Bacon Hearts - Pin Fail

I saw this on Pnterest and thought it would be a cute way to start the morning.

Bacon "hearts" before baking:

And after:

You be the judge. After looking back at the original inspiration, I only now noticed the cook cut the bacon pieces in half, and folded each in a "c" shape to create the hearts.  Worth another try.  At least they tasted good - Brian noted they are now "one bite" bacon slices.  Not sure if that's good or bad. 

Project: Pipe Cleaner Sight Words

I saw this idea on Pinterest (where else).  Set out a bunch of cards with sight words on them.  Put out a fist full of letter beads and some pipe cleaners.  Let the fun begin! 

Robin tested it out first for me. Her favorite letter is, of course "R" so she liked picking them out and lacing them on the pipe cleaners. 

I set out the invitation to Erin starting just with the letter beads and pipe cleaners.  She first made a bracelet with her name on it and some heart beads, for Brian to take when he goes to PDX so he can think of her. 

I then presented her with the list of 30 words they're working on in her kindergarten. (No, not all at the same time. They've covered about 5 so far.)  She got excited and tore through about 10 of them, reading the words with no problem and stringing the beads happily.  A good 15 minutes of focused activity! Then she said she was done.  I'd say it was a success! 

Robin enjoyed some more bead stringing and made a necklace. 

Craft: MACRAME!!!!

And you thought people stopped doing Macrame in the early '80's.

So, I found this idea on pinterest, and it was re-enforced through a kid craft book I found at the library.  So easy, and I think any kid about 4 or up can do it.

Take 2 pieces of long yarn, in complimentary colors (this is a good thing to let the child decide).   Fold them in half and tie a loop in the middle.  Tape the loop onto a firm surface.  We used a square plastic picnic plate, turned upside down. Tape down one of each color string to the bottom. Show the child how to make alternating knots.  For Erin here, the white color I showed her to make a "4", then loop the end under, and....

... pull up to make the knot.  The right side will make a "P" shaped loop.  She proudly told Dad that she was making him something full of "4's and P's".  He looked puzzled, but was encouraging. 

Step and repeat until it's long enough for a friendship bracelet.

OK, so Erin hasn't finished the project yet, but she will.  It's a present for Brian so SHHHHHHHH....

Pin Attempt: 30 minute french bread

Remember Pinterest?

I found this recipe today, and couldn't resist the allure of the quick, crunchy possible result.

The first attempt was promising, but not a success.  Not a total fail, but not a total *aha* kinda recipe.

First off - the recipe calls for 2 c water to 3-4 c flour.  I used about 6, and I think it probably could have used more.

Second, the rise.  The recipe says you don't really need one.  I did, for about 20 min.  It could have used more.  Traditional breads usually have two rises - one proof, one in the final shape of loaf.  Part of the attraction of this recipe is the allure of a nearly no-rise yeast bread, just as easy as a quick bread, right?

Third, the baking technique.  It calls for tossing 3-4 c ice in the bottom of the oven just as you put the loaves in, shutting the door, and not opening it for at least 15 minutes.  I'm down with that, I understand the steam will create a deliciously crisp crust.  However the logistics were a nightmare.  Trying to toss in that much ice, into a 425F oven?  Yikes.  Half the ice got wedged in the hinge of the oven door.  One reader commented it might short out the coils, and another suggested heating a rimmed baking sheet in a lower rack and putting the ice cubes there.  Will try that next time.

The fun part was letting the kids work with a hunk of the dough and making their own mini loaves.  Erin made a heart (bottom left on this picture), Robin made some lumps.

The taste:  Somewhere in-between a quick bread and a yeasted bread.  I will try tweaking this a bit and see if I can get it working for us.