About a month ago I started to do something that makes my home smell so good in morning. I started to make bread. Not just any bread but Amish Friendship bread. With just enough sugar it taste like a sweet bread, and if you cut back the sugar just a little bit hen you have great sandwich bread. When it comes to this bread it  is that versatile.

Since I started to make this bread my daughter Megan has become addicted to it. One week I was to tired to make bread; so Mark and I happened to buy some bread at the store. Megan tried it and asked for “mommy’s original bread” and so I have been happily making it ever since.

INGREDIENTS
2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1/3 cup white sugar or for a more sweeter bread or  2/3 cup of white sugar for more of a sandwich bread.

1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
6 cups bread flour



DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water, and then stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam. (TIP: Let yeast stand for about 5minitues if it creamy then it means it is not dead and your loaf has a better chance of rising.)
Mix salt and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Place in a well oiled bowl, and turn dough to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
Punch dough down. Knead for a few minutes, and divide in half. Shape into loaves, and place into two well oiled 9×5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until dough has risen 1 inch above pans.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes.

One of the best investments that our family has made is a fishing license. The best thing about AZ fishing licenses is that you do not need one until you are 14 years of age. If you are over 14 then it will cost around $24.00 dollars with tax.

 My husband loves to fish, and because of this, my daughter now loves to fish too. This has become a great family outing for all of us. We get up early, I bring my latest magazine or book, we pack up the car and we drive.  

A lot of Arizona parks have what they call urban fishing; this is great choice if you have kids whose attention span isn’t very big. They are usually at public parks, so there are playgrounds and “potties”.

One of my favorite stories of fishing with my family happened early this summer. We went to Papago Park and brought a nice lunch and some outdoor games (there wasn’t a play ground where we were).  I knew before we got to the park the day was going to be interesting..  This happened when I realized I forgot one of the main ingredients in my chicken curry sandwiches: the curry.

So the day began.  When we got to the park there was a nice breeze and the sky was beautiful. The ducks were out and keeping Megan entertained.  Did I mention we were able to get a table in a great location! After our interesting lunch, the fishing started.

Megs was having a great time swatting the pole trying to catch a fish. Her daddy was having fun doing his favorite thing – Fishing.  I was totally engaged in one of my favorite magazines. That’s when Mark spotted a tiny little “island” only a few stepping stones away.

He helped Megs cross the little stream on stepping stones. “The island”, as my family now fondly calls it, only kept Megs attention for I don’t know, oh, maybe 2.5 minutes. This is when she decided to try to cross by herself.  She made it across just fine.  I think she was even amazed herself, because she did not just cross it once or twice but three times.

 (The stream that leads off of the main “lake”)

On her way back on the forth time she crashed and fell right in the water!  It was a wet mess for sure, but we can’t help smile and laugh every time we think about it.   So as you can see why, this has become one of my favorite memories of this summer.

For parks that have places to fish, goto the AZ fish and Game Website . This also has all the rules regulations you need to start enjoying this fun summer tradition!

One of my favorite things to do is to spend time with my baby girl. One way I do this is by cooking with her. I find recipes that she and I can do together. About once week we will do a cooking activity and just have a blast doing it. This week we made Marshmallow Magic Puffs. This is a great dessert that is really rich and fun to make.
Your ingredients will be:
½ cup of butter melted
Equal parts of cinnamon and sugar
A package of Crescent Rolls
A package of LARGE Marshmallows
Directions:
Melt your butter in a microwaveable bowl ( I use little bowls so that it is easier for Megs to use) Mix your cinnamon and sugar in a SEPARATE bowl.
~On a cookie sheet place you rolls so they are flat in there triangle shape on the pan. (TIP: Cover the pan in foil it will save you time later when it is time to clean up; you just pick up the foil and throw it away!)
~ This is where your kids come in, have your child dip a marshmallow in the butter, then have them dip in the cinnamon a sugar. (Megs pretends as though she giving the marshmallow a bath in the butter and then getting it ready for the magic show in the cinnamon and sugar. Such a glitzy mallow!)
~When the Marshmallow is ready for the show have your child place in the marshmallow in the middle of the triangle. Then with your help in-close the marshmallow into the roll making sure the seams are tight. We also like to take the extra sugar mixture and sprinkle it on top!

~Then put the amazing marshmallow into the oven for it final trick! Cook as directed on the crescent rolls package.
~Take out and let cool for about 5 mins.
~Gather your kids around, and cut in the middle of one roll; to their surprise the marshmallow well have had escaped leaving behind a tasty treat for the whole family to enjoy!<

Welcome to my home, and little corner of the world. Let me introduce myself; my name is Tiffany Leigh and I would like to invite you into my sanctuary and home. I often hear the saying “There is no place like home”. How true this statement is! Home is where memories are created, laughs are shared, and comforted is always your guide. It took me awhile to realize that I could make a home out of anyplace that I chose. With this realization I have truly engaged in a new calling in life; I am a modern renascence woman with the eagerness to learn new skills everyday. I am so excited to share my journey with you. What you can expect to see on this blog is a little of everything in my week. From cooking, and crafting to just getting around with a three year old. I will also have tips for everyday and cheap things to do with your family!

Please feel free to leave me comments, if you have questions, or just want to chat! I am always open to suggestions. This is a big world and I intend to learn as much as I can. Check back as often as you can because you don’t want to miss a thing!

Tiffany Leigh
Things you have to look forward too!