Saturday, August 20, 2011

16 weeks..it's a girl!!!

How Far Along: 16 weeks (I'm actually 17 now..but this pic was from 16 weeks:))
Size of Baby: a avocado
Total Weight Gain: 2 1/2 pounds
Maternity Clothes: I've been wearing some tighter fitting maternity shirts...they make me feel like I look pregnant..and not just pudgey:)
Gender: baby girl! Alexandria Rae Sulak
Movement: too early..can't wait for this!
Sleep: My OB said it was okay to still be sleeping on my back/stomach...so, sleep has been a little better.
What I Miss: Strawberry Daiquiris!!
Cravings: still just cheese....
Symptoms: My hernia has been driving me crazy..other than that, I feel pretty good:)
Best Moment this Week: finding out that we're having a girl! SOOOO excited!...and seeing our sweet baby on the u/s:)


Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Cinnamon sugar pull apart bread

I haven't been baking nearrrrly enough!! ..but have tried a few new recipes...

This one is from J0y the Baker, and was pretty delicious.. didn't last for long!It was a bit time intensive...but I think it was worth it.

Cinnamon Sugar Pull-Apart Bread

Makes: one 9x5x3-inch loaf

Recipe adapted from HungryGirlPorVida

Print this Recipe!

For the Dough:

2 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 1/4 teaspoons (1 envelope) active dry yeast

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 ounces unsalted butter

1/3 cup whole milk

1/4 cup water

2 large eggs, at room temperature

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the Filling:

1 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg

2 ounces unsalted butter, melted until browned

In a large mixing bowl (I used just the bowl of my stand mixer) whisk together 2 cups flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Set aside.

Whisk together eggs and set aside.

In a small saucepan, melt together milk and butter until butter has just melted. Remove from the heat and add water and vanilla extract. Let mixture stand for a minute or two, or until the mixture registers 115 to 125 degrees F.

Pour the milk mixture into the dry ingredients and mix with a spatula. Add the eggs and stir the mixture until the eggs are incorporated into the batter. The eggs will feel soupy and it’ll seem like the dough and the eggs are never going to come together. Keep stirring. Add the remaining 3/4 cup of flour and stir with the spatula for about 2 minutes. The mixture will be sticky. That’s just right.

Place the dough is a large, greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and a clean kitchen towel. Place in a warm space and allow to rest until doubled in size, about 1 hour. *The dough can be risen until doubled in size, then refrigerated overnight for use in the morning. If you’re using this method, just let the dough rest on the counter for 30 minutes before following the roll-out directions below.

While the dough rises, whisk together the sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg for the filling. Set aside. Melt 2 ounces of butter until browned. Set aside. Grease and flour a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan. Set that aside too.

Deflate the risen dough and knead about 2 tablespoons of flour into the dough. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rest for 5 minutes. On a lightly floured work surface, use a rolling pin to roll the dough out. The dough should be 12-inches tall and about 20-inches long. If you can’t get the dough to 20-inches long… that’s okay. Just roll it as large as the dough will go. Use a pastry brush to spread melted butter across all of the dough. Sprinkle with all of the sugar and cinnamon mixture. It might seem like a lot of sugar. Seriously? Just go for it.

Slice the dough vertically, into six equal-sized strips. Stack the strips on top of one another and slice the stack into six equal slices once again. You’ll have six stacks of six squares. Layer the dough squares in the loaf pan like a flip-book. Place a kitchen towel over the loaf pan and allow in a warm place for 30 to 45 minutes or until almost doubled in size.

Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Place loaf in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the top is very golden brown. The top may be lightly browned, but the center may still be raw. A nice, dark, golden brown will ensure that the center is cooked as well.

Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 20 to 30 minutes. Run a butter knife around the edges of the pan to loosen the bread and invert onto a clean board. Place a cake stand or cake plate on top of the upside down loaf, and carefully invert so it’s right side up. Serve warm with coffee or tea.


baby presents

I recently made a few things for a dear friend, who is having a sweet baby boy!
The first is a taggie..and I used this tutorial to guide me. I'm not going to lie, it took FOREVER. Sewing all of that inside out was quite a challenge. I think it turned out pretty well for a first run...I also added some plastic to the inside to give it a crinkle sound.
She also wanted a few tie onesies...so I made her a few:)Love ya Linds... can't wait to meet your sweet Parker!!!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

14 weeks

I know...my hair looks awesome. I'll teach you how;) HAH

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 14 weeks
Size of Baby: a lemon
Total Weight Gain: 1 pound
Maternity Clothes: I've been wearing some tighter fitting maternity shirts...they make me feel like I look pregnant..and not just pudgey:)
Gender: Have to wait until 16 weeks..less than 2
Movement: too early..can't wait for this!
Sleep: My OB said it was okay to still be sleeping on my back/stomach...so, sleep has been a little better.
What I Miss: nothing:) I feel so blessed
Cravings: still just cheese....
Symptoms: only threw up twice this week! YES! Feeling pretty good!
Best Moment this Week: My glider came in...sooo comfortable!! And...ordering our stroller..SO excited for it to arrive!

On another note...sorry for the lack of baking posts.. I'll try to be better!!
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