The Amish Would Not Be Pleased

Have you ever been given a starter for Amish Friendship bread? I got my first ziploc baggy full of it about 2 weeks ago. We went to go visit some family and one of my SIL had made this delicious bread. A couple days later she brought me and my other SIL our own starters with a copy of the instructions. They were very detailed on what to do for each day. Most of which consisted of "Mush The Bag". Hard workers those Amish.

I had asked my SIL what made the bread Amish, it was all in the preparation. You couldn't use any metal when making the bread. No metal bowl, spatulas, spoons, anything!

So follow the instructions I did. I mushed the bag, I added in the proper ingredients, and then mushed the bag some more. Finally on Day 10, the starter gets dumped in a PLASTIC bowl and more flour, sugar and milk is mixed in. Then you divvy out 4 cups into 4 separate ziploc baggys. Three you give away, one you keep to make for your family.

The rest of the batter in the bowl, you mix in a bunch more stuff to make the bread. Which I have to tell you is REALLY hard to do without the use of my Kitchenaid Mixer! Oh I desperately wanted to use it. But I stuck to my guns and stirred my batter in my plastic bowl with my wooden spoon. Finally it was ready, my oven was preheated, so into the bread pans the mix went. I popped them into the oven and let them bake for an hour. The house smelled WONDERFUL! All sugar and cinnamon-y.

It tasted amazing! The kids ate it up, and so did hubby when he came home. Until he pointed out something to me...







Looks like my Amish bread was not so Amish after all!! It never even occurred to me that I was baking it in METAL pans! I had put so much effort into mixing it in a plastic bowl, with a wooden spoon, staying away from my Kitchenaid. Only to BAKE the silly things in metal pans! Still delicious though!

Happy Birthday Princess!

As per usual, I am behind. But hey, can ya blame me? We packed and moved, and somehow slipped in a couple of birthday parties for the Princess.

Dear Princess

I can't even believe how much you have grown in the past year. Getting to know you thus (yes I said thus hee hee) far has been such a joy. Its funny, before we even knew you were coming, your brother Train Junkie started asking me for a baby sister. So we complied! When Mommy went into the hospital to have you, I was nervous and excited. But so ready to meet you. We didn't know if you were a boy or a girl. So when you finally made your appearance, I waited nervously for those 3 little words. Its a Girl! And a big girl at that. 9lbs 15 oz. Just an oz short of 10lbs. And so beautiful. You had a thatch of black hair and eyes the color of, well, we still don't know what color your eyes are! They change with the weather, the color of clothes you are wearing, and more than likely with your mood.



Before we knew it, you were brightening our days with smiles and learning to rollover. I knew crawling wasn't far behind. You love your brothers and when they take off to go do the things that boys do, you get so sad. Little Guy is one of your closest buddies, in fact after Mama and Dada you call out for him! I pray that you two always have such a close relationship. Although hopefully it will evolve from Little Guy trying to carry you around the room, and teasing you with your blankie!





Princess, you have been such a blessing to our little family. God knew what he was doing when he put a little girl in our lives. Daddy and I pray over you every night, that you would continue to be healthy and strong. And have a sweet spirit and a gentle heart. Which is usually the case unless you are tired. Then you become smack-y and grabby!

I can't wait to see how much you change and grow this coming year. You are walking, and starting to say little words. You love music and dance whenever you hear your favorite song. Which oddly enough, for the moment, is anything by Miley Cyrus! Mommy and Daddy, and your brothers love you SO MUCH!
Love always
Mommy, Daddy, TJ and Little Guy