Thursday, April 30, 2026

Thursday Schlotsky bread recipe

 

 Hi Everyone!

Here is the Schlotsky's bread recipe.
  
internet image.
You will need;
I/2C warm water 110°F/45°C 
1 T white sugar, 2 1/4 t dry yeast 
1/4 t baking soda, 
1 1/2 t warm water temp as above 
3/4C warm milk temp as above
1/2 t salt, 2 1/2C flour, 2 T cornmeal.
 
1. In a small bowl stir together the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir to dissolve and set aside.  
2. In a large bowl dissolve baking soda with the 1 1/2 teaspoons warm water. Add the warm milk, salt, and one cup of the flour. Beat with a wire whisk until smooth. Beat in yeast mixture and remaining flour. Batter should be thick, sticky, and smooth.
 
3. Prepare 2 pie pans ( or bread pans) with non-stick spray. Dust pans with cornmeal. Place 1/2 dough in each pie pan. Batter will spread during rising time. Spray top of dough with non-stick cooking spray. Cover and let rise for one hour.   
 
4. Repeat spraying of bread with non-stick cooking spray. Bake in a preheated 375 degree F (190 degrees C) for 20 minutes.
 
The recipe reads to allow to cool for 1 hour before slicing. Ha ha ha that doesn't work in my house. Nothing better than home made, warm bread and butter.  
 If baked in a pie pan it should look something like this. 
image from the internet
I'm gong to have to find some small pie pans to bake this bread in. 
If you give it a try let me know how you like it. 
Have a great day 
Nicole
 

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Wednesday Baking

 Hi Everyone! 
Every once in awhile I just have to bake. Yesterday was that day. My daughter sent me a recipe for Schlotzsky's bread. If you don't know Schloitzsky's, it is by far the best deli ever and it's the bread that makes it.
The bread is light, airy and just the right chewy texture. The direction say to bake it in a pie pan but every time I've tried that it didn't work out. This single batch I baked in a glass bread pan. The bread is pale on top but it is done and ohhhh sooooo good.
 
I had some Mexican squash that needed to be used. I decided to make some sweet bread with it. I added molasses and lots of spices besides cinnamon.  
 
so moist and delish. Most of it went to my neighbors. 
Last by not least a plate of chocolate chip cookies for Mr.M. At the time of this photo they were still warm.
That's my baking for now.
Have a great day
Nicole 

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Tuesday Birthday

 Hi Everyone!
Thank you for all of the birthday wishes. At this age I don't expect or really want a birthday gift or party. However, Mr. M. is just too tricky. He told me we had to go to Walmart. Uhhhggg. For us it's an hour drive. Now we don't really shop Walmart, but there are things there that we can't get anywhere else. Mr. M. drove and as we got close to Walmart he turned on a road that was between Walmart and Staples. He turned into Staples. I asked, "What do you need here"? He said, "Nothing. You need a new computer chair." This is what I got.
It is the yummy red color I love. Much darker than in the photo. The stitching is too cool. 
Then we stopped at Harbor Freight. 
Why? Because a girl can never have too many screw drivers. LOL
I also received a beautiful candle warmer from my daughter. 
The lamp warms the candle to release the fragrance. 
My SIL sent me a large jar of Australian Black Licorice. 
And my Son and DIL sent me a art supplies.
 I received so many emails and texts and comments of well wishes and love. 
I am blessed.
Ohhh and let us not forget google wishing me a happy birthday too. LOL
 Nicole 

Monday, April 27, 2026

Monster Monday

 Welcome to 
I'm sorry about yesterday. We had a family emergency that sent us out of town. I'm hoping all will turn out OK. 
It isn't with me or Mr. M. Thank the gods. In addition thank you all for your good wishes
 
Also, It's my birthday.
Yep, 74 and still kickin'.
 
These monsters are very grotesque so for those of you who like the pretties scan on down quickly.
  



Now for some pretties.

 


Here is the thoughtful grandmas
 

And for those of you who like flowers
 

That's it for now
Have a nice Monday
 Nicole

Saturday, April 25, 2026

No SITAR

I'm sorry due to family circumstances beyond my control there is no 
This week.

Nicole 

Cowboy Caviar

 Hi Everyone!
 
Yesterday, I met up with my neighbors. It was my turn to host and since we were meeting later in the day, I thought I would bring more than sweets to go with coffee or tea.
I made Cowboy Caviar. I did change it up a bit but it was delish.
Have you ever made it or eaten it?
 
Add some corn chips and you have a meal.
In addition you can pretty much add whatever you want in this dish. 
 Here is the recipe.
3 Roma tomatoes remove seeds and dice.
2 avocados diced, I added these just before serving. 
1/4 cup red onion diced 
1 can black beans rinse and drained
1 can black eyes peas rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cups for frozen or canned corn. If it's frozen thaw thoroughly.
1 bell pepper any color seeds removed
1 jalapeno seeds removed. 
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro 
Note:
I did not add the jalapeno or the cilantro. I used Mexican Oregano, I used red and sweet onion and added small diced celery and small cubes of colby jack cheese.
I also use black beans and pinto beans. 
 The sauce.
1/3 cup olive oil, I used grapeseed oil.
2 Tablespoons line juice. I used lemon juice.
2 tablespoons red wind vinegar
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder.
Again I added some ground cumin, and a bit of chili powder.
Put all of the vegetables in a bowl. In a smaller bowl make the dressing, then pour over veggies and stir well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. I made mine the night before.
 
Hope you try and like it.
Nicole

Friday, April 24, 2026

Friday Face OFF Portrait Challenge

 Welcome to
I'm so excited to see what everyone has created. The challenge is to create a face with one or more or all of these expressions.
Happy, Sad, Tired, Surprised or/and angry.
In addition, the challenge is optional and I look forward to seeing your posts that have faces in them.
So on with the show.
 
I decided since I'm hosting the Challenge I should create all of the expressions.
The first one is, Happy
I drew her yesterday and don't have any progression photos. She was done in a hurry. Click on her to see more detail.
 

I did leave the nose ring off. 
 
Next is Sad.
 


 
Next is Tired.




This was so much fun to draw
Surprised.
 
Is he a cutie or what?

Last is Anger 
 



That's it for my FFO portrait challenge art pieces. I hope you enjoyed them. 
Don't forget SITAR
 
Sharing with Gillena 
 
Now it's your turn to show me your face.
 Nicole

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Crazy shoes

Hi Everyone!
 
Years ago I used to show crazy shoes. I will admit it, I am a shoe hoarder. Even though my high heel days are over with I still like looking at them. Then, there are just stupid shoes like these. 







You know I couldn't resist these. 

 

 
These are my favorites

And these.

And of course these.
Well that's it for shoes.
 
I will keep reminding all the fabulous artists out there that this Friday is 
The face or faces must have one of these expressions. 
Happy, Sad, Tired, Surprised and or Anger. 
 
 This challenge is completely optional. Join in with a blog post that has a face in it. Any kind of face qualifies.
I'm looking forward to seeing all the faces.
 
Have a great day today 
 Nicole