Yep, I'm going there

Thanksgiving sappiness.  Because why not.  Also baked goods, because yum.

Moar pie

Yesterday it snowed, and stuck everywhere but at my barn and house.  Now you might think 'yay you can still ride!'  But, yeah not so much, the arena is now totally saturated and the temperature dropped over night, so think frozen block of sand instead.  Now is the time to practice lateral work in hand I believe.  Really though, now is the time to remember blessings.

This horse

Baby horses

Baby lambs

Did I mention this horse

This guy

More things I am thankful for?  My parents, my friends, my house, my dog, my cats, my health, my memories, my future.  I hope you are all able to do something fun today and eat something tasty.  Thanksgiving isn't really about the big turkey or stuffing or cranberries.  It is about remembering the things we have instead of focusing on what we don't have.  It is about making new memories and savoring the old ones.

Time to cook

And who knows about what really happened on that first Thanksgiving (hello folklore gone wild), but I really like the idea of adventurers in a new land meeting new people and having a party.  I know this can be tough time for people who are feeling alone, I encourage them to volunteer, or cook a meal for other lonely people.  Make treats and bring it to the people who have to work.  Be thankful that you have the ability to give.

Last year's pies

Anyways, I hope you all have a wonderful day, eat til that top button is tight, and laugh until your sides hurt.

What's cookin?

Bread!
OMG I have seriously found the best, most easy, too good to be true bread recipe!  I was totally skeptical, the whole if it sounds too good to be true is probably is, but it really is amazing!  It comes out looking like artisan bread, you know the stuff we all pay way to much money for.  Thick chewy crust, moist middle, air pockets, the whole nine yards.

The first loaf I made

You mix together 4 ingredients the night before (or early morning before if you want this with dinner) you want the bread.  Let it sit in the bowl overnight with a towel over the top.  Then come morning time you preheat your oven to 425 degrees F and heat an oven proof pot in it for twenty minutes (I just throw it in as I turn the oven on).  I used a dutch oven with a glass lid, the lady who's blog I found this bread on has a metal 'bread pot,' I've never heard of one.  I plan to do some experimenting to see if the pot is necessary or if other things work (like a Pyrex bowl with a cookie sheet over the top) for most normal people without an oven safe pot.  When the pot is heated you pull it out, plop in the bread dough, put the lid on and bake for 20 to 25 minutes.  Then you pull off the lid and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes.  When the top looks nice and golden brown you pull it out let it sit for a minute and then take the bread out (I used a spatula).  Then try not to eat the whole loaf as you cut slices and spread butter that gets warm and melty all over it.

Yesterday's loaf

I can't believe it is this pretty!

Ok guys here is the recipe:
3 cups flour
1.75 tsp salt
.5 tsp yeast (I was just a tinge generous with the second loaf and it fluffed up better)
1.75 cups water
Stir together.  I add a cup of water and stir and then slowly add the rest as I stir, you don't want the dough too runny or too dry.  Then just let it sit overnight in the bowl.
Come morning turn the oven to 425 and preheat oven and bread pot.  Put dough into hot pot with lid on.  Bake 20 to 25 minutes, remove lid, bake 10 to 15 minutes.  When the bread is beautiful remove from oven.  Let it sit for 5 minutes and then remove from pot.

My next step is to try adding 'stuff,' I'm looking forward to a garlic rosemary loaf.

Try making some bread and be ready to be impressed!