Rain, Rain, Go Away...

We are so tired of the rain. We're itching for some warm weather, and this looks like the perfect fix. We can hardly wait to feel the warm red sand between our toes and the sun on our shoulders!

Not yet...

Is it possible that school is almost over? Another year has flown by, and the kids are already sad about leaving their teachers. It has been such a great year.


Dylan's class is in the middle of their economics unit. Each student was in charge of contributing to the "community". Parents were invited to visit Tiny Town. The kids thought of everything...even a cemetary! Dylan (with Luke's help) made the Energy Solutions Arena, complete with the Jazz Bear, and a Subaru dealership.


Izzy invited me along on her class field trip. We went to Red Butte Garden to learn about plants and animals. We had the opportunity to hike to the old stone house. I overheard one of the students say, "Wow. Can you believe cave men used to live here!?" So funny.

Pretzels

This afternoon we're making a batch of homemade soft pretzels. Every time I make these, Izzy and Dylan inhale them. They like to help roll them into ropes and twist them into the pretzel shape. The kids eat them plain, but I like to dip mine in my friend Debbie's 3-2-1 honey mustard:

3T mayo
2T yellow mustard
1T honey

Give them a try! For a printable recipe, click here.

Soft Pretzels

Ingredients

2 1/4 teaspoons dry active yeast (1/4 ounce)
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
2 teaspoons sugar
1 cup warm water
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for surface
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
Vegetable oil, for baking sheets
3 tablespoons baking soda
1 tablespoon pretzel salt
Assorted mustards, for serving
Directions

Mix yeast, coarse salt, sugar, and warm water in a small bowl, whisking until sugar dissolves. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.

Mix flour and cayenne in a large bowl. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut butter into flour until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Slowly pour yeast mixture over flour mixture, stirring to combine. Using your hands, gather dough together. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead until it is no longer sticky, about 5 minutes. Cover with plastic, and let rise for 30 minutes.

Cut dough into 12 pieces, and roll each into an 18-inch rope. Form a U shape with 1 rope, and twist ends together twice. Fold twisted portion backward along center of U shape to form a circle, then gently press ends of rope onto dough to seal. Transfer to an oiled baking sheet, and repeat. Let rise for 20 minutes.

Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and add baking soda. Boil pretzels in batches until puffed and slightly shiny, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer to wire racks to drain. Return to baking sheet, sprinkle with pretzel salt, and bake until golden brown and cooked through, about 15 minutes. Pretzels will keep, uncovered, at room temperature for up to 12 hours. Rewarm in a 250-degree oven if desired, and serve with mustards.

Cook's Note

To save time, store-bought bread dough can be used in place of homemade; start at step 4

Go Braves!

Bucky played in his first little league baseball game tonight. He is on cloud nine! It was beautiful weather, his grandma and grandpa came all the way from Logan to watch, and he got a churro...does it get any better? He had his aunt, uncle, and cousins cheering him on from the bleachers, too. Luke even snuck away from his duties at the Jazz game to watch the first couple innings. What a great night!

Here he is playing 2nd:


At the plate. Looking good!

Moab

Luke did an amazing job in the half marathon again this year. Izzy snapped this photo as he came across the finish line. I was busy with the video camera, catching the big finish. Too bad I didn't push record. It would have been some great footage.
We had a great time in Moab, however, the cold weather seems to follow us wherever we go. It was supposed to be 70 degrees while we were there, but it was so cold that we had to bundle up to go outside. Rain in California, and cold wind in Moab...we are in desperate need of some sunshine!

Baseball Try-outs

Dylan had baseball try-outs on Saturday. We were so proud of him! He did a great job. Luke played second base in college, and I spent a good chunk of my teenage life at the ball diamond, so we're loving it. We're excited for Dylan to try something new, and can't wait to cheer him on!
(My favorite part of the video clip is when Dylan slides into first AND third. Such an awesome kid.)

Magical