiosity, and enthusiasm when they are exploring. Even More so when they find the new in an old thing. I've noticed that they both enjoy the history, and character of the objects they come across. Much like Indiana Jones, and trust me its always and adventure. Improving their math, and negotiation skills (some call it haggling... no names need mentioned... a hum, Chris. But they learn from the best, after all he has haggled in sands of Afghanistan. Bringing us the most wonderfilled, and majestic gifts of the far east.)it is also very rich in education.

Today Danika and I found some wonderful treasures. We've brought new life to old things.

Danika's eyes were drawn to the jewelry today. With in minutes of being at the flea market, she happened across a case full of lockets. A prize she has been searching for, but not just any one would do. It had to be the perfect one... Her cost $3 (but of course I bought it for her, because it was a gift. Telling her that made her face light up, and her heart glow)

 

For me my find was of the culinary kind. I've been on the hunt for a vintage pepper grinder. I've head hunted one online, but could never find what I was looking for and a price I was comfortable with. Today I stumbled across an amazing little set. Vintage, made in Italy, and a woppin' $4... Win, Win, Win.

 

 

Last but not least our final find. A vintage pair of scissors. Not just any scissors though, shears that perfectly fit Danika's hand. Perfect for her love of sewing and cutting fabric. Found for $2. They need a little sharpening, but totally rock the character.

 

 

I gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling when I think of how lucky we are to be able to pass down our favorite pass times with our children. To be able to give life to old things. It is a wonderfilled cycle :0)

 

♣♥ Jess

Rainy Day Poem

Laying here listening to the rain. Imagining that it will wash away the pain. Like a little folded paper boat. Fragile in water, but still able to float. Whisked away by a raging stream. Soon to be off to better things.


-- It is amazing what flows out of our minds when we have one moment of clarity. This poem was inspired by the sound of rain as I was trying to drift off to sleep. Alone and in the dark.

♣♥ Jess

Nom, Nom, Pumpkin Fritters!

Fearfully Delicious, these little guys are full of that spice and pumpkin goodness! Such a simple batter that I find them to be just as easy as making flap jacks in the morning. My kids love to help shake them in the cinnamon sugar mix as much as they love to eat them.

Pumpkin Fritters

1 1/2 Cup Pumpkin Puree
1 Cup Flour
1 Egg
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon Ground Ginger
1/4 teaspoon All Spice

Vegetable Oil for Frying
 
Cinnamon Sugar
1 Cup Sugar
1 Tablespoons Cinnamon

In Heavy pan pour 1 inch of vegetable oil and heat to 350 degrees.

Meanwhile in mixing bowl combine Pumpkin, Flour, Egg, Baking powder, Salt, Cinnamon, Ginger, & All Spice. Mix until well combined.

For Cinnamon Sugar I mix them up in a shaker, so we always have it on hand :0)

Once oil is heated drop batter in by the Tablespoon full being sure not to over crowd the pan. I generally drop 8 at a time. Fry until golden. I like to watch them flip themselves over, but sometimes they need help. Drain on rack or brown bags. Cool slightly, so the kids don't get burned and put them in a brown bag and dust with cinnamon sugar. Then shake them to your hearts content!

Nom, Nom,

♣♥ Jess

Chocolate & Veggies?! Say What?!

Chocolate & Veggies...Seems crazy, right?! Well, we are all Mad here... so it's ok :0) One of my go to recipes that fills that chocolate & nut craving that doesn't leave me feeling guilty or empty is my Chocolate Zucchini Walnut Cookies. They are filled with so much healthy that I let the kids eat them for breakfast!

 

 

Chocolate Zucchini Walnut Cookies

1 Cup Butter
1 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar
1 Egg
1 1/2 Cup Flour
1/2 Cup Cocoa Powder
1 teaspoon Salt
2 Cups Rolled Oats
2 Cups Grated Zucchini
1 Cup Walnuts

In Mixer beat Butter & both Sugars until fluffy. Then add the Egg fallowed by the Cocoa Powder. Next ad the Flour, Salt, & Oats. Finish up with the Zucchini & Walnuts.

Spoon out onto baking sheets by the Tablespoon full. Giving each cookie a bit of a smush to flatten it out (but not to much).

Bake at 350 Degrees F for 15-18 minutes.

Enjoy my madness! If you want to take it to the next level take 2 cookies and a scoop of Coolwhip. Cover in plastic wrap and freeze it! Makes for a great ice cream sammich :0)

♣♥ Jess

Bacon Cheddar Beer Dog Treats

I needed an excuse to share a beer with my favorite pup, Falkor, without allowing him to drink straight from the bottle. So I developed this recipe.

 

First things first, beer selection. I use whatever I have on hand, and feel like drinking ;0) after all I'm sharing.

Toss all the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Then add the cheese & bacon. I generally use left over bacon, from breakfast, but then again who has left over bacon?! so I just reserve him 2 slices :0)

Mix it all up, then add the beer & oil, and mix until crumbly mixture forms. If it seems a bit dry to you, go ahead and add a slosh or 2 more of beer.

Next our it out on a 9x11 non stick sheet pan or baking dish lined with non stick foil. Press into the pan until nice and even.

 

I get kinda lazy and didn't want to cut them into shapes, so I just score them to make square biscuits about 2x2 inches. Once baked and cool they easily break into the squares.

Bacon Cheddar Beer Dog Treats

2 Cups Rolled Oats
1/2 Cup Wheat Flour
2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
2 Strips Cooked Bacon
2 Tbls Oil
1/3 Cup Beer

Mix dry ingredients, then add Cheese and Bacon. Mix in Oil and Beer until mixture becomes crumbly. Press into 9x11" non stick sheet pan or foil lined baking dish. Score into 2x2" squares.

Bake at 325 Degrees for 12-15 minutes. Then shut off oven and leave to dry for additional 20-30 minutes. Cool on sheet. Then break apart.

Emma, you inspired me, so by all means take the recipe and use it for your doggy goodness!

♣♥ Jess

Wholesome Beer Pizza Crust

One of my kids favorite nights in our house is Make Your Own Pizza night! We do it at least once a week. In my quest for adventure, I was inspired by one of our favorite beer & pizza joints to put a spin on my favorite homemade pizza dough recipe. Thus Wholesome Beer Pizza Crust!

First things first... The Beer! To me the darker the beer the better. It has more flavor and more color :0) Since I didn't have a good stout or porter on hand I go to my no fail which just happens to be Killians Irish Red.

Generally the beer is always cold in this house, so I end up having to heat it up in the microwave for about 30-45 seconds. You don't want it to be super hot just warm or it will kill the yeast. If the yeast dies then you wont have a nice fluffy dough, you'll have hockey pucks. But they still taste good.

Now for my favorite part, because it makes me feel like a mad scientist (I usually call the kids into the kitchen for it too). Adding the yeast to the beer and the bubbly explosive reaction the two have ingredients have together.

Now for the dry ingredients and the olive oil goodness. I just toss all those in to the bowl.

Attach the hook, and turn it on slowly adding the yeast mixture. After that's in turn up the speed and scrape the sides down occasionally.

I use my kitchen aid. I used to do it by hand, and had that technique down. Took me a bit to get used to the mixer. You just have to know what to look for in the dough, like a dough whisperer. This is half way in the mixing process.

When the dough starts pulling from the sides and mostly clings to the hook. I start the timer for 5 minutes to allow the mixer to kneed it. (If your dough isn't pulling from the sides add just a bit more flour, start with 1/4 cup.)

After 5 minutes of kneading it should be nice and smooth. Worked its way up the hook and clinging for dear life.

I take the hook, dough and all out. Then pour about a tablespoon of olive oil in the bottom of the bowl.

Then scrape the dough ball off the hook into the bowl. Rolling it in the oil and slathering the sides of the bowl.

And that's all it takes. About 20 minutes to throw together a handmade dough. Now cover and let it rest and rise for until doubled. At minimum 45 minutes.

You can store this dough for later use! If I make it in the morning for that night I just cover it with plastic wrap in the bowl and put it in the fridge. Then pull it out to rise later in the day. If I have left over, it freezes well too. Just coat it in oil and put it in a zip bag, then freeze. I either put it in the fridge to thaw, then pull it out to rise, or if I'm in a hurry I defrost it in the microwave a bit then let it rise on the counter in the bag.

What to do with the rest of the beer... Drink it! Or Stay tuned for my Bacon Cheddar Beer Dog Treats recipe.

Enjoy,

♣♥ Jess

Wholesome Beer Pizza Crust

1 Cup Beer (Darker the Better)

1 yeast Packet (or 2 1/4 tsp.)

1 1/2 Cups Wheat Flour

1 Cup White Flour

1 Tbls Brown Sugar

1 Tsp Kosher Salt

2 Tbls Olive Oil

Warm beer to no more than 120F. Add yeast and let dissolve.

In Mixer bowl add flours, sugar, salt, & olive oil.

Slowly mix in yeast mixture until combined. Then kneed for 5 minutes until smooth. Put dough in oiled bowl & cover to let rise until doubled.

Roll out dough & bake on sheet pan sprinkled with cornmeal or flour for 15 minutes at 400F.

3 Songs for Then, Now, & Later

We all have days where we need to find a little inspiration to let go, live in the now, and look forward to better things. I have 3 songs that always snap me out of that somber mood. Even better if they are served with a nice cold craft beer & sung along to. I'm a sucker for some good blood pumping Punk, and even more so when I hear one of my favorite songs from childhood covered by my favorite punk bands :0)


For the Then...

Social Distortion - Far Behind

You can never go wrong with Social Distortion. They are always straight to the point & inspirational with lots of kick ass behind them! ... So crank it up & Let it Go.


For the Now...

MXPX - I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)

Who doesn't love The Proclaimers 500 Miles? Takes me back to the opening of one of my favorite love stories, Benny & June. Its the way life should be & the way I always try to live. Unconditionally. ... So surrender into the Now.


For the Later...

Bouncing Souls - Better Things

Nothing puts a little bounce in your step like the Bouncing Souls version of the Kinks, Better Things. Tomorrow is a new day & the best is always yet to come. ...So raise your glass & toast to the better days!

♣♥ Jess