Holly, the Happy Homemaker

Right now, I have a loaf of homemade bread in the oven.  I am actually making bread, me, Holly Marie Miller Mierzejewski.  It is crazy to me sometimes how different I am than who I thought I would be.


Now, I still am not very crafty, I don't make my own clothes, and I hate to clean.  But when it come to the kitchen, I have to say I am pretty "homey."


I love it.  I love making bread and all kinds of other homemade things.  As I said before, I have become a bit of a fanatic about what I eat, so the best way to navigate through all that is make things myself.  Then, I know exactly what ingredients are in my food.  I make muffins, energy bars, pancakes, brownies, waffles, cookies, and lots of other stuff all from scratch.  No box mixes for me.  I love to take a recipe and make it my own, tweak it, make it healthier if I can.  Scout said today "you are always putting something healthy in our food."  I try.


Here's my bread recipe from my awesome sis-in-law.  This one I haven't tweaked because it is so good as is.


Whole Wheat Bread
1 1/4 c warm water
1/8 c agave nectar
1/4 c apple sauce
1 tbs olive oil
1 3/4 - 2 c flour
1/2 tbs yeast
1/2 tbs salt


Combine water, apple sauce, oil, agave, flour, yeast and salt in that order.
Let sit 10 mins
Mix again, adding 1/2c flour at a time until correct bread dough consistency.  Mix/ knead at least 10 mins.
Put in well greased bread pan
Let rise 10-20 mins.
Put into cold oven, bake at 350 for 35 mins.
I do all of the mixing/ kneading in a big mixer with a bread hook.


The bread just come out of the oven and the house smells awesome!  Can't wait to slice into it.


What do you love to make from scratch and/ or makes your house smell awesome?


Peace,
Holly

My Story (Part 2)

Between being sick and lots of basketball games, I kinda forgot to post.  So, here's a little more of my story...


Matt and I were married right out of college (well, I was right out of college, he's older, cradle robber:)  And, we were married in a church to keep my grandmother happy; it didn't really mater to us.  We moved to Colorado the first year and loved it.  It was great to be away from everyone we knew and really get to know each other as a married couple.  


Over the next six years, we moved back to Ohio, to Michigan, then back to Ohio.  We loved everywhere we lived for different reasons.  Life was good.  We were happy.  Definitely had no need for God in our lives.  Again, that was for weak people who weren't as happy or as smart as us.


And then, Scout was born and life changed, A LOT! I don't think anyone can really explain how different life is once you have kids.  There is nothing that can really prepare you for it.  


What was the biggest surprise when you had kids?


Peace,
Holly

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

I love this time of year.  The NCAA Tournament is by far the absolute best!!!  What else can I say!


Will you be glued to the TV every weekend for the next 3 weeks, like me?  


Peace,
Holly

Bad at being sick

I often give Matt a hard time about being a bad sick person, but after the last three days, I think I may have him beat.  I think all I have done is complain and sleep, my poor family.  Not even sure what they have been eating for their meals.


If you feel moved, say a prayer that I feel better soon.  If not for me, for my family!


Peace,
Holly

My Story (Part 1)

In my first post, I said that I would share more about myself and my journey.  So, here is part 1.


I was raised Catholic, went to a Catholic school wearing really pretty brown, yellow and white plaid uniforms.  I loved it, loved going to church, loved my school.  My only problem was that I often got in trouble with the nuns because I asked too many questions.  I liked to talk a lot too.  


When I was in the eighth grade, we moved and I started attending a public school.  Being the age when you start questioning everything, I did.  By the time I headed off to college, I didn't believe in God anymore.  I think I still thought there was something, but I was sure it wasn't the church.  


In college, I was pretty brutal to my believing friends.  I loved to argue with them and push them until they gave up frustrated and mad at me.  I never got mad, just liked to push buttons (ask my brother, I am pretty good at it).


I never thought faith was a bad thing, just something I didn't need.  It was great if it helped people, but I was strong enough on my own and didn't need God.  My life was good and I was able to handle any problems that came my way without faith in some pretend, invisible being.  


That's the first part of my faith journey.  Stayed tuned for the rest of the story...


What were you like in high school/ college?  Were you as smart as I was (ha ha)?


Peace,
Holly

Happy Fat Tuesday!

Yesterday I wrote a little bit about how we are eating healthier at our house.  
Here's our afternoon snack today...


paczkiday.com
Click on this link, I think it will make you smile.


So, I think I am officially not a food-nazi.  There is nothing healthy about these, but they are sooooo good!  If you are Polish, I think you have to eat one of these today; it's the law or something.


Happy Fat Tuesday!


Peace,
Holly


By the way, if you want one and live in the Denver area, the only place I know of is the Royal Bakery in Arvada.  My peeps in the Midwest, you know where to find one:)

Just say no to the arches

We do not eat fast food very often anymore.  We have made some lifestyle changes and just can't eat most of the "food" they serve.  I am not a food-nazi like Matt would have you believe, but if I  have a choice at all, we are not eating there.  


The other day we stopped at the arches because Scout had to go potty and they always have clean bathrooms.  Alina and I stayed in the car and here's the conversation we had.


Alina:  Why don't we get to eat at McDonald's anymore?
Me:  Because their food is bad for you.
Alina:  Chicken nuggets aren't healthy?
Me:  They aren't even really chicken.  There is a whole bunch of other stuff in there.
Alina:  Really?  That's gross.
Alina:  But I want a Barbie toy?  (the poster for the toy was on the door)
Me:  That's how they get you to eat their bad food, by giving you a toy.
Alina:  Really?


When the boys returned, without any prompting from me, she told Scout why we weren't eating at McDonald's anymore and that they are liars because chicken nuggets aren't chicken. 


Matt just kept shaking his head.  I have to say I thought it was pretty awesome.  I thought it would take a lot more than one conversation to convince my kids we didn't need to eat there anymore.  Those toys are hard to compete with!


What lessons have been easier to teach your kids than you thought?
Do you think I am a food-nazi?

Peace,
Holly