Recording a protein experiement

In the middle of preparing for Thanksgiving, I found myself with an orphaned cup of pumpkin puree.  After having made many batches of pumpkin and banana bread recently it seemed a better idea to make a batch of protein bars but my old recipe only used half a cup.  Here is today's version and after it finishes baking I'll edit this post with the verdict.


Pumpkin Protein Biscotti Bars

3 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 1/2 cups instant nonfat dry milk
1 1/2 cups Bob's Red Mill TVP (textured vegetable protein)
4 scoops vanilla protein powder
1/4 cup ground flaxseed meal
1 tablespoon Saigon Cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 cup egg whites (refrigerated Egg Beater brand)
1/2 cup sugar free Pumkin Pie Spice coffee syrup (such as DaVinci or Torani)
1/2 cup sugar free Pancake coffee syrup (Davinci brand)
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup apple cider
1 cup craisins

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Prepare a 10x 14 baking dish by spraying with nonstick spray.  By hand, mix all ingredients in a very large Tupperware bowl until well blended.  Pour into baking dish spreading to edges and smoothing top.  Bake 30 minutes or until top is dry and edges are lightly golden.  Remove from oven and cool in pan 10 minutes.  Turn onto a cooling rack and allow to cool completely.  Cut into 24 bars.  Place on a cookie sheet with each bar on it's side and bake 15 minutes at 350 degrees.  Cool and store in a well-sealed container or freeze.

1st edit:  I forgot that to make nice-looking 'biscotti' you need to trim the outside edges too so they will all be uniform and face upward for the 2nd baking.  After putting these in the oven the first time I reviewed my other (Almond Protein Biscotti in the sidebar listing) one and found that in that one I did the 2nd baking 20 minutes.  For an experiment I'm going to bake 10 minutes on each side.  A little more fussing but it might give me more crisp edges.

From the side trimmings I tasted (hey, I couldn't let them go to waste!) these are going to be very satisfying! Might even have to go all out and do the little bit of melted white chocolate coating.  I have been saving my  last two Amber Lyn's sugar free white chocolate bars just for something special. http://www.amberlynchocolatestore.com/build-a-box-p/build-a-box.htm

2nd edit:  These turned out so tasty that I have ordered another box of sugar free white chocolate.  I love having that backup for projects like this.  Though...the biscotti aren't crunchy like I'd hoped and remembered.  Guess they should have a longer bake time both times.  Oh well, they are yummy and very filling for the calories!  Win/Win!

Purple on Friday for Violet

Friday I'll be joining friends from Sugar Pie Farmhouse in wearing purple to commemorate the too-short life of a sweet baby girl who was the daughter of another member of that community. Her family will be holding the memorial service that morning and hopefully the whole room will be awash in purple. Since I'm not very technologically advanced, I'll post a document here of a little tag I'm going to print and wear to work that day too in case any others from the message board would like to do the same.

Thinking of my baby

So we are nearing the final days before Elizabeth's wedding and of course I am thinking more and more nostalgically about her childhood and how rapidly it has passed. Seems like in the blink of an eye I was the one getting married and ready to begin married life and now my time is passed and it is her time. And since we need to get some old pictures scanned for a potential reception slide show it is a good time to revisit sweet old memories. My whole world changed 23 years ago and now it is ready to change again, wow....The first time getting to hold my baby girl...
The first person to hold her hand was her daddy. And soon he will take her hand and place it in the hand of her fiance...
Sweet baby days and dressing up in pretty pinks....
Her first big ceremony was her baptism day. With her godparents, Greg and Doreen Takisaki, praying for her and us...
Loved, loved, loved by her great-grandma Gertrude. Oh how that woman loved her grand- and great-grand babies. I miss her so much and know she will be watching from heaven as Elizabeth marries her love, Eric.
Her first big white gown was her white baptismal gown...Elizabeth with Grandma and Grandpa Noyes who will be there to watch as she marries.
And Gammy and Papa Spradley who will be there watching too.
And for fun...Chris Phelps who was the alter boy at our wedding and came to support us as we baptised Elizabeth and just this past year has become a daddy himself to his sweet little Grace.

Life is amazing....

Curious

Do you have a specific way you try to live your life?

The last few years, I've tried to live my life in such a way that if I were to suddenly no longer be here, people would be glad they knew me and sorry that I was gone.

Is that narcissistic or stupid?

My cousin is gone and even though we haven't stayed together properly as a family (think just weddings and funerals type) it is wonderful to read comments on her obituary guest-book page that show people were really touched by her life and the impact she made in the brief time she was here. Too brief. She was only 58.

People were glad to know her and sorry she is gone.

More Wedding Work

Here are some photos of a little that has been accomplished already. With my sister, Amy's, help we made about 180 (if my count is correct) of these organza flower pins as gifts for guests at the wedding. They will be attached to the flatware/napkin bundles we'll put together and be placed at each setting to also decorate the table. The tutorial I used was from White Flower Farm and so helpful! http://the-white-bench.blogspot.com/2010/09/organza-flowers-tutorial.html

Mine came out different (of course, anything handcrafted will be unique) and each one is different from the next. Half of them are orange (not pictured, sorry) and half are these cranberry/reddish blends. I think the tables will be so pretty! Hopefully everybody will notice that these are pins and not throw them away with their napkins. ::eek::

Also I'll post a picture of the prototype of the silk pomander balls that I'll be making to hang from a ribbon to line the wedding aisle and then be placed atop vases to use for centerpieces. Again, half of them will be orange and half will be cranberry-colored. (Do you see the wedding photo behind the Pom? That is my Grandma and Granddad Noyes on their wedding day!)

The scheduled DIY's for this month are all silk-flower related so it is time to get busy!

"How's the wedding planning going?"

Recently a bride asked how other brides respond to that question on a popular wedding-related website. (Not that I read those often or anything, mind you.) The answers ranged from being irritated at being asked, being open, being politely brief and non-committal. As the Mother of the Bride I find myself getting asked that a lot too. So I thought I'd post my to-do list here along with the things that are done. (Highlighted in green.) Undoubtedly there will be more to add later...things like sewing a cover-up jacket and also a shawl for my dress. (weather contingencies) Who knows what else but for now: here's how the wedding planning is going. And this is just *my* to-do list...doesn't include all the things Elizabeth, Eric and his family are doing too.

Also, I'm going to try to upload a copy of the idea board we made from wonderful wedding photos on the internet.

August edit: I have tried and tried to go back to the text here and turn all the finished project listings green but it won't let me. So you have to take my word that except for the photo wall, assembling the napkin bundles and the banners things are right along schedule. It is crunch time now and hopefully all of that will get done in the next 20 or so days. There is a LOT of work ahead!

Molly’s Wedding To-Do Timeline

January:

Make timeline for to-do lists

February:

Make organza flowers (Thank you Amy for sewing the beads!)

March:

Sew Table Runners

Order Dinner Napkins

Hem wedding dress/ arrange for bustle (bet this is not going to happen this month)

Make tissues of joy packets

Make table number signs

April:

Construct Bridesmaid’s Bouquets

Construct Silk Boutonnières (no longer a project...they will be fresh purchased by Eric's mom)

Begin Pom Balls (16)

May:

Plant Catering Garden (basil, tomato, zucchini)

Plant marigolds for aisle bumpers

Construct Photo Booth wall (started)

Enlarge top on alter podium, paint white

Paint Couple Facts picture frames

Paint Candy Bar/buffet frames

June:

Bake cookies and freeze

Assemble napkin/flatware bundles (started)

Begin buying fresh candy (create list for labels)

Sew Bridesmaid’s Swag Bags---oops, hope they don't read this

July:

Signage

Table centerpieces for cake table, welcome table, buffet

Buy Sparklers (Elizabeth and Eric did this)

August:

Create ribbon streamers for pavilion

Papel Picado banners for pavilion

Bunting Banners

September:

Buy food at Costco (beverages, Eric's family is having catering done by Trezzi Farms...is that not extremely generous?!)

Finalize food team plans and create lists

Finalize décor team plans and create lists

Prep, pack, label boxes and instructions for transport to venue (started)

Assemble emergency kits (garments, bathrooms, décor installation) (started)

October:

Begin selling wedding items

Merry Christmas from the Santa Hat Factory!

This has been a grueling season in the retail world so far and not the best Christmas ever. However...that is only work. The rest of life has been so blessed lately. Meetings with old friends and new ones, having both of my kids at home after such a long time (even if they are too old for calling kids now and are rarely physically here at the same time...still!) enjoying our cozy little home during the recent bad storms. And: CRAFTING!

The last few weeks I've actually been busting out the crafting and really, really enjoying it. Seems like forevah since I've done a big project that was silly and not for a designated purpose. (Ahem, like the organza flowers....) I'll get a few pictures posted so you and I can both see just how many little goodies have been made so far. (last count was 36) If I were really organized I pop up a tutorial but honestly...that isn't gonna happen. I could list a few instructions and if anybody is interested they can figure it out pretty easily.

The fabric is a mid-weight poly satin from JoAnn's with a sparkle to it. I used a plain old cheapie wall clock for my template because a dinner plate was too big and a salad plate was too small. ::shrug:: Trace around the circle, cut out the fabric and then cut it into 4 quarters. Bring the cut edges together and stitch on that edge. Turn it inside out and you have the basis of your Santa hat!

From there I hot glued on a white pom-pom ball and then either hot glued on Mirabeau feather trim or stitched on a white shiny velour or fur cuff for the 'brim'. After that I had fun applying a variety of different trims and then glued on a barrette bottom to the underside. Have to say that I was inspired by a talented Etsy seller and loved her concept and pictures. A quick trip through the glue setter /aka freezer, and the things are all humming along.

So many projects! The big floral R still has to have some smaller flowers applied to the inside to finish it off but it was fun giving it to Eric and Elizabeth this Christmas. I hope it will be a fond reminder of their wedding for a few more years.

Some of the ones I made were really traditional, some country-styled, some very rock n' roll. It has been fun allowing myself this play time and probably very good practice to rev up my DIY skills before the really BIG crafting begins after the bridal show in January. (I'm on mother-of-the-bride DIY vacation right now.)

It is gonna be baby girl's last Christmas at home with us and I hope it will be a fun one for her. Next year is going to be such a different Christmas but I'm really looking forward to the changes!