ID-TEN-T Problem, part two

Okay, for those of you who didn't get this (don't worry; I didn't either for a looooong time), here it is:

ID-TEN-T

or
IDIOT

In other words, it is a cheeky way of saying that it is a "user" error and not a software situation!

:-)

"ID-TEN-T" Problems

My husband, a former company IT guy, has a saying when things go wrong in the computer world: ID-TEN-T.

Now, spell this word out, removing the hyphens and using the numeral "10" instead of the word.

Get it?

Anywhoo, that is what I am facing this morning. I cannot get my super-cute pics of my new purses up!!!!!!!!!!

I will figure out my computer error, and post them TODAY, Lord willing!

I Won! I Won!

I always sign up for the giveaways at my favorite blogs, but I usually don't win anything.

Until yesterday!

Sometime next week, I will be receiving a beautiful and fun Christmas apron made by none other than Beth at Life is a Musical. If you have never visited Beth's blog, go and check out all you have been missing!

Oh, how I love Christmas!!!!!!!!!

Tag . . . I'm It?!?!?!

Okay so Rochelle tagged me. Now, I am supposed to share six (only?!?!) quirky things about me.

1. I LOVE lime pickles. Seriously, it is like an addiction to me. I have been known to eat a whole jar in a day's time. Thankfully, Nat's aunt and uncle make to-die-for lime pickles, and they always bring them to family gatherings!

2. I talk to myself. All the time.

3. I always rub off the "fuzzies" on my bananas before I eat them. I hate the feel of the fuzz on my tongue.

4. I love to diagram sentences. I get a rush out of ripping apart a sentence and seeing each word propped on its particular diagram line.

5. I love the thrill of good garage sales. To me, finding a great garage sale is like fireworks, Christmas, and birthday all rolled into one delicious moment!

6. One of my favorite guilty pleasures is Wendy's french fries dipped in a Frosty. That treat is the perfect combination of sweet and salty, high calorie and . . . high calorie, and artery-clogging fat.

7. (When did I ever follow the rules?!) I love to pretend that I am the host of a cooking show each time I cook. (That is something that I used to do as a little girl, and to this day, I still find that habit hard to break!)

Okay, so now you know something more about me!

Zoo Trip Odds and Ends

Even though it seemed as if we saw a lot of back ends that day, we had fun!

I swear these monkeys weren't doing this when I zoomed in and clicked.

All the animals seemed eager to make my scrapbooking comments a challenge.

My guys in front of the mommy giraffe.

Jack and Madison in the tunnel at the zoo.

Our trip to the zoo

Andrew watching the "ippos" and the fish.

This morning's breakfast conversation . . .

JACK: Mom, I think we should buy a baby?

ME: (surprised and shocked) What did you say?!?!?

JACK: (nonchalant) I said I think we need to buy a baby!

ME: Where, exactly, does one "buy" a baby?

JACK: (in an authoritative voice) Mom, we buy one from the hospital. We go into the big hospital and go to the room where they keep the babies and pick one out and pay for it later.

ME: (thinking out loud) Yeah, we sure do pay for the baby.

JACK: So, how about it?

ME: Go ask your dad about that one!

okay, okay . . . .

Absolutely no excuses for not posting. So, here is a summary of life over the past several months.

April highlights: Andrew was in the hospital for three days with the awful Roto virus.

May highlights: A weekend at camp for TLC; a spring banquet (rock climbing and pizza)

June highlights: A Six Flags rally at St. Louis; Nat spoke at camp (so much fun, and 9 kids got saved!); a wedding; a week at the GARBC conference (just got home three hours ago)

Life continues as normal, and God is so good.

The conference was a HUGE encouragement, and I am so thankful that we went!

Sour Dough Bread

Okay, here is the original sour dough bread starter and recipe that everyone has been asking for. However, if you want pictures, you will have to visit my niece's site.

Sour Dough Bread Starter
1 Pkg. dry yeast
1 C. warm water, divided
3/4 C. sugar

Combine yeast in 1/2 c. warm water. Mix sugar with the other 1/2 c. warm water. Combine all ingredients in a plastic container. Poke holes in the lid of the plastic container, and let stand out all day. Refrigerate that night.

Three days later, feed the starter with the following recipee:

Feeder
3/4 cup sugar*
3 Tbsp instant potato flakes
1 cup warm water

Mix all ingredients in a plastic or glass bowl and add to the original starter. Let starter sit out 8 to 12 hours. Then, mix the sour dough bread, following the dough recipe below.

Dough Recipe
1 cup starter
1/2 cup oil
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups warm water
6 cups flour **

Mix ingredients together. Knead on floured surface for five to ten minutes. Place dough in greased bowl. Place plastic wrap and a lightweight towel over the dough. Let rise in warm, dry place until double, usually 8 to 12 hours.

Divide dough into three lumps. Place dough in greased bread pans to rise, or make into rolls or cinnamon rolls.**** Let bread or rolls rise 6 or 7 hours.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes, or until rolls or bread is golden brown. Remove from pans and let cool completely.


NOTES:
DO NOT USE METAL WITH THE STARTER! (I don't know why this matters, but it is in big letters on my recipe, so I guess it's important!)

*I use 1/2 cup of sugar when I feed my starter, and it is plenty sweet and always turns out yummy!!!!!

** The dough is really sticky, so I sometimes add more flour when I knead the dough (usually I use 7 cups).

**** To make the cinnamon rolls, roll out the dough into a rectangle on a floured surface (dough should be about 1/2 inch thick).
Spread dough with melted butter (about 1/4 cup butter).
Sprinkle liberally with cinnamon sugar (about 1/4 to 1/2 cup).
Sprinkle with brown sugar (1/4 cup), if you want.
Start at one end of the dough and roll.
Cut rolls, about 1/2 inch thick from log. Place rolls in a greased pan and let rise for 6 or 7 hours. Bake according to directions above.

If you have any questions, feel free to holler!