Amish Cinnamon Bread

Have you ever been given a container of Amish Bread Starter?  You know the one - the container of soured milk, flour and sugar that is kept on your counter and you have to feed it new ingredients every few days? Then you have use it in a recipe every so often?  You are then encouraged to pass some of the mix onto a friend who would appreciate it and use it? You know the one I mean?

I remember my mother would receive this "starter" on a regular basis and it would be fun and delicious for a week or two, then it became like a 6th family member having to be fed and taken care of constantly. Eventually she would dump it in the compost bin and take a rest from its sour-dough needs.

Though this sour-dough starter was often a pain in the you-know-where, you could never argue  the fact that whatever was made out of it - biscuits, coffee cake, quick bread - was ALWAYS delicious.

So do you want a recipe that takes just like sour-dough, but you can make from scratch ever time you crave it?

Well here it is!

( This recipe makes 2 loaves. )

Ingredients:

Batter:

1 cup butter, softened

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

2 cups buttermilk (or 2 cups milk plus 2 tablespoons vinegar or lemon juice)

4 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

Cinnamon/sugar mixture:

2/3 cups sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon 

1. Cream together softened butter and sugar. Add in the eggs and stir until smooth.

2. Stir in buttermilk.  

**Did you know that you can turn regular milk into a buttermilk texture by stirring 2 tbsp of lemon juice/vinegar into the milk and letting it sit for for a few minutes??

3. Gradually add 4 cups of flour and baking soda.

4.  Spread 1/2 the batter into 2 greased (or lined with parchment paper) loaf pans (1/4 of the batter into each pan).

5. Stir together cinnamon and sugar to make topping.

6.  Sprinkle 1/2 of this mixture over batter in loaf pans.

7. Spread remaining batter over cinnamon topping.

8. Sprinkle remaining topping over the second layer of  batter.

9. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-55 minutes, depending on your oven.

Cool in pan before removing.

I love how the cinnamon layer swirls and dips as it bakes between the layers of batter.  It looks very pretty when sliced.

Enjoy with a cup of tea and a few girlfriends.

That's how these loaves were devoured early last week!

I'd love to hear how this recipe works out for you.  Do you have any other favourite quick bread recipes that are favourites in your house??

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Bronwyn

"Explorer" Themed Bedroom Inspiration

After finally completing my daughter's  bedroom transformation, my oldest son Bryn quietly requested that we work on his bedroom next.  

Right now, his room looks any boy's room - tons of LEGO, books all over the floor, posters above his bed and tons of stuff pinned to his bulletin board.  

Currently, Bryn is enamoured with the earth and sky and everything geographic in between. He constantly has questions about population, rivers, capital cities and continents.

He's already chosen a bucket list of cities and countries he hopes to visit ASAP (Brazil, India, Mexico City, Paris & Australia).

So when I asked him if he wanted a "World Explorer" theme for his new bedroom, he was thrilled!

I've gathered up some inspiring pictures that will hopefully aid in this makeover. 

First - a few items that we already have and I will use as the basis of my 'design.'

1.  Red bunkbeds

(I bought and painted these 5 years ago when we moved into our current home.  It took FOREVER to paint them, and I am not ready to change them yet!) 

veryrosenberry.com

 2. A blue Hemnes dresser from IKEA.

(Another 5-year-old piece, but it's sturdy and still looks new, so we're keeping it!)

ikea.com

3.  Tan and black map fabric. 

(Bryn helped me pick this out. I was pretty proud of his choice.  Pretty elegant and classy for an 8 year old!)

fabric.com

Now for the "new" elements

1. Union Jack Pillow

Bryn likes the lines on the Union Jack flag.  At first he wanted real  flag to hang above his bed. I convinced him a pillow would be best. : )

wanelo.com

2. Map on the wall

3. Tan coloured walls

4. Cozy blanket for over the foot of the bed.

newlywoodwards.com

5.  Signal flags 

(Like the ones he'd seen recently in a Pirate movie.)

thelilypadcottage.com

6. Map art 

(and words to live by!)

fleamarkettrixie.com

7. Button Art 

(But in the shape of Canada, please!)

jillian audrey designs

8. Flag Pennants

(He requested every country in the world.  I'll make 10!)

themerooms.blogspot.com

9. Graphic Word Art

(He'll choose the cities, I'll make the sign.)

posterrevolution.com

I definitely think we have come up with enough projects for this makeover.  I've begun with some sewing and I'll share Bryn's new window-coverings later in the week.  

Oh! And I haven't even begun to share the changes we have made in the last week on our whole main floor!! We had guests for dinner last night and they couldn't believe how different everything looked.  I'll take some pictures and share ASAP.

Here's to  a wonderful week!

Bronwyn

One Last Summer Mantel

Two weeks until school begins again.  In our house that means all three kids head back and hubby and I return to our teaching positions as well.  It has been a wonderful summer - full of outdoor play, camping, swimming, BBQing and gardening.  

We've also done a ton of work inside  - particularly in the last week or so.  We've been painting and rearranging furniture all in the hopes of using the space we have in a much more effective way. Pics of that in the next few weeks . . .

But first, my last bit of mantel decor for the sunny season of summer.  After this,  I'll probably change it mid-September and  switch to pumpkins and acorns to  usher in autumn.

  

I kept this mantel-scape pretty neutral and clean - just a mix of natural shades and white.

I found a bag of cream and white crochet cotton at the thrift shop recently and thought they would add a interesting, vintage element to my mantel.

Now that we are planning a vacation to France for the summer of 2014, I pulled out a few of our favourite French travel story books.  Hubby and I would like to read them again and having them out where we can see them might help us to remember!

I made this felt leaf garland last fall.  I had put it away temporarily but pulled it out again to drape across the shutters and frames at the top of my arrangement.  

This is the last mantel I'll put together in our living room space at the front of the house.  

We've already moved our electric fireplace/mantel into our new dining space at the back of our home.  

It sits near our table and can be enjoyed more easily and often by the whole family when we eat and cook.  

Gotta love a fireplace that moves more easily then most pieces of furniture!

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Before I go, I'd love to share a few pictures from our most recent camping trip.

We took our newly-renovated camping trailer to a campground about an hour from our home.  

The kids connect so well when there isn't any technology to distract them.

Kevin and I love that we have the freedom to sit and read while the kids frolic nearby.

The kids adored that there was an empty picnic table on a neighbouring campsite.  That meant they could spread their LEGO out on the table and play for hours under the trees.  

Kevin bought this new s'mores contraption while running to the camping store for matches.  It worked wonderfully!

Pool time! This is always the kids' favourite part of each camping trip.

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs to all,

Bronwyn

Our Home - For Real

 We recently had a few friends over for a summer BBQ.

I spent  the day prepping food and weeding the garden. I also gave our home a good cleaning -  decluttering, dusting, tidying and "pretty-ing."

By the time our guests were set to arrive, I took a good look at our home.  

It wasn't perfectly staged - it looked lived in - but it looked nice.  Full of colour and personal touches. 

I took some photos to capture our home as it is - a place of warmth and home-y details.

Here is a wide shot of our family room.  It's where we watch TV and practise the piano.  

We cozy up and read stories on this Ikea couch.  

I made the pillows and afghan and my children put together the 3D puzzle of Notre Dame. 

 And the daisies?? From my garden.  

Across the other side of the room  sits a second-hand easy chair where I do all my knitting.  

Above that is the large mirror that was given to us by our neighbours on our wedding day 11 years ago.  

The dresser has moved homes with us several times - it was my sister's growing up.  

Now to the front of the house - and into our living and dining room.  

I love our small electric fireplace and mantel.  I change its decor on a regular basis.  

This half-wall is right at our front door and sports a welcoming sign.  

This bookshelf changes on a regular basis too.  I love the shots of pastel colour I have on it for the summer season (though it won't be long until we change to autumn!)

And here is the dining room.  It takes up one end of this mid-sized room.  We usually have it set up with seating for 4, but it does stretch out to seat six on special occasions.  

I hope you enjoyed my little house tour.  

We do love our home.

I am glad I captured our house on this particular day.  It never  stays the same for very long !  

In fact, tomorrow I am beginning a large re-painting project in which the whole main floor (except the powder room) will get a new coat of paint.  

And the furniture?  It's getting a real shake-up, too.

There are going to be big changes around here in the next month or two, all in the hopes that we can use the space we have more effectively.

I have a list of things to do that is 5 feet long and I hope to get through most of it before Thanksgiving.

I'll share a few of plans in the next few weeks.

Thanks for stopping by!

Bronwyn

A Summery Recipe : A Rhubarb Fool

         I have made this yummy summer recipe only a few  times, but every time I serve it is met with rave reviews.  I first found the recipe on a Canadian cooking show nearly 10 years ago.  I wrote down the recipe quickly on a slip of paper and added it to my recipe scrap book.  I have no idea the name of the show, the name of the chef on the show or what year I wrote it down. I guess it really doesn't matter.  All that matters is that IT IS GOOD!

     

The chef on the TV show called it a "Rhubarb Fool." So this is what I have called it all long. Now is that the right name???I am not sure.

 A fool (obsolete spelling foole) is an English dessert. Traditionally, a fruit fool is made by folding pureed stewed fruit (classically gooseberries) into sweet custard. Modern fool recipes often skip the traditional custard and use whipped cream. 

(Wikipedia)

My recipe definitely uses pureed stewed fruit and is stirred into sweet whipped cream.

However, my recipe also has the addition of egg white meringue.

So, according to my friend's very British mother, I actually made an "Eton Mess."

An Eton mess is a traditional English dessert consisting of a mixture of strawberries, pieces of meringue and cream, which is traditionally served at Eton College's annual cricket game against the pupils of Harrow School.  An Eton mess can be made with many other types of summer fruit, but strawberries are regarded as more traditional.

(Wikipedia)

Regardless of the name you give it, give this recipe a try.  You won't regret it!!

To make the meringue:

1. In the bowl of your electric mixer, whip 4 large egg whites until foamy and frothy.

2.  Stir in 1/4 tsp cream of tartar.

3. Gradually add in 1 cup of white sugar until the mixture forms stiff peaks.  

4. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.

(Note: The meringue is done when it holds stiff peaks and when you rub a little between your thumb and index finger it does not feel gritty. If it feels gritty the sugar has not fully dissolved so keep beating until it feels smooth between your fingers.)

5.  Spread the mixture on a parchment or tinfoil lined cookie sheet.  Spread it until it is less that 1/2 thick.

6.  Bake the meringue for 3 hours at 200 degrees Celcius.  Turn it once an hour.  The meringue is done when it is dried the whole way through .

To prepare the fruit:

1. Put 4 cups chopped rhubarb,  2 tbsp honey, the juice and zest of 1 orange, 2 tbsp grated fresh ginger and 1 tsp vanilla into a medium saucepan.  

2. Stir to combine, then cover and cook, stirring every few minutes for 10 minutes, until the mixture has come to a boil and the rhubarb has softened.

To prepare the whipped cream:

1.  Using your electric mixer, whip 2 cups of whipping cream until it is frothy and thick. Do not overmix or you'll end up with butter! Stir in 1/2 cup icing sugar.

To make the desserts:

1. Break the meringue into small pieces.

2.  In your serving dishes, layer the three mixtures in a visually pleasing manner.  I always try to save some meringue to sprinkle on top.

This recipe could probably make 6 average sized desserts.  I managed to make only 4, but they were really big!!

Sometimes bigger IS better!!

I am planning on making this recipe once more this summer.  I may go with the traditional strawberry puree instead of the rhubarb.  I am sure it will be equally as scrumptious as my previous batch!

If you like what you see, I'd love for you to become and follower.  

Click on the button at the top of my blog to begin following me on Bloglovin'.

Hugs to all and thank-you for all of your sweet comments!

Bronwyn

Daddy's Shirts : A Memory Quilt

This is my dad. He passed away 2 years ago from ALS ( Lou Gehrig's Disease.) Though he is gone now, this is how I'll always remember him - full of laughter and joy, love for his family and a penchant for button down Oxford shirts in stripes and plaids.  

It took a long time for my mother to decide what to do my my father's things after he had made the journey to heaven.  She wanted to keep a few things that helped spur memories, but also needed to move on. A closet full of Daddy's clothes usually made her feel worse, instead of better, so gradually she gave away his things.

She seemed to hold onto a particularly large bag of Daddy's shirts for a long time.  One day I asked her what her plans were.  

"Maybe there is a use for them?" she said.

"Of course there is, " I replied.

I volunteered to take these 30 shirts with me and find a "good use" for them.  

It didn't take me long to figure out a plan.

 I took my rotary cutter to each shirt and cut enough "tumbler" blocks to make 4 quilts - one for my mother, one for me and one for each of my 2 sisters.  

I tried to cut the pieces to incorporate button bands, buttons, and pockets so that the quilts were recognizably made from shirts. 

I think this is the perfect way to make these shirts "useful" again.

Now that the quilts are sewn, once again, we can wrap the warmth of our husband/father around us.

He can keep us cozy on cold winter nights.

We can study each pattern and remember the events to which he wore each shirt and how he filled those get-togethers with singing, joke-telling and laughter.

We can think about how his favourite colour was purple, but he never really strayed from the straight and narrow shade of  "blue"  when he shopped.  

We can remember fondly a man who put his family first and was a joy to spend time with right until the end.  

We miss you, Daddy.  

Luckily, we have so many sweet reminders of you that you are never far from our minds.

XOXOXO

To finish this post, something a bit lighter.

This is Camden.  

He likes watermelon.

By the looks of these pictures, this must be the yummiest watermelon, EVER!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs to you and yours!!

Bronwyn