Reading instructions for my up-side-down blog.

Just start with the blog titled, Food, Gratitude and Joy, in the side menu; then work your way to the top.
Thanks for your patience!

P.S. The food section is for the grandchildren.

I need help! How do I get the blog to come out in the order I would like? AND, how do I get more than one picture transferred from Picassa to my blog?

Here is a fun video of Jason doing his dance.

Jason

Cooking lesson - Leavening Agents
To leaven means to make light and porous (full of pores or tiny cells). A leavening agent causes cakes and breads to rise. Leavening agents include:
1. Air enclosed in beaten egg white as in sponge cake.
2. Steam, as in pop-overs.
3. Baking powder.
4. Soda and sour milk (or acid ingredient such as cream of tartar)
5. Yeast

More about how leavening agents work next post.

Last but not least, GRATITUDE. Gratitude is a leavening agent in our lives. It smooths out the rough days and allows us to feel peace amidst trouble. I am grateful for each of you. I love being your grandmother and your Mom!
Lots of love,
Grandma Davis and Mom
Questions? Suggestions? Comments? I would love to read or hear them!

Serve hot! I like to split open (separate top and bottom) and spread with jam, but it is also very good accompaniment to chicken dinner.

Transfer to an ungreased baking sheet. Bake in pre-heated, hot oven 450 degrees for 11 minutes. (If using convection air, reduce time to 7 1/2 minutes.)

Cut out biscuits with a 2 1/2 inch cutter using a straight down cut.

The dough is now ready to roll or pat out to 1/2 inch thickness.

Mix milk and flour mix with a fork, just until the dough follows the fork around the bowl. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead the dough just 12 times, turning and pushing with the palm of your hand. (Do not over handle the dough or the biscuits will be tough and heavy.)

Make a well in the center of the mixture and add milk all at once.

Measure all dry ingredients and sift into mixing bowl. Using a pastry blender, cut the margarine or butter into the flour mixture, until the size of peas.

Recipe time

First assemble utensils and all ingredients. After you measure each one, put the ingredient away.

Food & Gratitude ---> Joy!

I am going to start with joy!

"the light which did light up his mind, which was the light of the glory of God, which was a marvelous light of his goodness -- year, this light had infused such joy into his soul, the cloud of darkness having been dispelled, and that the light of everlasting life was lit up in his soul..."*

I just had to share it with you since it was a cold overcast day with some sprinkles of rain here. Some days seem dark and gloomy but this scripture reminds me of the true source of joy. May you find joy as you notice the tender mercies of God in your life.

* Can you find this scripture reference?



Now for FOOD. This is a simple recipe for children to make. Try it this week!

I will try to get some pictures; but I just need to start now or this will not get done.



[This is an attempt to share some cooking lessons with any of the grandchildren who are interested. Please give me suggestions for improvements.]



My Favorite Biscuits



1 cup white flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

4 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/3 cup shortening or margarine

3/4 cup milk



Follow picture directions or use the following standard directions:
Sift dry ingredients into bowl. Cut in shortening, with pastry blender, till like coarse crumbs. Push flour mixture up the sides of the bowl to form a depression or "well"; add milk all at once. Stir quickly with fork just till dough follows fork around bowl.* Turn onto lightly floured surface. (Dough should be soft.) Knead gently with floured hands 10 to 12 strokes. Roll or pat dough 1/2 inch thick. Dip 2 1/2 inch biscuit cutter in flour; cut dough straight down. Bake on ungreased baking sheet on lower shelf of oven at 450 degrees about 12 minutes. Makes 10 biscuits. Serve hot, with jam, honey or marmalade.

*The more you handle the dough, the tougher the biscuits will be.