You Done Good, Friend

Remember this post? Well, probably not, since many of you didn’t read my blog way back then.

I wrote it on March 17, 2010 – the day my breadmaker died.

Fortunately, later that week, my Fabulous Dude was able to fix the machine and get her workin’ again for me.

And once again, the delicious smell of homemade bread filled our home.

Until last Saturday when we were having a few of our friends over for dinner and I attempted to make braided bread to go with our chicken tortellini.

When the dough cycle completed, I lifted the lid to begin to knead and shape the dough but, sadly, what I saw was in no way, shape or form something that I would call acceptable dough.

It was crumbly and in little pieces. Clearly, it had not mixed properly.

This weekend, the Dude took a look at the machine to see what was up.

And then, he delivered the most heart breaking news.

My breadmaker has reached a point of no return.

Sadness.

As I say goodbye to my faithful companion, all I can say is, “You Done Good, Friend”.

Because my trusty sidekick stuck with me for the entirety of two years and one month. And although that may not seem like very long, for a machine that was used at least 2-3 times per week, I’d say it’s pretty good.

I would say I got my money’s worth (er, um, my mother-in-law’s money worth – Christmas present!).

This is the machine that transformed our home from one that consumed a ridiculous amount of store bought bread products to one that consumes mostly homemade products. In fact, for the entire year of 2009, the only thing we ever purchased was one package of tortillas and one package of bagels. Every other bread product we ate in our home was made in my trusty little machine.

So now, I will begin looking for a new machine to take up residence in the empty corner of my kitchen where my old bread machine once stood.

The search is on!

a sad day

Yesterday was a sad day.

In the morning, I did what I do on most Monday and Tuesday mornings.

I organized and measured my ingredients for whole wheat bread.

I dumped it all in the bread maker.

I set the machine for the dough cycle.

And then I sat down and got to work, knowing that in one hour and fifty minutes my dough would be ready to be kneaded, shaped, risen and baked.

I sat in silence, waiting for the 15 minute rest period to end, and the mixing to begin.

And when it did, I heard the most pitiful sound I have ever heard.

The sound of a broken bread maker trying to mix dough.

I knew this day was coming.

Over the past month or so, my bread maker has sounded like an over worked machine, working harder and harder each time it is instructed to do it's job.

I knew one of these days, I would turn it on, and it would tell me that it quit.

And yesterday, that day came.

My bread maker told me "I have had enough. I quit".

Even though I knew it was coming, I felt let down.

I screamed at my bread maker "Come on, you can do it! Just one more loaf!"

So, I reset it, and tried again.

And again, after the 15 minute resting period, the machine let me know that it would not be mixing another loaf of bread.

Thankfully, the FD's aunt rescued me and lent me her bread maker until I can either find a good sale on one or the FD can fix my old one.

Apparently, these things weren't made to be used multiple times a week.

Apparently, I worked my baby too hard.

So, farewell, dear bread maker.

You've done good.

House a Home Challenge and Giveaway is here!

If you haven't read about my House a Home Challenge and giveaway yet, go here and check it out.

I had a lot of fun thinking of the top 10 things that make my house a home. It was actually more difficult than I expected but it made me stop and reflect on the memories we've made in our home and the special things that are attached to those memories. In no particular order...

1. The fireplace. We absolutely love our fireplace. We use it as our primary source of heat for the most part. I think this winter we (I) only turned the baseboards on once. I often forget to keep the fire going during the day when I'm working at home and find myself shivering my buns off so I have caved and turned the heat on a few times. But aside from a cheap way to heat our home, the fireplace offers a very relaxing atmosphere in our wee home. In the fall, I look forward to having our first fire. Many of my best memories involve being curled up on the couch under a warm blanket, drinking mint hot chocolate and laughing with the hubby.


2. Rooster measuring cups. The theme in my kitchen is roosters and these measuring cups came from my Grandmother's kitchen. My passion for cooking, baking and all things domestic was strongly inspired by this amazing woman and so it is only fitting that I would prominently display something of hers in my own kitchen. They remind me daily of the lessons she taught me.


3. Our dining room table. This table is more than a table to me. This is the place where I feed my family and my friends. This is the place where my husband and I meet at the end of the work day and discuss our day's events. Because we live in a small apartment, this table has become very multi-functional. This is where I do my homework all day, play games with my SIL and friends, scrapbook and eat.This is also one of the first of many projects that the hubby completed for our home. See the chair cushions? He covered them with the fabric from the curtains at our first apartment. Good thing one of us is handy.


4. The garden. Last year we planted a garden for the first time and quickly decided that it is something we'd like to do each year. There is such a sense of accomplishment to harvesting your own vegetables. I am eager to get a much larger garden planted this year so that I will be able to preserve food for the winter months as well as share our bounty with our loved ones.



5. Magnetic weekly calendar. Yes, I'm serious. This made the top 10. I'm sure you've mostly all gathered by now that I'm an organizational freak. Being organized makes me so happy. This calendar is one of the first purchases I made when we took possession of our first apartment and I have loved it ever since. It cost a ridiculous amount, I think. I can't remember but something tells me I paid like 24.99 for it or something crazy like that. But, it has been worth every single penny. Each section is its own piece, so at the end of each week, I wipe it off and move it to the bottom. I love always having the current week at the top and having an entire month at a glance. So now if you're looking for me at any time in the next month, you will know where to find me.


6. The beloved bread machine. In one of my Q&A posts I revealed that this is my most loved kitchen tool. Since I started making all of my own bread products in the new year, I have come to rely on this baby so much. I use it anywhere from 2-5 times per week. I get so much joy from trying new recipes. Being in the kitchen is like therapy for me. When I am stressed or overwhelmed, it helps me to take a few minutes to be by myself in the kitchen baking something. This bread machine has become a real part of our home.


7. The hope chest and quilt. For many many years, long before we were dating, the fabulous dude promised me that someday he'd build me a hope chest. This year for Christmas he did just that. The love and time that he put in to building this is incredible. It is something I will truly cherish for the rest of my life and that I will hope to pass on to future generations. On the end of my bed just above the hope chest is my favourite quilt, that he also gave me as a gift. It says "Home Sweet Home", "Home is Where the Heart Is" and "There's No Place Like Home" around the border with pictures of houses on it. It is cozy and warm and captures the essence of the way I feel about my home. I really feel that these two pieces go together because they are symbolic of the home that we have made together.

8. Deacon's Bench. The bench pictured below was built for us as a wedding gift by my Grandfather. There is something about a hand made piece of furniture that is so special. Nothing can top this. My grandfather passed away a few months ago and instantly the value I place on this bench has increased. Like the measuring cups from my grandma, this piece reminds me of my grandfather's strength and love everyday. It is something I will cherish for the years to come and will pass on to my children and their children along with stories and memories of my grandpa. It is located near the entrance to our apartment and is coupled with our wedding photo, a stone sculpture we got on our honeymoon and a stand that says "Love Life". This area of my home reminds to me stop and think about what's really important everyday. (This photo also made me realize that the wedding picture is a wee bit crooked).


9. Scrapbooks. My scrapbooks document so much of our life together. They are symbolic of all the memories we have made as we have grown together as a family. (P.S. I am always eager to show them off, so for any of those who know me in real life, I'd love to show them to you at ANY time).

10. My family. My home would not be complete without my family. And, although my family is very small right now, I look forward to adding to it as the years go by. Right now it's just me, the fabulous dude and Nika. My hubby is my best friend and my partner in everything. We have laughed, cried, suffered, fought, loved and learned in the few short years that we've been together. We have welcomed a teeny tiny puppy into our home who is no longer so teeny tiny. We have moved. We have started new jobs. We have graduated. We have gone back to school. We have failed. We have achieved. We have lost. We have gained. We have learned so much from each other and made so many memories here -- and that's what makes this house a home.

(Yes we actually dressed her up like this and made her sit for a photo. Then the hubby thought it would be funny to photoshop himself in there. So, thanks to my bro for this lovely photo. They look alike, don't you think?).

So, there you have it. Those are the things that make my house a home. Now let me see what you all have come up with. Mr. Linky will be open until next Wednesday, April 22 at 9 pm. At that time I will draw the name of one lucky winner to pick their prize (which can be seen here).

Here are the rules:
1. Write a post documenting the top 5-10 things that make your house a home.
2. Linky directly back to this post (I'm sorry - but I will delete those who don't).
3. Leave a comment and let me know if you have placed my button on your sidebar and/or written a post advertising this giveaway (one extra entry for each).

Q&A - Answers Part Two

The questions have kept coming and so will the answers. This is a blast. You can see my answers to the first round of questions that readers asked me here. As long as you keep asking, I'll keep answering.

Holly asked: "What are you doing your graduate work in, and what are your career plans when you're done?"

Answer: I am currently working on a Master of Arts degree in Child and Youth studies. What exactly is that, you ask? Well, I'm not sure. It's an interdisciplinary department that explores children and youth through the lenses of psychology, sociology, anthropology, cultural studies, media studies, women's studies etc. My research kind of takes on the sociological/cultural studies/media/women's studies approach and looks at "Smart Girls" in high school. Specifically, I look at how two dominant ways of speaking about girls (as either victimized and oppressed and as empowered and confident) shape their experiences in their classrooms. It's all quite interesting to me. My career plans? Don't ask. I really don't have a clue what I'm going to be when I grow up. The program is not an education degree. After my undergrad degree in Child and youth, most people go on to teacher's college but after working as an assistant in a JK/SK class and doing placements in primary school, I decided teaching is not for me. There are many options available with my degree but I haven't really narrowed in on where I want to go. So, we'll see where the Lord takes me once this step is done.

Anon asked: "What is your favourite Sunday of the month? The first, second, third, fourth or if you're lucky, fifth?"

Answer: Well, that's obvious. The fifth one of course. Thanks for asking.

Anon asked: "Who do you think is a better person? Katie or Amy?"

Answer: Depends on who is the one asking all these strange questions. Whichever one is asking, the opposite one is a better person.

Anon asked: Where does your sister fit into your description of best friends? Or is she in a class all on her own?

Answer: I have no idea what this really means but I'm going to go with a class of her own. My sister is bizarre and she can't be compared to anyone else. But she does rock my world.

Kristin (my sister) asked: "If you could do one thing with your nephew what would it be?"

Answer: At this moment? Snuggle and dance with him. I miss that lil gaffer so much. Eight hours is too far apart. At any time during my life? I would love to take him to the zoo someday.

Snow White asked: "What is your favorite ingredient to cook with? What's your most loved cooking tool in the kitchen?"

Answer: My favorite ingredient is mushrooms. I put mushrooms in nearly every main dish I cook. If the recipe doesn't call for mushrooms, I find a way to add them. I'm sure you're not surprised about this answer if you read this post. A close second is cumin. It is my absolute favorite spice. Oh yeah, and chocolate is pretty grand as well (as I devour a Dark chocolate mint lindor from my secret stash). My most loved cooking tool in the kitchen...? How dare you ask me to choose just one. I wouldn't want to hurt the feelings of any of other things. I actually use most(all) of my "special" kitchen tools and appliances. I think that's just because I have tons of cupboard space and so everything is easily accessible. In our old place, a lot of my not-so-common kitchen tools were in storage and I hardly ever lugged them out. But here, I have everything within reach. So, my most loved ... I think I have to go with ....

...the bread machine. To the rest of my precious kitchen tools/appliances/gadgets, please know that Mama still loves you.

I hope you all have a fantastic Easter weekend. Enjoy your time spent with your family and friends and don't eat TOO much! We are spending the long weekend with the FD's family. He was going to go on his own and I was going to stay home to get some more work done but a few nights ago our 2 1/2 year old neice called to talk to me and said "I love you to my house now". I think the translation is "I'd love for you to come to my house please". Who can say no to that cuteness?