Just Call Me Suzy Homemaker

I bought flowers for the first time the other day. Purple pansies (!) that I planted in a pot from Marshalls and set on our front stoop.

I was only motivated to do this because our neighbor set out a pot of gerber daisies the other day and I didn't want to be outdone.

I also purchased a raspberry bush and planted it. It was a spontaneous purchase fueled by my desire to eat fresh raspberries off the bush during summertime. I greatly underestimated how big of a pot you would need to plant it in. Or maybe you can only plant raspberry bushes in the ground? How would I know?



I might have to let my mom adopt the bush and plant it in her yard. I'll still come visit it though.

What else have I been up to, you ask? Well, I've been making batches of homemade kefir. Kefir is thick-yogurty milk drink. It tastes like a smoothie made with buttermilk, and it's really good for you. I didn't care for it at first, but I've grown to like it.


I made mine with coconut milk, but you could also use cow's milk, soy, almond, rice or goat milk. I recommend cow or goat milk, because the coconut was a little watery.


I bought the kefir starter grains on Amazon... they were pretty cheap. You place the grains in an clean, empty bottle or jar, pour in your milk of choice, and allow the mixture to sit for 24-48 hours (at room temperature). The longer you let it sit, the more bite it will have.

Yeah, I know... this seems wrong. It's okay, just don't think about it.



After that I strained the kefir grains out and set them aside for another future batch. Then I blended my homemade kefir with strawberries and bananas.





I chilled it down before drinking it, and you know what? It was good! And I didn't get violently ill! I call that a success.

You know what else? I prefer store bought-Lifeway kefir. It tastes better and I don't have to go through the hassel of making it.

Oh well, it was a fun experiment. Maybe I'll try making my own wine next. Teehee. That could be some reallll good times.



I've been using my bread machine... not a lot, but some. I have to freeze bread because I can never get through a loaf before it gets old.

It's really easy to use. You basically just throw all of the ingredients in the machine and push some buttons. You have to put the liquids in the bottom first before adding the dry ingredients.



Then, a couple of hours later you have bread!



I cooled this loaf upside down on a wire rack - that's why it has lines on top. I think I read once that you're supposed to cool bread upside down.
Or was that resting a turkey? Hmmm.





This is a buttermilk cinnamon bread recipe I made up. It made the whole house smell good while it was baking. I made French toast with it one night after work for dinner.

Breakfast for dinner is the best. Who wants to go to Denny's with me right now? IHOP?

I'll buy.

You can get those sausage patties and hash browns you've been craving.

Love,