Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Pretzel Time




To say that my daughter Bethany loves pretzels, is an understatement. Every time we go to the mall, without fail, she ask if we can go to Pretzel Time.



 
 
On her last week of school, she decided to make her very own pretzels. She had been looking at recipes over the internet and in my cookbook. I suggested to use the break maker, but she wanted to do it the old fashioned way.
 
 
 
 
 
There are a several steps to allow the dough to rise.




 
 
Bethany rolled out the dough, then made an egg wash before putting the pretzels into the oven.



 
 
She sprayed down the pan with a lot cooking spray before putting the pretzels into the oven.
 



 
 
As you can see they turned out very well! They were all gone by the next day.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

House Clock

 
A couple of years ago I started thinking about making a house shaped clock. I actually have had the piece of wood to make the clock for about a year or so. A few weeks ago I decided it was about time to put this idea together. Get it time!
 
I first painted an abstract image, then used my computer to alter the house a little and digitally create the roof design. I have a couple more designs that will be finished soon.
 
What do you think?

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Our Trip to Florida

The new station is so pretty.
 
 
Usually my family treks down to Florida for spring break, or just after the kids get out of school for the summer.  This year we headed to the sunshine state a few days after the end of the school year.
 
My mom lives in the Orlando area, in a city called Winter Park. She told me about the new Sun Rail that just opened up about a month ago. It is a light rail that goes by several towns north of downtown Orlando and a few exits south of the city. The plan is for the light rail to go down to the airport. We decided to take a ride for half of the route.
 
 
 
The station is also where the Amtrak comes thru.
 
 
 
 
 Michael and Jordan enjoying their ride.



 
 
After the train ride we strolled the shops of downtown Winter Park. One my absolute favorite galleries to visit is the Timothy Gallery. They have several local and national known fine arts and fine craftsman.
 
 
 
They have glassware, jewelry, clothing and all sorts of goodies.
 
 
 

 
My second favorite gallery is the Scott Laurent Collection. They have a lot of large paintings and other beautiful home décor.
 
 
 
 
The downtown as several hidden walkways with more wonderful stores.
 
 
 
 
Todd always knows I want to come to my old stomping grounds when I visit.
 
 
 
We also went to Cocoa Beach for the day. My daughter Bethany is enjoying the sun.
 
 
 

 We were just south of Port Canaveral. If you look off in the distance you will see two cruise ships. The first is a Carnival Cruise ship and the second a Disney Cruise ship.  The ships were literally only three miles away from us. It was neat watching them go further out to sea and head south to the Caribbean.

Our family thoroughly enjoyed our time visiting my mom!