Dakota Bread

As a baker of bread, I have been on a quest to make a healthy, crunchy, but not too dense loaf of bread.
I came across this recipe years ago, tweaked  it and came up with my version. This one has a lot of ingredients, but each one adds to the flavor profile of the bread. It makes one loaf, or I divide it into 3 small mini loaves.

Dakota Bread

1 package of active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup greek yogurt or cottage cheese
1/4 c. honey
2T. powdered milk
1 egg
2 T. oil
1 tsp. salt
21/4 c. bread flour, divided
1/2 c. whole-wheat flour
1/4 c. wheat germ, toasted
1/4 c. rye flour
1/4 c. long-cooking oats, uncooked
2 T. cornmeal
1 egg white, beaten
2 T. sunflower kernels

Combine yeast and lukewarm water in a bowl. Let it sit for 5 minutes. Then add 1/2 cup of bread flour, stir, and let this sit for 30 minutes. In a separate bowl, blend together  yogurt or cottage cheese, honey, egg, oil and salt. Add this to the yeast mixture, blend, then add bread flour, whole wheat flour,wheat germ, rye flour, oatmeal, and powdered milk. This should yield a soft dough, if not add more or less flour or liquid. Knead on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl; cover and let rise for one hour or until double in bulk. Punch dough down. Shape into one round loaf and place in a pie pan coated with non-stick vegetable spray and sprinkle with cornmeal. Cover with greased plastic wrap and let dough rise again until double in bulk. Brush with egg white and sprinkle with sunflower kernels. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. makes 6 to 8 servings.

Martha Bag

The Martha Bag

As a small child, I would stand in fascination of the wooden Finnish loom in the basement of my childhood home. So many warp and weft strings, the tall wooden frame, and the colorful balls of  recycled clothing cut into strips, stitched together forming a colorful mix of colors.   The balls would  revel a chuck of red or yellow  child's dress, a threadbare blue apron, or a worn out pair of denim farm pants. Everything was re-purposed and up cycled into a new and useful articles.  Finnish homes had wood floors, and a hand made quality loom rug would be the center piece of the area.

When I found this free pattern on www.knitty.com  under the heading bags and titled Unbiased.   I knew that I had to make it, but this time, using my ever growing stash of leftover yarn from other projects. I did add 3 inches to the length of the bag, and then added a bottom so the bag would sit upright. I used a size 8 needle using 2 strands of yarn, just tying one snippet of thread with a square knot.. I lined the bag in a black fabric to give it some stability. Then I place black webbing under the strap for strength. The colors are so bright that they reminded me of those Finnish cotton loom rugs and the design also reminded me of my favorite aunt Martha that was thrifty and a creative designer in fashion.

The best nail polish

The best nail polish

In the recent May 2013 Good Housekeeping magazine, there was a published article on The Best Nail Polish, page 62 and 63. Good Housekeeping Research Institute The Test put various nail polishes to the test and then had 2,000 women nationwide applied ,wore, and reported back to the institute. the top choice award went to overall winner Essie Nail Color{$8.00}.  This standout pulled top points for shine and was easy to apply and looked shiny and bright. It came off easily with nail polish, and didn't stain the nails. The second runner up for longest-lasting is  Maybelline New York Color Show  {$4.30}. Volunteers reported that this bargain pick stayed put for an impressive six and a half days on average. The third runner up for quickest drying is OPI nail lacquer {$9}. This is the best drying time. Women loved the classic red shade Big Apple Red, one of the brand's best sellers. The fourth runner up and Most Chip- Proof  is  Covergirl Outlast Stay  Brilliant  Nail Gloss. {$5.50}In-lab and at-home testers rated this newbie-the only winner with a built-in base and top coat-best chip-defier, and its staying power nearly matched Maybelline's.

 A manicure takes time, be sure to file your nails, add cuticle cream, then apply a base coat of Orly Bonder Rubberized Basecoat,{$10}. Apply two thin layers of polish, then a clear top coat of polish.

To remove fingernail polish, I like Sally Hansen, Maximum strength Polish Remover. It is super fast, and doesn't tend to dry out nails.

McCalls Summer Tops

McCall's Summer Tops
I highly recommend McCall's 6566 sewing pattern. It is easy for a beginner with   a loose fitting pullover with capped sleeves. I used View C, with a fluid hot pink burnout rayon. I did adjust the hem so it was a high, low back. It will be roomy, so I can layer another top underneath.
 The second top View D,the body of the garment  is a crinkle soft knit in  cream, with the front and back insets with a double layer of cream lace, then cream netting.I felt that the cream lace alone, was too open, and I think the netting gives it a softer dimension. This is also made larger, so I can place a cami or tank underneath for a pop of color.

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Lumene Skin Products

Lumene Skin Care Products

I have been a fan of the Lumene Skin Care products originally from Finland  for a long time.  The Finnish people are great environmentalists, and tend to be purist,like things simple, and are  thrifty. Anything a Finn builds or handcrafts, quality is of the highest importance. Masks made of Arctic Peat Moss, face creams with Buckthorn, and Arctic Cloudberry,  . A number of years ago, they came out with a blueberry based mascara. I can't seem to find it in the market, perhaps, they discontinued it.  These products  can be purchased at Walgreens,Ulta, CVS and other discount stores, at an inexpensive price.

I use the Arctic Touch Deep Cleansing Peat Mask about once a week.

 About once a month I use the Gentle Exfoliating Cream. 

In the morning on a clean face I apply Lumeme Age-Defying and Repairing Serum, usually around  the fine lines at the corners of my eyes. 

  I use the Premium Beauty with Nourishing Arctic Sea Buckthorn SPF15 

as a moisturizer base. 

I apply the Vitamin C++ Illuminating Anti-age BB Cream with Arctic Cloudberry SPF20. 

At night, after a cleansing wash, I apply Vitamin C++ Nourishing Night Care

Weekender hat

 Weekender hat.. a brimmed Knit Hat

I have been loving this hat pattern. Its from the book called Knitted Accessories by Claire Crompton.
The shaping in this dressed-down casual cap is achieved by knitting each section, and their are eight separate
pieces that get sewn together at the end.Once the hat is sewn, then cast on for the brim. I used a acrylic wool blend. The third hat I'm working on and its a blend of cream and gray finger weight yarns...This pattern is suitable for just about all types of yarn. I think I want to make the fourth one in cotton yarn...