Buttermilk Wheat Rolls

Buttermilk Wheat Rolls

• 1-1/2 cups warm buttermilk (70° to 80°)
• 1/4 cup vegetable or canola oil
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1-1/4 cups bread flour
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted, optional

In bread machine pan, place the first 10 ingredients in order suggested by manufacturer. Select dough setting (check dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water or flour if needed).
When cycle is completed, turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and punch down. Divide into 24 pieces; shape each into a ball. Place on two greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes. Brush with butter if desired. Bake at 350° for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool. Yield: 2 dozen.

The Amazing Scavenger Hunt

Easter weekend, we had a different kind of hunt than most people probably had. Jeff and I organized a scavenger hunt for our college people! We met in downtown Commerce at Wingslingers, had dinner, then divided everyone into 4 teams. We had done a hunt last year, and we knew that everyone had been thinking of ways to get around the rules they remembered from last year. Naturally, we're no match for a group of bright minds like that ... so, we changed the contest completely! They had to find a picture of a word for every letter of the alphabet (except ex- counted for 'x', but they got a bonus for an actual 'x' word.) We wouldn't let them use books, magazines, or internet, and all pictures had to be taken from inside the car. In alphabetical order. With the same digital camera. We closed up every loophole we could think of! Maybe we were a match after all. :)




In addition to the letters, they had 10 possible bonus items to get. They got pretty creative -- which worked well since there was a creativity bonus, too.


Yes, that is an empty toilet paper roll. In the Wal-Mart bathroom. Blech.


Of course an older model Volkswagen was one of the bonus items -- Jeff was involved!

First prize was Chick-Fil-A gift cards, Second was gift cards to the local Christian book store, Third was a package of Oreos. And after the hunt was over, we had an ice cream sundae bar set up on the dining room table. I guess that means everyone won!

Fun With the Phillips and Finns

Baxter!


Joe!


Georgia!




I'm being lazy about writing, but here are some more pictures of recent events. Last week, I drove to Conyers to see my friend Leah and her two little crumb snatchers. Kaity had gone to visit with her Nannie and Papa (Jeff's parents) so it was just Joe and me on the trip. Joe actually took the picture of me, and the one of me, Leah and Georgia.

Easter Sunday

Easter in pictures ...

Train Ride

Friday, Jeff took the day off and we celebrated our anniversary by going on a train ride! A few weeks ago, Jeff asked me to research trains for us, and I found a great deal on-line for the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. They were doing a sale for the winter where their tickets were 40% off. How great is that? So, we booked 4 tickets and away we went!


Jeff's grandfather, KJ Pittard, was a conductor on Southern Railroad for 40 years.




We went to the station in Blue Ridge, Georgia and rode the train up to a little town on the Tennessee-Georgia border. The town is actually split by the border, so on one side it's McCaysville, Georgia and on the other it's Copperhill, Tennessee.



While in the town(s) we had a two-hour layover during which we ate lunch at the Nifty Fifties Diner, shopped and browsed, and ate Mayfield Ice Cream. :)