Instant (well almost) Soft Pretzels!

I, again, forgot to pack an ice pack, of any kind, on a multi-tasking trip around the area. My solution, per usual, is to buy a pack of Rhodes bread dough.  Of course, when you do this on a 80+ degree, hot and humid day, it is going to thaw.  And then the challenge is to figure out what to do with five thawed loaves of bread.  Sooooo, I decided to make soft pretzels!!

The first thing you do is let the dough rise at room temperature overnight. Be prepared to find a huge, bloated, piece of dough in the morning. Punch it down and when you are ready to do something with it, it will be ready.

I had C#1 smoosh out about 3 or 4 loaves of it into a large jellyroll like pan.  I then used a cutting tool (a regular, sharp, knife would work) and sectioned it off into pieces about 3x1 inches in size.

Stir together 1/2 cup of warm water and 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Stir it until the soda is dissolved.  Dip each piece into the soda water and put on a cooking sheet about an inch apart.  Sprinkle with salt - I used sea salt, but, whatever you want is just fine.

Bake these items for 15-18 minutes or until they are browned.

These taste wonderful with melted butter or hot nacho cheese.

Definitely a good use of bread dough!

Till next time...

I survived the middle schoolers!

I survived the middle schoolers!

But, I am surprised I am not completely deaf...

They had a DJ and the music was very, veryyyyyyy loud. But, that might be because I am getting old. Of course, I wasn't the only adult that thought it was too loud.

I found it highly entertaining to watch these children run and dance around for two hours.

The DJ played many line dances.  "The Macarena," "The Chicken Dance," "The Hokey Pokey," "The Locomotion" -- just to name a few. 

 The Locomotion?!?!?  More like crazy train.

I was sad that the DJ didn't play "The Electric Slide" or "Crocodile Rock."  I might have had to participate.  But, then that would probably have made me "uncool."  C#2 did tell me not to be like the "Goldbergs" mom (a really funny show on ABC about a family in the 1980's.)  Although one of her friends tried to get me to participate in the dancing festivities. But, alas, I am now an old fogey and I don't know any "good" dance moves.

I am also happy to report there was no excessive PDA.  And only a little tiny bit of that even. There were only two slow songs and for the most part they all acted shy and weirded out by the whole idea of dancing with a boy or girl.  I will just presume they will "get over" that next year -- YIKES!  I will not volunteer for that function. I might have to cry.

So there you have it. My adventure with a large group of children that are 12 and 13.

As an aside, I felt a little bit bad for any of the children than knew me.  You know you go to these functions to get away from the adults (parents) you know.  C#2 didn't seem to mind.  She used me as a pit stop to drop her winnings, camera, etc. And I will admit that I took pictures without her permission and she didn't seem to mind.  I didn't go crazy with pictures, because, I wouldn't want to be "uncool," ya know....

Till next time.

I get to chaperone a middle school event tonight!

Now who's excited for me?!?!?  I have had to promise C#2 that I will not follow her around or take pictures or be totally uncool in front of her friends.  I promise to get permission first before taking any pictures.

I asked C#2 what would be my responsibilities as a chaperone.  And I quote, " Make sure no one is sucking face."  All righty then! I wouldn't think that would be a problem for children this age.....  But, I guess I am wrong -- I guess they are 12 and 13 years old that do this -- OYE!

Apparently there are children "dating" each other and asking each other to this event. Thankfully not mine.

I will let you know how it goes.  I am actually looking forward to see how these little hooligans behave. And I hope no one gets in trouble.

Till next time...