Have You Ever Had A Day....

Hello Friends!
  Have you ever had a day when everything went...right?  I'm in the midst of one of these rare, coveted days and I have to admit that I might be enjoying it, maybe even a little too much!  The big boys (the twins) played basketball and took dogs out earlier while I was doing school work with Sam.  Then Sam shifted over to practicing his Bible verses while I started Daniel and Jonah on their school work.  Then I went into the kitchen and got hamburger buns started in the bread machine and pulled the pork and got it into the crock pot.  Then Jonah went to sleep (this part is not the best in the world... he has his days and nights mixed up again, but it is good that he's sleeping) and Daniel helped me make BBQ sauce - and I don't usually get excited about dinner, but I can't wait to feed my family tonight!  I hope they feel all the love that went into their meal. 
 Does that sound hopelessly corny?  I love making things from scratch and do so joyfully because I know it is the best thing for my family (do we really need High Fructose Corn Syrup in our hamburger buns?), but honestly, sometimes I get tired and wonder if it is worth it.  Well, I know it is worth it every day and I'm grateful for an easy day that has allowed the blessings to shine through.

Here are the recipes for our BBQ Sauce and Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns (this is the first time I've used this recipe and it is WONDERFUL!). 

Homemade BBQ Sauce
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1/2 medium onion, diced
2 stalks celery with leaves, diced
3 T. extra virgin coconut oil (can substitute other oil)
1 jar (half pint or small store-bought can) tomato paste
2 cups water
1 cup apple cider vinegar
4 pinches celery salt
1 t. garlic powder
1/4 cup white sugar
1 t. molasses  (can substitute 1/4 cup brown sugar for white sugar and molasses)
5 drops hot sauce
3 T. yellow mustard

Sautee onion and celery in oil until soft.  Add tomato paste and water and stir until tomato paste is broken down completely in water.  Add remaining ingredients and simmer for at least 15 minutes.


Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns (from Bread Machine Magic)
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1 cup water
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 t. salt
1/4 cup shortening (or vegetable oil)
1/4 cup sugar
3 t. yeast

Place all ingredients in bread machine container and select dough setting.  When it is done with its cycle, turn out onto floured surface and roll and shape the dough into a 12 inch rope.  Divide dough with a sharp knife into 8 hamburger buns. Grease baking sheet.  Roll dough into balls and flatten for hamburger buns.  Place on prepared baking sheet. Cover and let rise in warm oven until almost doubled in size.  Preheat oven to 400*.  Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool on racks.