A baby blessing and a long drive home

 Earlier this month, Chelsie had her tonsils out.  Yep, just a month after having a baby!!  She came home for a week so we could take care of her and Carter and Dallin could get caught up on things in his life.  At the end of the week, we took them back to Seattle, and were able to be present for Carter's blessing.  What a treat.  Even though we couldn't hear what Dallin was saying because they didn't turn on the mic, it was great to be there.  The really exciting moment came when we weren't sure we were actually going to make it in time.  Being a pro-baby, Carter decided to be very unpredictable and some of us, including the guest of honor were very late to Sacrament Meeting.  In the end, we made it and it was lovely.  After church, we headed to Jeff's (one of Dallin's brothers) house and enjoyed a meal and lots of conversation with lots of Dallin's family.  It was really nice to catch up with some of them who we hadn't seen since Chelsie and Dallin got married.

I do not know why this is such a poor quality picture!!

The real excitement, though, came on Monday when it was time to head home.  We knew the night before that the weather could possibly close the pass , but we were hoping for the best.  As it happened, it was closed when we got up so Trevor, Dallin and John headed to the bike store, Kristin and I headed for a shopping center and Chelsie and the baby stayed home for some quiet.  After a few hours, when I was very tired of shopping, I checked my phone and yes! the pass was open! We rushed back to the apartment, got our lunch made, packed the car and headed out.  Much to our dismay, in an effort to avoid some traffic delays, we took a different interstate than usual, and yes, we got lost!  We missed the turn, and ended up backtracking and losing at least 20 minutes, maybe a little more!!  Shoot!!

By the time we got a little over a mile before the summit, the pass was closed again!  They had to clean up some cars that had spun out, and also do some avalanche control.  The picture below is the view we got to look at for TWO + hours!!  We couldn't believe it.  TWO + hours of just sitting, occasionally listening to the AM radio station that broadcasts the traffic report.  Listening to it tell us it would be at least two hours before they would open the pass again!  What could we do but sit?  So we did.

We were ever so grateful when the traffic started to move, slow but sure!  Seeing the Exit sign below let us know we were making progress.  

You can see that the road is just slushy and wet.  It would have been fine had there not been cars to clear out!!

We got a huge laugh out of this sight as we went by.  Someone used their time to have a little fun!  I wonder if they sang "Do you wanna build a snowman?" the whole time they were building it.  Sadly, although that is a great song, my mind can't stop playing it once I hear it, even if hearing it means I just started singing it in my head, which is exactly what happens whenever I now see a snowman!  (And, yes, it is playing in my head even as I type!!  Stupid earworm!!)

What began as a 5 hour trip ended up taking 8 1/2 ish hours!  So long, but what can you do?  If the pass is closed, the pass is closed.  We were grateful to make it home safe and sound.

We did think of a few positives while we were sitting there

- Had we not gotten lost, we may have been in the spin outs and/or an avalanche

-The pass opened eventually (it was closed much of Tuesday)

- We had food, water and electronic devices to keep us busy

And unrelated to our very long car trip is this picture.  Trevor has been shopping for a bike (with much research and advice from Dallin) and found this at the bike store in Seattle.  He took it for a test run on Friday to some jumps off the walking path.  He only crashed once (over the handlebars, thank you very much) but came out of it unharmed.  He is a happy boy!  (He took it on a small ride up the street earlier in the week and a puncture weed found its way into his tire!  Liners and slime seem like a really good idea!)

And in other unrelated news, Amber informed me tonight that there are only 88 days until she leaves for her mission!!

This week's recap

Friday I was finally able to donate blood.  I tried 2 weeks ago - my iron was too low.  I didn't make it back the next week to try again.  The Monday after that, I went to the donation center and tried to be a walk-in.  They were busy and it would have been a long wait.  I signed up for the LCSC blood drive the next day.  I found a parking spot, no small feat, found the SUB, another big accomplishment, found the donation location, and was told the computers were really slow, and would I be able to wait?  I could for a bit, so I settled in with my book on my iPhone.  15 minutes later, they shut down the drive.  It was just going too slow!!  Arrrgghhh!  So...I went to the donation center yesterday as a walk-in again.  They had a spot for me, and they took my blood sample.  The first one was low, but they tried the other hand.  Success!!  I was in the range, and soon was hooked up to a bag collecting my blood!  Yay!  I have set a goal to donate 6 times this year, and I was running out of chances!!  So glad it worked out.

Its been snowing!  Thursday night it started, and we woke up to a blanket of white.  It stopped during the day, but this morning, we woke up to a fresh layer of snow.  John and Trev went to the Klondike Derby (winter campout with competition built in) and they had plenty of snow at the campground.  They got home safely with all of their fingers, toes and ears.  I knew they would be okay, but I was a bit worried they might get a little frostbite. In the end, all the scouts made it home, safe and sound.  Kristin has had some good driving in snow experience.  The sad thing for this mama is that in the past, we have dropped everything to make sure we take advantage of the snow, and get ourselves out to sled down the hill.  You can see from the picture that there is not a track to be found in our snow!  Sigh!!  Trevor was gone, and Kristin wasn't going to go without him.  Yet another sign that my kids are growing up!!

Speaking of which, it was Kristin's birthday this week.  Sweet sixteen!!  We had her family dinner Thursday.  The usual for her - Bulgogi, potatoes (two kinds), corn, crescent rolls from a can, jello and green pie (two this year)!!  Friday, I threw her a surprise party!  She said she was a little suspicious, but I think the girls popping out from behind the dining room table and out of the kitchen still surprised her.  Pizza + the Frozen soundtrack + a lot of noise + cell phones = a good time.  They didn't even want the hot fudge sundaes I had ready to go, they were enjoying themselves too much.

Guess who was Student of the Month for January?  So proud of him!  He is keeping up the tradition of being a great kid at the Jr. High.  You will note the name of the Jr. High.  Their mascot is the Braves.  Someone from the tribe proposed that the mascot should be changed, so it went before the school board.  Don't know how that went, I will be interested to see.  Apparently the mascot used to be the Savages, which I can see might be negative in some people's opinion.  I actually think Braves is pretty positive and not derogatory in any way.  It is surely not as un-politically correct as the Orofino Maniacs, so named because the Idaho State Mental hospital was located there for many years.  No one has ever complained about that???  Hmm...

Our son-in-law, Brandon is in Dubai for a training meeting sponsored by his employer.  Kristin knew about this man made island off the coast so we told Brandon to get a picture of it.  Little did we know he would actually be staying on it!  What other adventures are in store for him?  Who knows???

This little guy just keeps growing.  We are looking forward to him and his mom visiting for a week.  Chelsie got her tonsils out, so she'll be here with Carter while she recuperates for a  few days.  Such a sweetie!!

An experiment in dough...

We love the ciabatta rolls from our favorite warehouse club!  LOVE LOVE them.  (Well, I think most of us do anyway.  Some among my group my just really like them.)  Anyway...
Imagine my glee when I found this recipe in the King Arthur Flour catalog!!!

Of course, the name is different, but they look enough like the real thing to draw my attention.  I knew I had to try them.  The recipe starts with a biga, which is defined as the following...Biga is a type of pre-ferment used in Italian baking. Many popular Italian breads, such as ciabatta, are made using a biga. Using a biga adds complexity to the bread's flavour and is often used in breads which need a light, open texture with holes. .

My pre-ferment for Italian baking so my bread will have complex flavor and a light open texture with holes

You have to make it 12-20 hours in advance, so mine sat on my counter from about 4:30 yesterday afternoon until about 2:30 this afternoon, which appears to be 2 hours over the required time.  Oops.  Not off to a good start.  

I mixed up the rest of the ingredients (I thought) but my dough was very stiff and I ended up adding more water which was good, because I realized I left out the 1/2 tsp of yeast.  Hmm, is this project doomed?? 

The rising ciabatta

 After I added a little more water, with the yeast dissolved in it, it seemed more like it was supposed to be.  I let it proof for about 2 hours and then formed the rolls.  I thought I should make them smaller than was specified in the recipe, so I did.  Mistake #3.  (I am on a roll!  Ha, pun intended!!!)

They rose again, although, I wouldn't say they really got puffy.  But into the pre-heated oven on the pre-heated pizza stone they went.  

After they were done baking, I let them cool for a few minutes, and sliced one in half and tasted it.  They may not be pretty on the outside...

The finished product

but glory be, the inside looked just like I wanted it to.  The crust was a little too crisp on the bottom, but I am hoping that it will soften after they cool.  They were also a bit salty, but they tasted like they were supposed to!!  O happy day!!!  We'll have them with soup tomorrow for dinner!!  Soup seems appropriate since it is only supposed to get to 19 deg tomorrow, and the low will be 6!!!  Brr!

There is hope!!!

Will I make them again??  YES
Will I follow the directions more closely?  YES
Will I decrease the salt to about 1 1/2 tsp? YES
Will the recipe work better if I actually use 1/4 cup wheat flour in the biga?  MAYBE
Will any major characters on Downton Abbey die this season?  Oops, got off topic there. :)

Final analysis.  I doubt my ciabatta will ever look like Costco's, but these are easy enough and they turned out well enough, I will make them at least as many times as I would buy them.

Here is the recipe if anyone is interested in trying them.  (Courtesy King Arthur Flour Company)
Chewy Italian Rolls
BIGA
1 1/2 cups (6 1/4 ounces) all purpose flour
1/4 cup (1 oz) white whole wheat flour
1 cup (8 oz) water
1/8 tsp instant yeast

Mix all of the ingredients until well blended.  Cover the bowl, and let rest at room temperature for 12 to 20 hours, until the biga is very bubbly.

DOUGH
biga (See above)
2 1/2 cups (10 1/2 oz) all purpose flour
1/2 cup (4 oz) water
2 tsp salt (I will cut it down next time)
1/2 tsp instant yeast

Mix the biga with the remaining ingredients for 2 to 4 minutes, using an electric mixer set on slow speed.  Increase the mixer speed to medium, and mix for about 4 minutes; the dough will be soft and slightly sticky.  Add additional water or flour if necessary.
Let the dough rise, in a greased, covered bowl, for 1 to 2 hours, until very puffy.
Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface, and shape it into a 6 x 12 square.  Cut out 8 - 3 in. square rolls.  Place the rolls, floured side up, onto parchment paper.
Cover the rolls, and allow them to rise for 45 mins or until puffy.
Place a baking steel or stone in the top third of your oven, and preheat the oven to 450 deg.
Bake the rolls for 13 to 15 mins, until they are golden brow.  Remove them from the oven, and cool on a wire rack.
Yield - 8 rolls.

Ciao and Buon Appetito!!!  (Just a little nod to my Italian heritage!!)