Saturday, January 29, 2011

Oregon Preztels Are Better Then Sliced Bread

Hi everyone,
Oh goodness, I think I've died and gone to pretzel heaven. My blogger friend Jami over at An Oregon Cottage posted this recipe for homemade pretzels. Click here to pay her a visit, to get the recipe, and leave her a nice comment. Tell her "hello" and that I sent you over for a nice visit ;) :)
I'm a woman with champagne tastes living on a soda pop can budget. NOTE: I don't drink.  It's just a point of reference to describe my financial status :) :) :)  So when I saw this recipe it looked really easy and it only involves a few ingredients.  This is what they looked like when they came out of the oven.

I didn't have Kosher salt, so I just used regular salt. Plus, it was a bit of a chore rolling out the pretzel dough. It just wouldn't look like the fancy ones that you buy at the mall. My father kept taking "sneak peeks" in the oven to see how the pretzels were progressing. "Fine, Dad, please leave them alone" Secretly, it made me  smile, because I knew that they had to be good if my dad kept checking on the status of said baked goodies :) :)
This is the prettiest  pretzel of the whole bunch.  Regular table salt works fine, but you do have to put quite a bit on there to get the same taste as Kosher salt.  The pretzels should cool down for a few minutes after baking, before you take a bite. Otherwise, it's still really hot and you might burn yourself. 

Okay, I just had to get that up there :) :) Oh, my homemade laundry powder is working really well. I've washed six loads from it so far. Click here if you want the recipe.  It's the dreamiest homemade version I've made to date. Plus it's pretty and pink.  Plus I've been thinking about quite a few things lately like:
* disastrous knitting projects
* financial wisdom
* decorating projects
* how I like to drown my worries in a cup of coffee :)
* how I really need to leave my worries at the cross :)

So I just wanted you to know I'm thinking about things. It's just a matter of getting the proverbial pen to paper :) :) :)  One of my goals this year is to get into even better financial shape. So I'll be talking about that this week. I've been listening to Dave Ramsey a lot on-line, plus reading his book "Financial Peace University - Revisited" You can listen to the show live  Monday-Friday or listen to archived shows here. I do need to be making wiser financial decisions from this point forward. I've done very well so far but  I'll save that for another blog post...really, truly!!! So life is exciting. I'm excited to see what this new year will bring :) :) :)

That's the news from Oregon today. Extra love and hugs, Heather :)

30 comments:

Kim B said...

Well the pretzels sounds wonderful and that one is almost mall pretzel like....i love a little cheese with the pretzels though. I hope all the rest of the things work out. All we can do is put HIM first and hope we can work out the rest. Hugs, Kim

aimee said...

They look totally yummy to me Heather and if they taste like the ones you can get at some malls then I am sure they are incredible!!!
I like Dave Ramsey--
Hang in there! God loves you:)
Blessings,
Aimee

A Primitive Homestead said...

Hi there! Your pretzels look yummy. I closed my etsy account recently. Good luck selling. It is easy to follow step by step to set up a pay pal account. I have never try ed knitting. I have always loved seeing the beautiful stitches. Did you teach yourself to knit? Blessings!

Nancy said...

I think your pretzels look really Beautiful, I love the homemade look. The mall type of pretzel would not look nearly as beautiful in a photo! Homemade food always tastes better too! Have A Wonderful Weekend!
xo Nancy :D

Heather's Blog-o-rama said...

@Kim/Stamper Bee - I'm so excited for your new venture!! That takes courage to follow a dream, doing something you love. However, I think based on what I've seen so far, you'll do very, very well!!! I'm learning to put my trust in Him more and more every day.

@Aimee - thanks :) :) I try not to sound too sad, because I'm not..although money is the one thing that can get me to worry unnecessarily, if I'm not careful :) :) It's been really on my heart to share my story, as a late "beginning". I'm wanting to do that, to encourage others. Plus, I want to have this as a record once I'm able to say that I'm "debt free" That's my ultimate goal :) :)

@A Primitive Homestead - yes, I taught myself how to knit when I lived in Norway. I did get a little bit of help along the way from friends :) :) I'd love to know how you sell your creations from your website? I think that's great!!! I'm going to do more research on Etsy!!!

@everyone - Thanks for leaving me comments. I read every single one of them :) :) :) You all make me smile..so blessed to "know" all of you :) :)

Heather's Blog-o-rama said...

@Nancy - oh my goodness, they taste delicious!!! just like the pretzels I used to buy when I was in college. Oh, I love cheese on my pretzels too, nacho cheese or cream cheese :) :) :)

@Stamperbee - Let me know when you shut down your old blog,so I can replace it with your new blog on my site :) :) :)

Junibears said...

Your pretzels look absolutely delicious Heather. I can smell the baking from here!!
God bless you this Sunday and always. Hugs xx

Heather's Blog-o-rama said...

@Junibears - oh, they smelled so good. Only one made it to today (Sunday). The rest of them were happily eaten, mostly by my dad :) :) :) He that they were great ) :) :) Love and hugs, Heather :)

Sheila said...

Your pretzels look wonderful. I would love to have one right now. I have problems baking anything so I guess I'll have to pass on making those:(
I so need to get better at spending--or rather--saving. I still haven't started a knitting project yet--but I really need to. Have a wonderful week. Take care.

Heather's Blog-o-rama said...

@Sheila - I'm not much of a baker either...and fortunately this recipe is very forgiving. You can make those pretzels ANY shape you want to :) :) Try it...:) :) :)

Love and hugs, Heather :)

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Dear Heather,
What a tantalizingly tasty post!! Those pretzels look so wonderful!!
Thanks so much for your sweet comments and I always smile when I see that you paid me a visit!!

Hugs,
Debbie

Improbable Farmer said...

Those Pretzels sound fantastic! I'm going to have to try it tomorrow. I've also gotten the ingredients for making my own laundry soap. I hope it's working out well for you.

Camille said...

Dear ME!! Those pretzels look terrific! Yum Yum! That's so cute that your Dad just couldn't wait. :)

Well done on being frugal and seeking to make wise choices with your money Heather...I have heard lots of good things about Mr. Ramsey...I'm sure you'll learn alot.

Many blessings to you this week!
Camille

Beth said...

Heather, The pretzerls look great! You are a good cook. Glad you are listening to Dave Ramsey; he has a lot of good to say. I took Financial Peace University.
Blessings, Beth

Coralie Cederna Johnson said...

Ohmygoodness...Heather! These look so delicious they make me hungry!!! Great job!

You are invited so sign up for my giveaway...Just come on over and check it out!
Hugs,
Coralie

Jill said...

Those pretzels look so yummy! Thanks for sharing the recipe. :-)

Dave ramsey has great ideas for finances. Hang in there, things will get better. :-)

Hope you have a wonderful night!!

Blessings,
Jill

Inspired2cook said...

Hello! Swinging by from This Week's Cravings. I'm also an Oregon blogger. Nice to meet you!
http://www.inspired2cook.com/

Jami @ An Oregon Cottage said...

Thanks, Heather- I'm glad you liked them! And that's pretty much how they turn out- especially the last ones when I'm tired of rolling. :-)

I recently saw in a magazine where a man rolled out the dough, cut it into strips and then pinched the strips to make a roll. I'm going to try that next time!

-Jami
An Oregon Cottage

Heather's Blog-o-rama said...

@Debbie-Dabble - Hey, thanks for visiting me :) :)I always love all that Victorian beauty you display in your home ;) :) :) Those pretzels are good and very easy :) :)

@The Improbable Farmer - have you tried making the pretzels yet? Let me know how they turn out. It doesn't matter what shape they are, because they'll always taste good :) :)

@Camille - Yes, i'm working on it very hard. I've made lots of good progress, but there's still more to go...so this month (February) I have eto get serious about itemizing my spending, so I know exactly where all my money is going. That'll be my first baby step :) :) My dad ended up eating most of the pretzels :) :) :)

@Beth - I try to cook well :) :) It's certainly cheaper ;) :) Oh, Dave Ramsey is awesome. I don't have money to take his Financial Peace University class, but I do have two of his books and I"m diligent about listening to the radio show. I've learned a lot about what to do and what NOT to do :) :)

@Coralie - okay, I'll stop on my when I"m done here :) :)

@Jill - that pretzel recipe would be perfect for your girls!!! Jamie, at An Oregon Cottage, was the inspiration for this recipe..and I think your girls would have fun m aking all kinds of silly shapes with the pretzel dough :) :) I'm going to be blogging about my financial journey. I would totally appreciate your prayers ;) :)

@Inspired2Cook - yeah, another Oregon blogger. I know there's more out there...I should make a special category for us Oregonians ;) :) Thanks for visiting me ;) :)

@Jami - thanks for the recipe. My dad asked me afterwards "Do you have enough stuff to make more?" Oh yes!!!! So my dad was especially grateful, too :) :) If you make the "p inched roll" kind, let me know!!!

Hey everyone, Thanks for leaving me comments here. I love getting visits from all of you :) :) :) :) Okay, now I"m off to itemize my spending for the day and pray about how I'm going to blog about my financial journey :) :)

Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather :)

Anne Fannie said...

Hello Heather, I love the pretzel recipe. Looking forward to trying it out!
Ann

Heather's Blog-o-rama said...

@Ann / Anne Fannie,
Let me kn ow how it turns out ;) :) I'm not a person who cooks a lot or is very creative in the kitchen, so this recipe was very easy for me..and it's very forgiving :) :) :) Plus it tasted just like the pretzels I used to buy in college..Oh, cream cheese is great with these, if you like cream cheese ;) :) Thanks for visiting me :) Feel free to come back here anytime :)

Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather :)

Cindy Adkins said...

Hi Heather,
Greetings from New Orleans! I heard that the Financial Peace was really great...I think it's just good sound advice for people...and also, not to put our hearts and minds into "things." Easier said than done, don't you think?

I hope you are having a beautiful weekend!!!
XO

Heather's Blog-o-rama said...

HI Cindy,
Yes, I really like Dave Ramsey a lot. His radio show is great. He can be a bit brash in my opinion. However, I think that when he does that, he's trying to scare people straight. Yes, the advice is very good and very sound. My weakness is coffee, though..but it's gradually getting better :) :) :) You are so right about trying to not putting our hearts and minds into "things". It is easier said than done..:) :) Have a great weekend. I've got laundry, then breakfast on the schedule for today :) Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather :)

Bluebelle Quilts said...

Heather - Hang in there. It's tough getting into fiscal shape, but once you are - you'll never want to go back. Dave Ramsey does tell it like it is. That's what I like about him. You might also try Living Rich for Less by Ellie Kay. I listened to her audiobook and really like her approach. Clark Howard (www.clarkhoward.com) is an Atlanta based radio talk host/consumer advocate who is a nicer Dave Ramsey but believes in carrying a credit card. Good luck in your quest for fiscal fitness! ~Teresa in Atlanta

Heather's Blog-o-rama said...

Hi Teresa, Thanks for the tips :) :) I actually have that book by Ellie Kay :) :) I'll check out that other guy you mentioned, too :) :) Thanks :) :) Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather :)

Victorian1885 said...

Good afternoon Heather
Your pretzels look so tasty! Thank you for stopping in for a visit on my blog. Have a great Sunday!

Hugs
Wanda

Rebecca said...

My mouth is watering just looking at your pretzel pictures! I'm going to try them this week (although it is a busy week for me/us, so MAYBE I'll try them this week....)

You're in great company as you examine and retool your financial habits, Heather. I know you can/will do it and be happy with the results.

Buttons Thoughts said...

Dear Heather they look so good I could eat one right now. Thanks for sharing. B

Camille said...

How are you doing these days Heather?? Trust all is well. :)

Many blessings,
Camille

Annesphamily said...

Yum! Heather you are an awesome person. I wish we were close. I want to do a tea party and I would love to have you there with Linda and her girls. Hugs Anne