A Sunday Smile

The shadow of the log home is the only snow left

Waking up this morning (hour earlier than usual) to the time change was a real downer.  Then opening the blinds put a big Clara "smile on my face".  That line is for the Toby Keith fans out there ;)  It really did make me smile, my winter mode kicked in at that very moment.  The stove looked so cozy (even though it's gas and not real logs) and Dick had already fixed coffee.  Sipping coffee, watching the horses enjoying the brisk fresh air and thinking, this is the life.  Smokey and Gracie probably feel the same way I do.  They spent quite a while running, bucking and chasing each other.  Just something about living in the snow belt.  I bet come the first snowfall I could move into a cabin far from roads and seeing other houses.  Weird I know but there is just something so peaceful and spiritual about the idea.  Today was one of those days to reflect on what I love and appreciate.  We made a batch of soft German Pretzels to go with homemade ring bologna, smoked Swiss Cheese and homemade spicy mustard Amber gave us.  It reminded us both of Germany and how much we would like to go back.  I'm sure in the last 25 years it has changed as much as our own USA, besides I don't want to miss winter.

After we finished our lunch we bundled up and headed to the back field and woods.  Dick has been setting out bait for the coyotes.  One of these times they will get a real surprise!  Lucky them to get the special overly ripe meat that has been setting in a special can in a special place and no not in the house.  While Dick set the bait the dogs and I walked around and finally sat down where the woods and field meet.  It has been a bit windy in the valley but even so it was nice to see the dead grasses blowing, almost like brown waves going across the field.   I was actually listening to the wind going through the bare trees on the hill and seeing beauty in it all.  The sun was starting to drop behind the hill casting shadows on half of the valley.  With the clear blue sky and bright warm sunshine the snow is still in places that never saw sun today.

We talked of fixing my x-country skis which is exciting to think I have the strength, mobility and want to ski.  Last April I thought I never would but thanks to my son's determination not to give up on me until I said, ok I'll strength train. For that I am forever grateful.  Dead Lifts, presses and squats have made me a believer.  I actually get  excited at the beginning of the week to add more weight!  Twice a week, that's it.

Here's the German pretzels/rolls because we rolled some to thick and they were more like rolls.  Either way they are delicious and not too time consuming.  I got carried away with the coarse salt!  Next time much less.

German Soft Pretzel Recipe:
1 pkg yeast in large bowl with 1 tsp. sugar and 1/4 cup warm milk, let it set for 15 min.
Then add 1 cup warm milk, 1 tsp salt, 3 TBSP butter and 2 cups of flour, add more flour to make a soft dough.  Knead on a floured board for 5 min.   Let raise 30 minutes.   Take hunks of dough and roll into thin rope about 12" long.  make a pretzel shape and place on greased baking sheet  This recipe makes 6 big pretzels or 12 small ones.  Let them raise for 1 hour.  Bring to boil 4 cups of water, stir in 3 TBSP of baking soda ( one at a time as it boils up quickly)  Place pretzels in soda water for 30 seconds, drain and put back on greased baking sheet, sprinkle with coarse salt and bake at 410 until golden brown.  They are delicious and the real deal!