Back to basics in the New Year!

HELLO 2013!

2013 is going to be the year that I get back to basics.  I want to learn how to make jam, pickle things, juice and more!  I want to become a Domestic Diva!

FIRST STEP...Bread Maker...CHECK!

My Bestie got a bread maker from her parents this year for Christmas.  Too bad she is not really into cooking.  I offered to buy it from her and she agreed!  It's a "Zojirushi Bread Machine - Home Bakery Supreme."  It says that it also makes pizza dough, jam and meatloaf!  I intend to make it all!

Bread batch one complete and my Hubby LOVED IT!  I tried Bob's Red Mill Potato Bread mix first because I didn't have any Vital Wheat Gluten.  It turned out pretty good but I learned from my first mistake.  Don't treat it like a RonCo.  No setting and forgetting.  I think it turned out a little hard on the outside because I started it before I went to bed and took it out in the AM.

 

 

Today, I went to a larger Raley's and found some Vital Wheat Gluten!  Picked up some OJ and cracked open a bottle of 'J' Champagne!  From scratch loaf in the Machine!  We'll see how it goes!  I think I'll spring a loaf on my In-Laws and Brother and Sister in-Law today!  

Domestic Diva here I come!

Get the hell out of California Dreamin'

Ready...Set...Here we go!
I have officially entered the Blog-O-Sphere! 

Ahh California...the land of Gun Control laws, California Air and Resource Board (CARB) emissions laws, outrageous taxes and an overall liberal craziness...We're outta here!  My Husband and I have decided to ditch this State for a better way of life to start our family.

450 day goals: 

1. Get the hell out of California (Summer 2013)

2. Lose 70lbs (Shocking...a woman with a weight loss goal...LOL) (Winter 2013)

3. God willing, start a little family (Summer 2014)

My husband Ryan owns a small Landscape Materials company here in Northern California.  We have made good money here and would love to continue, but California seems to have other plans.  CARB has decided that perfectly good trucks that make people a living are hurting the environment.  They are putting laws into effect in 2014 that will make running trucks older than the year 2000 subject to modifications that will cost the owners 50K a truck.  The State's alternative...buy new ones.  YEA RIGHT!  How are small businesses supposed to do that in this economy?  Many small business owners, and large ones, are just trying to stay a float!  No thanks!  We'll go to a State that wants our business and our tax revenue.

Why Missouri you ask?  It's beautiful, business friendly and will hopefully take us back to that small town world we were raised in.  Forget all the hustle and bustle.  I just want to be happy with my Husband and my dogs.  I want to make jam and sit on my front porch drinking tea and watching the sunset.  We're currently looking at 100+ acre properties in Missouri for the same price, if not less than the 5-10 acre properties we were looking at here.  Sad but true.  The best part will be our new life, the worst part will be moving half way across the country away from our family and friends.  It will be hard, I will cry, but I know this is the right move for us.

Guns.  Yes we have them and no, we are not giving them up...PERIOD.  We have a safe, we know how to safely handle them and if someone shows up here to hurt me or my family, I am not afraid, I know how to defend myself.  Our California Senator can pound salt. (http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/assault-weapons)

Poundage.  If I am going to the country to live and have babies, I need to whip this big ol' booty into shape.  End of story.

Future Kiddos.  We're thinking 2, maybe 3.  Ryan wants boys and I don't care!  My Gram, my Parents and In-Laws are getting impatient.  Not sure how much longer we can hold out. HA!

So that's the master plan.  Nothing too fancy.  Follow if you like as take my journey, My Adventure to a Better Way of Life!