Well, Hello There Monday

Hello, Saturday AM at 7am.
Hello, let's take the Schnoodle for a walk.
To the sister's house and check a package since she is out of town.
Hello, disappointed Schnoodle, nobody is home.

Hello, train tracks.

Hello, clean house, lemony fresh, scrubbed floors, dishes, shower, toilet.

Hello, Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve.

Hello, hiking combined with complete paranoia of mountain lions and poison oak.
Let's add bee stings and going into anaphylactic shock to that at the halfway point.
Imaginations run wild.

Hello, contemplating how long it would take emergency services to reach me.
Hello, understanding why they teach the buddy system in Girl Scouts.
Hello, buddy who can't dial 9-1-1.

Hello, off leash dog area.
WAY better than Fort Funston.

Hello, ears all the way back, listening very well.
Good puppy.

Hello, Frappucino happy hour with mom.
Hello, sitting side by side playing draw something.

Hello, Sunday morning.
Hello, swapping duties.
Hello, PowerPoint.
Goodbye PowerPoint.
Hello, Timmy.
Thanks for fixing my epic fail, sorry I let you down.

Hello, Sunday after church shenanigans with these two.

Hello, Mylie and Chloe.
Get ready to play.

Hello, "let's pretend we're dog owners and we can do all of the things dog owners do".

Goodbye Chloe, how come you are hiding under the coffee table?

Hello, one more stroll by the apartment for packages.
Hello, disappointed Schnoodle once again.

Goodbye weekend.

Hello, Monday.

Saying hello with Lisa. 

April. Done. Insta-ntaneously!

April is gone.
See ya first third of 2012.
It's been swell.

Four months into the year - and I'm 33% through my Bible in a year plan.
I write this just to share my excitement, and to keep track for myself.
As of April 30th, I've read Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, 1st Corinthians, 2nd Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1st Thessalonians, 2nd Thessalonians, 1st Timothy, 2nd Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.
Kind of awesome.

I only did one photo challenge this month - slightly less stressful.
At one third through the year, I really, REALLY hope to get 12 months of these badboys on the books!

Here is what April looked like in photos!

Linking up with Jeannett:

PinterBlueberryLemonLoafofAmazingnessTestKitchen

A few weeks ago, Hope had a fundraiser combo garage sale/bake sale to send a couple guys to the South Sudan, Africa.


The day before, I pulled up a few recipes on Pinterest.
One of which was this one.
Except I forgot to pin it.
It was kind of chaotic trying to find it again - there are a handful of blueberry lemon loaf recipes floating around the Pinster.
But I found it.
Made it.
And am now telling you to do the same.

TRUST ME.
You won't regret it.

This is one of the most delicious recipes I have ever made.
I made it with both Fat Free and Regular Sour Cream - I will say the regular did improve the loaf a lot - so don't skimp on the fat. It's worth it. But, if you want to go Fat Free, you won't regret that either.
You seriously just can't go wrong with this recipe.

Blueberries.
Lemons.

You can't go wrong.
Especially when your parents have the most awesome lemon tree.
Bright, yellow, tangy-sweet lemons.
Don't skimp on the zest either.

When I make loaf pan recipes, I always make a mini loaf to go along with it.
Usually I give away (or in this case, sell) the big loaf, and keep the mini for myself.

Another tip? Fork prick the loaf before drizzling on the glaze.
Squeeze a little lemon juice over it before drizzling as well.
You're welcome.

And make sure you serve yourself a slice ASAP.
Hot out of the oven.
TO.
DIE.
FOR.

Here it is again, in case you missed it:

Bread

1/2

cup butter, softened

1

cup granulated sugar

2

eggs

2

teaspoons vanilla

1

cup sour cream or plain yogurt

Grated peel and juice of 1 lemon

2

cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

1

teaspoon baking soda

1

teaspoon baking powder

1

cup fresh blueberries

Glaze

1

cup powdered sugar

2

teaspoons whipping cream or milk

1

teaspoon lemon extract

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom only of 9x5-inch loaf pan with shortening or cooking spray.
2. In medium bowl, beat butter and granulated sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat in eggs, vanilla, sour cream, lemon peel and juice. Stir in flour, baking soda and baking powder. Fold in 3/4 cup of the blueberries. Spoon batter into pan. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup blueberries on top.
3. Bake 55 to 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely.
4. In small bowl, mix glaze ingredients until smooth. Drizzle glaze over loaf. Let stand until set before slicing.

Makes 1 loaf (12 slices)

Linking up with Jessica, you should to!

  

Also, side note, how funny is this?!?