dear blog,
the dowd house is buzzing tonight because my baby brother returns home from serving a full-time mission tomorrow & honestly, i'm kind of freaking out! i know that it will be so normal and wonderful, but it also feels weird and scary too. i haven't seen him for two whole years! TWO YEARS IS A LONG TIME! all day i have been thinking back on the person i was two years ago. granted i don't think i've changed tooo much, but 21 year old me seems so so much younger. is 21 year old richie the same? is he sillier? more serious? will he get married soon? will he be as obsessed with my roommates as i am? will he like 23 year old me? will he still love pokemon and disneyland? will he want to come to brian's birthday dinner on saturday? will he still think farting is hilarious and that basketball is the best? will our family dynamic click into place? or will it be awkward?
i genuinely don't know the answers to these questions and it is so weird to me that in the next couple of hours i will. there will be another human that i love right here and i can almost guarantee that these questions will feel so silly because all the answers will be so obvious, but for now, until i can see richie with my own two eyes, i think i'll still be nervous and anxious and excited.
love,
rochelle
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Monday, January 7, 2013
60 (okay, 90) minute rolls & cinnamon butter
dear blog,
did i mention that i made a turkey yesterday!??? it was really empowering. like, i could throw my own thanksgiving now (not without lots of help from my roommates though.) but it turned out beautifully & it was actually (relatively) stress free and fun!
here's the recipe that i always use for rolls & the recipe for cinnamon butter a la texas roadhouse.
enjoy!
60 minute rolls
(from my aunt shirley- i make them in the bread machine so they take 90+ minutes instead)
3 1/2 to 4 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons (or one packet) of yeast
1 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup butter
in a large bowl, mix 1 1/2 cup flour, sugar, salt & yeast. in a saucepan, heat milk, water & butter to between 120 & 130ºF. combine dry and wet ingredients and mix. add 1/2 cup more flour; mix. stir in flour until you reach a soft dough. knead. put in a greased bowl and set bowl in skin temperature water for 15 minutes. knead. shape. let rise for 15 minutes. bake at 425ºF for 12 minutes. (for the bread machine i melt the butter & add all the wet ingredients in first. then add the flour & dry ingredients and set the machine to dough and voila!)
cinnamon butter
(from here)
1 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk, chilled
1/2 teaspoon corn syrup
1 teaspoon cinnamon
add all ingredients and blend with a hand-mixer or food processor or whatever you have! store in the refrigerator.
love,
rochelle
did i mention that i made a turkey yesterday!??? it was really empowering. like, i could throw my own thanksgiving now (not without lots of help from my roommates though.) but it turned out beautifully & it was actually (relatively) stress free and fun!
here's the recipe that i always use for rolls & the recipe for cinnamon butter a la texas roadhouse.
enjoy!
60 minute rolls
(from my aunt shirley- i make them in the bread machine so they take 90+ minutes instead)
3 1/2 to 4 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons (or one packet) of yeast
1 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup butter
in a large bowl, mix 1 1/2 cup flour, sugar, salt & yeast. in a saucepan, heat milk, water & butter to between 120 & 130ºF. combine dry and wet ingredients and mix. add 1/2 cup more flour; mix. stir in flour until you reach a soft dough. knead. put in a greased bowl and set bowl in skin temperature water for 15 minutes. knead. shape. let rise for 15 minutes. bake at 425ºF for 12 minutes. (for the bread machine i melt the butter & add all the wet ingredients in first. then add the flour & dry ingredients and set the machine to dough and voila!)
cinnamon butter
(from here)
1 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk, chilled
1/2 teaspoon corn syrup
1 teaspoon cinnamon
add all ingredients and blend with a hand-mixer or food processor or whatever you have! store in the refrigerator.
love,
rochelle
Sunday, January 6, 2013
apple pie
dear blog,
i'm making a turkey today! (i'mnot freaking out.) we're having pie for dessert & this is my favorite crust & apple pie recipe (so far.) enjoy!
apple pie
(adapted from smitten kitchen)
for double crust, 2 pie crusts (see recipe below)
1 1/2 pounds granny smith apples (about 3 medium)
2 pounds mcintosh (about 4 large) (i used 4 medium fuji apples and 2 large granny smith)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1-2 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon allspice (recipe calls for, but we didn't have it)
1 egg beaten lightly with 1 tablespoon water
1. adjust oven rack to lowest position & heat rimmed baking sheet & oven to 500ºF. Remove one piece of dough from refrigerator.
2. roll dough on lightly floured surface to a 12-inch disc. transfer dough to pie plate (i like to fold it in half and then fourths.) refrigerate.
3. peel, core & cut apples in half, and half again width-wise; cut quarters into 1/4 inch slices & toss with lemon juice. in a medium bowl, mix sugars, flour, salt & spices. toss dry ingerdients with apples & add it all to the pie shell.
4. roll out the second piece of dough to a 12-inch disc & place over the filling. tuck excess under the bottom crust. brush the top with the egg wash (egg+water) and 1 tablespoon or so of sugar.
5. place pie on the baking sheet & lower the oven temperature to 425ºF. bake until the top crust is golden, about 25 minutes. rotate the pie & reduce oven temperature to 375ºF; continue baking until juices bubble & crust is deep golden brown, 30-35 minutes longer.
6. transfer pie to wire rack; cool to room temperature, at least 4 hours.
betty crocker's pie crust:
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 c + 1 Tbs. shortening
2-3 Tbs. ice water
1. mix flour and salt in medium bowl. cut in shortening, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through ingredients in opposite directions), until particles are size of small peas.
2. sprinkle with cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with fork until all flour is moistened and pastry almost leaves side of bowl (1 to 2 teaspoons more water can be added if necessary).
i'm making a turkey today! (i'm
apple pie
(adapted from smitten kitchen)
for double crust, 2 pie crusts (see recipe below)
1 1/2 pounds granny smith apples (about 3 medium)
2 pounds mcintosh (about 4 large) (i used 4 medium fuji apples and 2 large granny smith)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1-2 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon allspice (recipe calls for, but we didn't have it)
1 egg beaten lightly with 1 tablespoon water
2. roll dough on lightly floured surface to a 12-inch disc. transfer dough to pie plate (i like to fold it in half and then fourths.) refrigerate.
3. peel, core & cut apples in half, and half again width-wise; cut quarters into 1/4 inch slices & toss with lemon juice. in a medium bowl, mix sugars, flour, salt & spices. toss dry ingerdients with apples & add it all to the pie shell.
4. roll out the second piece of dough to a 12-inch disc & place over the filling. tuck excess under the bottom crust. brush the top with the egg wash (egg+water) and 1 tablespoon or so of sugar.
5. place pie on the baking sheet & lower the oven temperature to 425ºF. bake until the top crust is golden, about 25 minutes. rotate the pie & reduce oven temperature to 375ºF; continue baking until juices bubble & crust is deep golden brown, 30-35 minutes longer.
6. transfer pie to wire rack; cool to room temperature, at least 4 hours.
betty crocker's pie crust:
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 c + 1 Tbs. shortening
2-3 Tbs. ice water
1. mix flour and salt in medium bowl. cut in shortening, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through ingredients in opposite directions), until particles are size of small peas.
2. sprinkle with cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with fork until all flour is moistened and pastry almost leaves side of bowl (1 to 2 teaspoons more water can be added if necessary).
3. gather pastry into a ball.shape into flattened round on lightly floured surface. Wrap flattened round of pastry in plastic wrap and refrigerate about 45 minutes or until dough is firm and cold, yet pliable.
4. roll pastry, using floured rolling pin, into circle 2 inches larger than upside-down 9-inch glass pie plate (12 inches or so.) fold pastry into fourths; place in pie plate. unfold and ease into plate, pressing firmly against bottom and side.
4. roll pastry, using floured rolling pin, into circle 2 inches larger than upside-down 9-inch glass pie plate (12 inches or so.) fold pastry into fourths; place in pie plate. unfold and ease into plate, pressing firmly against bottom and side.
5. trim overhanging edge of pastry 1 inch from rim of pie plate. Fold and roll pastry under, even with plate; flute as desired. for pre-baked crust: prick bottom and side of pastry thoroughly with fork . bake at 475ºF for 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown; cool on wire rack.
love,
rochelle
love,
rochelle
Monday, December 31, 2012
2012
dear blog,
2012 was a very good year for me.
here are some highlights (and lowlights)!
it was seriously a GOOD year.
2012 was a very good year for me.
here are some highlights (and lowlights)!
 |
| i made some new best friends. |
 |
| jackson moved :( |
 |
| horseback riding in rexburg |
 |
| rexburg for the crossroads concert |
 |
| st. george with my besties |
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| state champion! |
 |
| i pinched a nerve in my back. |
 |
| disneyland! |
 |
| beach! |
 |
| ellen! |
 |
| elise! (i'm seriously obsessed with her) |
 |
| visiting susie's house! |
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| hanging out with this lady everyday this summer |
 |
| rooftop concerts pre-panda's mission |
 |
| maddie graduated! |
 |
| camping with lauren, bob, jeff & the wellings |
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| 50's bbq |
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| sister time at aspen grove! |
 |
| summer loving |
 |
| i started working with M |
 |
| seriously, so much sister time. |
 |
| hazel, andrew & catherine |
 |
| maddie moved to idaho. |
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| i moved to provo! |
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| i made loads of new awesome friends! |
 |
| living with these ladies is a highlight!! |
 |
| our park city miracle! |
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| camping at the gc |
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| THE GRAND CANYON! |
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| my awesome birthday party |
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| maddie surprised me for my birthday! |
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| staying at the bishop's cabin at fairview! |
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| carrie walker is my best friend! |
 |
| working at the distribution center |
 |
| family christmas/talking to richie! |
i feel good about my 2012 resolutions (never withhold a generous thought, go to the temple twice a month, make an honest effort to do selfless service). i'll be honest, i didn't go to the temple this month and i DON'T feel good about that, but next month i'll be better!
my goals for the new year:
1. read 35 books (book of mormon included)
2. go to the temple twice a month
3. be nicer (i.e. no more backhanded compliments!)
i'm really excited for the new year and i can't wait to see what it will bring!
love,
rochelle
take a look. read a book!
dear blog,
in the past i haven't been a big reader (except of blogs) but this year i was bitten by the library bug and i just can't get enough. i though i'd make a list of all the books i've read this year (that i can remember):
the giver- lois lowry
gathering blue- lois lowry
the messenger- lois lowry
the son- lois lowry
the hunger games- suzanne collins
catching fire- suzanne collins
mockingjay- suzanne collins
cry, the beloved country- alan paton
wings- aprilynne pike
spells- aprilynne pike
illusions- aprilynne pike
destined- aprilynne pike
matched- ally condie
crossed- ally condie
night- elie wiesel
the goose girl- shannon hale
enna burning- shannon hale
river secrets- shannon hale
forest born- shannon hale
austenland- shannon hale
midnight in austenland- shannon hale
the secret life of bees- sue monk kidd
the actor and the housewife- shannon hale
brave new world- aldous huxley
borrowed light- carla kelly
enduring light- carly kelly
princess academy- shannon hale
palace of stone- shannon hale
escape- carolyn jessop
bossypants- tina fey
water for elephants- sara gruen
unorthodox- deborah feldman
rumors of war- dean hughes
far from home- dean hughes
the only book i wouldn't recommend is water for elephants. other than that i mostly loved all of these books! i love how reading opens your mind to new possibilities and to other points of view. yay for reading!
love,
rochelle
p.s. i'm open to suggestions if you've read anything good lately!
in the past i haven't been a big reader (except of blogs) but this year i was bitten by the library bug and i just can't get enough. i though i'd make a list of all the books i've read this year (that i can remember):
the giver- lois lowry
gathering blue- lois lowry
the messenger- lois lowry
the son- lois lowry
the hunger games- suzanne collins
catching fire- suzanne collins
mockingjay- suzanne collins
cry, the beloved country- alan paton
wings- aprilynne pike
spells- aprilynne pike
illusions- aprilynne pike
destined- aprilynne pike
matched- ally condie
crossed- ally condie
night- elie wiesel
the goose girl- shannon hale
enna burning- shannon hale
river secrets- shannon hale
forest born- shannon hale
austenland- shannon hale
midnight in austenland- shannon hale
the secret life of bees- sue monk kidd
the actor and the housewife- shannon hale
brave new world- aldous huxley
borrowed light- carla kelly
enduring light- carly kelly
princess academy- shannon hale
palace of stone- shannon hale
escape- carolyn jessop
bossypants- tina fey
water for elephants- sara gruen
unorthodox- deborah feldman
rumors of war- dean hughes
far from home- dean hughes
the only book i wouldn't recommend is water for elephants. other than that i mostly loved all of these books! i love how reading opens your mind to new possibilities and to other points of view. yay for reading!
love,
rochelle
p.s. i'm open to suggestions if you've read anything good lately!
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
soft & spicy gingerbread cookies
dear blog,
i love love love this recipe for gingerbread cookies. they are soft and spicy and easy and delicious. mostly i'm posting this here because i can never find recipes unless i post them on here!
make these & enjoy them!
Soft and Spicy Gingerbread Cookies
(i got this recipe from jessica's sister amy's blog. she's a rockstar & they're hoping to adopt if you know anyone who knows anyone!)
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup molasses
1 egg
4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp ground cloves
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground nutmeg
In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Stir in molasses and egg. Combine the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg; blend into the molasses mixture until smooth. Cover, and chill for at least one hour. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line your baking sheet with parchment. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies 2 inches apart on cookie sheets. Bake for about 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until firm. Let cool for 10 minutes on pan. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks. Frost or decorate when cool with Royal Icing and sugar.
love,
mrs. claus
i love love love this recipe for gingerbread cookies. they are soft and spicy and easy and delicious. mostly i'm posting this here because i can never find recipes unless i post them on here!
make these & enjoy them!
Soft and Spicy Gingerbread Cookies
(i got this recipe from jessica's sister amy's blog. she's a rockstar & they're hoping to adopt if you know anyone who knows anyone!)
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup molasses
1 egg
4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp ground cloves
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground nutmeg
In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Stir in molasses and egg. Combine the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg; blend into the molasses mixture until smooth. Cover, and chill for at least one hour. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line your baking sheet with parchment. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies 2 inches apart on cookie sheets. Bake for about 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until firm. Let cool for 10 minutes on pan. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks. Frost or decorate when cool with Royal Icing and sugar.
love,
mrs. claus
holly jolly christmas
dear blog,
i guess christmas is over, but everywhere i go i want to shout "merry christmas!" it's kind of a disaster.
but alas, the season was so so lovely.
it included:
lots and lots and lots of caroling
lots and lots of family time
lots of food
lots of fun
lots of snow
i guess christmas is over, but everywhere i go i want to shout "merry christmas!" it's kind of a disaster.
but alas, the season was so so lovely.
it included:
lots and lots and lots of caroling
lots and lots of family time
lots of food
lots of fun
lots of snow
 |
| we helped aunt willi put up her tree! |
 |
| looking at christmas lights. my favorite! |
 |
| being weird with bex/her 23rd birthday! |
 |
| visiting/caroling to grandpa and ana-maria |
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| aunt willi's for christmas eve |
 |
| being silly/christmas eve jitters |
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| brother ortiz is a virtuoso & he played some boss songs for us on christmas! |
 |
| grandma showed me how she makes her rolls! |
|
| we got to skype with richie!! |
 |
| les mis on christmas! |
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| my sisters paid me $12 to stand up in a packed movie theater and proclaim (with gestures) "merry christmas to one and all!!" |
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| my new boyfriend! (it snowed A TON) |
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| reading by the light of the christmas tree |
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| hanging out with andrew a lot. their family got me a caramel apple and fuzzy socks-- exactly what i wanted! |
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| airport dropping off/picking ups. |
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| we have to force maddie to spend time with us. |
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| game night at the thurmans with their mini-dog |
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| ice tree in heber! |
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| my last day at distribution :( and family bowling :) |
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| merry christmas! love, the dowds |
also, santa brought me a computer! WHAT?? not to mention i got a ton of gifts, all of which i love and am so so grateful for. i'm such a blessed/spoiled girl!
love,
rochelle
p.s. nickie started/almost finished her mission papers!! it's so crazy to think that christmas next year will be so different with her gone (and let's face it, richie and/or maddie will probably be married)
p.p.s. these cool cats got engaged on the same day as mom & dad (25 years later)!!
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