A Carb Lovers Dream

I love a good sweet treat, but my true weakness are the carbs. I’m a sucker for bread, pasta, and more bread. Is it a coincidence that Italy is my favorite place? I think not!

Well, ever since I got this beauty for my birthday last year…

 I’ve been obsessed with making the perfect homemade bread. I tried out several recipes over the past couple of years, but I really like this one I found on Allrecipes.com. I now try to make homemade bread as often as my time and waistline will allow. Oh, and did I mention I like to pair it with homemade cinnamon-honey butter? It’s pretty much a mouthful of heaven. I had to share the recipes. Carb-lovers unite and enjoy!

Homemade White Bread

Adapted from Allrecipes.com

Ingredients:

•  3 cups warm water
• 3 tablespoons active dry yeast
•  3 teaspoons salt
• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 8 cups bread flour

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water and yeast and let yeast dissolve.
2. Add salt, oil, sugar, and 4 cups flour to water and yeast mixture. Mix thoroughly, and let sponge rise until doubled in size (about 30-45 minutes).
3. Gradually add about 3 - 4 cups flour, kneading until smooth. Place dough in a greased bowl, and turn several times to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled.
4. Punch down the dough, let it rest a few minutes.
5. Divide dough into three equal parts. Shape into loaves, and place in three 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch greased bread pans. Let rise until almost doubled.
6. Bake at 350 degrees F for 35 to 45 minutes. The loaves may need to be covered for the last few minutes with foil to prevent excess browning.

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 Cinnamon-Honey Butter

(copycat Texas Roadhouse butter)

Ingredients

•  2 sticks of butter softened
• 1 cup honey
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tsp. cinnamon

 Directions

• Combine all ingredients.
• Whip together in a mixer or with a hand-mixer until it’s smooth like butter. :)

Pineapple Lemonade

I love all things lemon. I don’t care for soda, so lemonade is my fountain drink of choice. It is oh so delish to me! Imagine my delight when I found a tropical version of lemonade. Introducing…Pineapple Lemonade! Ta da! I made this for my sister’s baby shower, and I’ve been loving it ever since. It’s incredibly refreshing, and it makes me feel/wish that I was sitting on a beach in Bora Bora.

Pineapple Lemonade 

·         2 cups Country Time lemonade mix*

·         1 (64oz) bottle Pineapple Juice, chilled

·         3/4 of a 2 Liter bottle of Sprite, chilled

·         2 cups cold water

·         lemon slices and ice (opt)

Combine all ingredients together in a large punch bowl. Add lemon slices and ice. Serve!

This is the recipe for a larger group, but you can also make a glassful for yourself by using ¾ of a glass of lemonade, a quarter cup of pineapple juice, a dash of Sprite, and lots of ice. I know you will love it!

* P.S. I highly recommend the lemon-lemonade kind, and not the pink lemonade. As a very wise fellow lemonade-lover once told me, “When’s the last time you saw a pink lemon?”

AZ Bloosoms

Number 33 on my travel bucket list is visiting the cherry blossom festival in Washington D.C. I just missed it this year, so instead I’ll have to just enjoy the Arizona equivalent—palo verde bloosoms—from my back yard. They aren't cherry blossoms, but I still love them!

Happy Easter

Today is Gigi's big day! It's Easter--"The Big Dance" in Bunnyland. We had her first Easter Day photo shoot. She is quite stunning. I think she might have a shot at being America's Next Top Bunny Model. Happy Easter! 

 

Look What I Can Do!

Did you know that bunnies are really smart? Well, Gigi is one smart cookie. Not only is she doing great at being litter box trained, but she is also learning some new tricks. Here is a video of her first trick. She picked it up in just a couple of days! (It helps that she is addicted to oats and will do just about anything for them.)

Introducing…Gigi the Magnificent! If she gets good enough I may have to start a bunny circus (insert circus music)! Way to go Gigi! Apparently tricks are not just for kids.

Bringing Up Gigi

I’d like to introduce you to the newest addition to the family…Gigi! Gigi is a six week old Holland Lop and she is basically the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. I know-- I’m probably the last person you’d think of getting a pet, but I’m totally in love with her. Here is how little Gigi became my new favorite girl.

Several months ago one of my doctors at Mayo Clinic asked if had a pet. When I told her no, she suggested I should consider getting an animal for a little pet therapy. I did some research and learned that pets are a calming influence. They can lower your blood pressure and elevate your mood. One doctor said, when you pet an animal “you experience a surge of healing hormones (oxytocin) and chemicals that produce feelings of peace and serenity.” Serenity now! I’m pretty desperate to find a cure for my constant headaches/migraines, so I started considering getting a pet. I’m definitely not a cat person, so that was out. Fish and turtles don’t make good cuddle friends. I considered a dog, but it seemed like a lot of work. Then I imagined cuddling up with a cute, fluffy, adorable bunny. Bingo! The search for the perfect bunny began.

I did some research and found that Holland Lops are small and make really great pets. Next, I found this great breeder, The Bunny GardenRabbitry, in Prescott, AZ. Luckily the Bunny Garden was expecting some new bunnies. I visited Gigi when she was only two weeks old, and as soon as I held her I knew she was the one--and I knew her name had to be Gigi! I've had her for a week now and she has stolen my heart. She is sweet, playful, smart, and a little sassy. She loves to explore, cuddle, and jump. She will sit with me for hours and just rest, sleep, and help me relax. She is perfect! She definitely help calms me down and helps me not worry about all the things I my to-do list. Work and laundry don’t seem as important when I know that Gigi needs some cuddle time. 

Here are a few pictures of my new best gal pal. Meet Gigi!

I bought her a pink cat bunny bed for when she is hanging out in the living room. 

She likes to hide in the corner of the bed and stretch out. 

When you place her on her back she becomes completely still. It's a bunny trance!

Look at that face!! 

When I work from home I hold Gigi on my lap. Sometimes she likes to jump on the keyboard and help me answer emails. 

Welcome home Gigi!

Die Another Day Red

 I’m completely in love with OPI’s Skyfall collection. Are you surprised? Colors inspired by my favorite spy—yes please. I’ve quickly fallen head over heels for the bold, red color of “Die Another Day,” and the mysterious, sassy color of “The World is Not Enough.” This might be the closest I’ll ever get to Daniel Craig and being a Bond girl, so I’ll take what I can get. 

Trust me--if you are looking for a fun new polish, just say Bond...James Bond. 

Macaroni Paige

It’s the beginning of the year, and that means it is award season. During this time of the year the media is constantly talking about “The Best” - the best actors, the best singers, the best football team, and even the best dressed. Sometimes I like to dream about what it would be like to win a prestigious award, and then I remembered an “award” I received a few weeks ago. My niece, Eden, made a portrait of me—out of macaroni. Here is a picture of her sharing her art with me via video chat. I felt like I had just won an Oscar. My nieces and nephews are my pride and joy! I have officially been immortalized in macaroni…and it doesn't get much better than that.