A Fresh New Year

 2025 has begun ...

A picture story for this very cold and dreary month.

A few wonderful bright spots were found along the way.

Another trip around the sun for me and beautiful flowers

from a dear sister-in-law!

It snowed and snowed with still no end in sight!

What is a girl to do

but some yeast baking!

The delicious Fruit and Nut Wreath

by Anneliese,

Mennonite Girls Can Cook

Celebrations - Page 258

**a favourite**

Or a new cinnamon bun recipe

baked with an appreciative

granddaughter!

Snow men and women were built!

A quick cold and rainy get-away to Florida with dear friends

was a welcomed break from the snow!

Disney dinner reservations and lots and lots of shopping were the order of the days!

February has arrived and wondering what it will hold ...

wishing lots of love and happiness to all my dear readers.

Almost getting it!

Till next time ... stay well and cozy! Spring will come!

Lambs and Lions

March slipped in like a lamb ...

and is roaring out like a lion!!!

It seems true what they say - the farmer's Almanac that is.

During all that "Marching" - so much has happened here on this old farm.

The month literally slipped by SO quickly and Spring is on our doorstep.

I have been totally unsuccessful in slowing down time.

Baby Sully turned 11 months old - what!!!!??

He's so sweet, cuddly, and loves to feed himself - with a good appetite I might add!

Always "dressed for dinner" in his tux bib!

We love him to bits.

Noa is growing like a weed and lights up our days with her delightful

stories, love of bird watching, playfulness, and sweet manner.

She can identify so many birds and loves to sit by the window watching them at the feeders.

"Cardnails" are her favourite!

We planted some Tomatillo and Ground Cherry Seeds.

That's what you do in March right?

The Tomatillos sprouted very quickly and have become long a leggy - not sure they will survive till planting time but at least we tried.

Hoping to grow some so we can make the special green sauce we learned to make in Mexico last month.

My baby sister Evelyn's baby girl Elysia is getting married so we had fun

showering her last weekend.

She is the youngest of 24 nieces and nephews.

It was a beautiful day and the room was filled with love and family!

Sisters, sister-in-laws, daughters, nieces and great nieces

Congratulations to the happy couple.

(Elysia is in the middle of the bottom right picture of the collage)

L-R My niece Chrissy, my sister Marie (wearing red and tan top), flanked by her two granddaughters and daughter-in-law, my youngest sister Evelyn (mother of the bride), and Ruby (mother of the groom) - watching the opening of the gifts.

The snacks and nibbles were delicious but the star of the table was

the "Mennonite Girls Can Cook"  party sandwich loaf.

It was posted quite some time ago - click on this link

and I've made it several times!

I adore the recipes and the ladies who have posted them on their blog website

Mennonite Girls Can Cook

and in their much treasured cookbooks!

Another sure sign of Spring was the sighting of a flock of migrating Tundra Swans in a 

field just down the road.

Today, I write this summary of March whilst waiting for a batch of

Mom's Coffee Cake dough to rise.

Hope it turns out - her's was the best.

Trying to chase the Lion part of March away - it's raining and threatening to snow.

The farmer has a nice warm fire glowing and we're staying in tonight.

All is well.

Till next time ... how is your Spring springing?

Kitchen Renos

A long anticipated kitchen reno is underway ...

First came the new stove and now the new

countertops have been put into place.

The dishwasher needs to come out and the old counter top is being unfastened.

Within a couple of hours the new counter top (granite) was carefully set into place

by expert installers.

They came a few weeks earlier to measure with a precise laser machine thing and

everything was cut perfectly, including the exact holes for the taps and sink.

It's called Titanium granite and has some beautiful quartz marbling throughout.

The leathered finish on the stone gives it a beautiful look and we can't stop "petting" it!

My lowered Baker's counter (cause I'm short - smile)

A few more additions are being built this week, 

an island to replace the harvest table,

and a chimney cupboard for storage

(ironic since I really should be getting rid of some things and need "less" storage - sigh).

In the meantime we are putting on a fresh coat of paint,

deciding on a light fixture for above the island,

choosing stools,

and picking out some back splash tile.

Still lots to be done ... stay tuned.

Wanted to share a Cubano sandwich I was inspired to make after reading about

it here on That Skinny Chick Can Bake.  I love her blog!

I even managed to find a Cuban bread recipe that I had to try.

Must be because I had new counter tops to play on that I took the time to make this.

It was delicious - I will be looking for this sandwich on the menu

when we head South this winter!

Our little love is sick with a bad cold this week.

She is such a little darling and manages to keep a good attitude even when sick...

Love her so much!

Till next time ..... stay healthy and warm.

Rocks and Loaves

On the weekend our curling club held it's annual

Valentine Bonspiel.

The roads were horrid but that didn't stop us ...

It was a fun day and the food, as always, was delicious and

beautifully presented by some of the club member's spouses and families.

This is a day we all look forward to each winter.

Today the weather has turned to icy rain - ugh!

So what's a gal to do on a rainy, icy February day?

Perfect timing to bake some bread ... right!?

Two loaves of our forever favourite "Miriam Bread"

(I looked back in my blog recipes and couldn't believe

that I had never posted this delicious bread)

My cousin Miriam makes this bread recipe all the time

and generously shares it with our church family and friends

at potlucks, family reunions, and such.

She even bakes many, many loaves to distribute to her neighbours

and friends on Hallowe'en along with the children's treats!

Can I say, she is almost famous for this yummy bread.

And why not make a savoury kringle bread as well!

You will see a past post on this bread if you click the above link.

This time I changed up the filling a tad (since I didn't have any fresh herbs on hand to use this time).

2 Tbsp. Ground Flax Seed

1 Tbsp. Poppy Seeds

1 large garlic clove - minced

1 Tbsp. chopped sun dried tomatoes

1 Tbsp. parmesan cheese

1 Tbsp. chopped parsley

Before baking I sprinkled the dough with some coarse salt and sesame seeds.

Some baking to warm the hearth and home.

Now I might bake a carrot cake - just because I've been craving it.

Till next time ... stay safe where you are - so many storms passing through these past few days!

West Virginia Pepperoni Rolls

West Virginia Pepperoni Rolls.

Something I've been wanting to try for some time.

I first read about these yummy looking rolls on an interesting

website called Chickens In The Road by Suzanne McMinn

.

Suzanne is a homesteader deep in the rural West Virginia countryside,

milking her own cows, raising goats, horses, etc.,

and of course free ranging chickens!

I so enjoy reading about her farm activities and am always

impressed with her daily farm photos and her delicious recipes.

The first batch I made just didn't quite turn out like they should.

I rolled them incorrectly and let them rise a bit too long, thus causing

large gaps and bubbles in the dough.

I know what she means by practicing to perfect these rolls.

I love that she puts chopped pepperoni, some cheese, and garlic right into the dough

as well as for a filling!

I'm sure that I will be making these again and again.

They taste delicious dipped into pizza sauce.

Christmas 2016 has come and gone - it was wonderful!

The jig saw puzzle has been completed,

most of the decorations have been tucked away,

and lovely memories were made.

Flashback to 1957 when these pictures were taken of my family (siblings)

There was a Christmas Tree behind my tall brother!
Check out the bold oil cloth flooring and fern wall paper - Cool!

I was 5 (almost 6) years old and am third youngest (wearing plaid jumper)
My sister Marilyn and I were holding our baby sister Evelyn!
The china cabinet now lives in my dining room.

I am so thankful for my brothers and sisters.

We have a very large family and many, many wonderful nieces and nephews

who now too are busy raising their beautiful families. 

Another birthday has come and gone - not sure what I think of this one - eek!

The best part was that my daughter and granddaughter took the time to

treat me to breakfast at the "famous" local Anna Mae's Restaurant!

Grammie turns 65!!!

My dear farmer drove a distance during a horrid snow storm the next day

to fetch my gift - a set of golf clubs!

I guess there is hope that at 65 years young, I might take up this

sport of leisure? Time will tell.

Right now we are under a beautiful blanket of white stuff again 

with temperatures to set your teeth a chattering.

It is ever so pretty and especially when we spotted our Amish

neighbours heading to the skating pond with the horses and sleigh.

Snapped this with my iPhone through the windshield - lucky snap!

Oh, how I long for Spring - and maybe even some golfing!

In the meantime, I'll fire up the sauna and count the days till

we head south for some vitamin "sea"!

Till next time ...... Happy New Year to all! May 2017 be extra wonderful and blessed!

Rainy Day Twisted Cheese and Herb Bread

It's been so hot and humid these last few days

and today the skies darkened and the rains came down.

A perfect day to bake some bread.

Well, actually I was boiling some potatoes to make a potato salad

and was left with a nice cup of potato water ....

why not bake some potato bread I say??

I found this recipe on line and adapted it a wee bit:

Twisted Cheese and Herb Bread

5 1/2 - 6 1/2 Cups of Unbleached Bread Flour

2 tsp. salt

3 Tbsp. white sugar

2 Tbsp. brown sugar

1 Cup potato water - luke warm

1 Cup buttermilk - luke warm

1 1/2 Tbsp. instant yeast

1/4 Cup melted butter

Filling:

4 Cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1/2 Cup minced herbs (I used parsley and chives that are growing in my herb bed in abundance)

Method:

In stand mixer or mixing bowl, combine the flour (keeping one cup aside) with the salt and sugar.

In another bowl or large measuring cup, combine the potato water and butter milk. Whisk in the yeast. Add this and the melted butter to the dry ingredients and mix with the dough hook or by hand till combined - let rest for 5 minutes (oops, I forgot this step).

After the 5 minute rest, add in the remaining flour a bit at a time, until you get a soft smooth and tacky but not sticky dough.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for several minutes.

Form the dough into a nice smooth ball and place into a lightly greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise till double in bulk (1-2 hours).

Divide the dough in half and form into two balls. Roll out the dough with a rolling pin to a rectangle of approx. 10 inches by 16 inches.

Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese and half of the chopped herbs onto the rolled out dough. 

Begin rolling it like a jelly roll from the short side.

Pinch the seam together.

With a sharp floured knife cut the loaf in half length wise keeping cut side facing up.

Pinch together the top ends of the loaf and turn the right strip up and over the left strip. Straighten it up and do this again till you reach the bottom.

Now pinch the bottom ends together too.

Carefully move the twisted loaf into a greased loaf pan.

Repeat with the second ball of dough. Cover the pans with a tea towel or waxed paper and let them rise again till they are 1 inch higher than the pan (approx. 35-40 minutes).

Bake at 350F for 40-50 minutes, rotating the loaves and covering with foil if getting too browned at the half way point (after approx. 25 min.).

Let them stand in the pans for a few minutes before removing and run a thin knife around the edges if the cheese has caused it to stick to the pan.

Voila - twisted cheese and herb bread made on a dreary rainy afternoon ...

Taste notes - this bread turned out soft and delicious. I like the texture of bread when using potato water!

Till next time ....... tomorrow is tackle the overgrown and weedy garden day (unless it rains again).

                                       What are you up to this first week of September? 

The Early Bird gets a Cream Bun

Recently while camping we were

told about a wonderful bakery in the nearby town of

Goderich that makes homemade Cream Buns 

(I think they actually call them Cream Puffs).

They are famous and you must arrive 

early, before 10 a.m., if you want to score

any of these little gems from Culbert's Bakery.

Needless to say, we weren't early birds

on the day we took a quick trip into town.

(We were on holidays and didn't move too quickly

in the mornings.)

We did, however, enjoy the delicious tarts that are

also made there.

While making pizza dough for our Sunday Supper

I had a craving for Cream Buns, sparked by that

recent close encounter .... why not make them since I've

got the yeast out anyway?

As my pizza dough proofed I set to work to find the ultimate

Cream Bun Recipe.  I found a New Zealand style recipe online

which I slightly modified....

As you can tell, I need to practice

making consistent rounded buns!

This recipe makes 12 rather large

buns - I think 24 smaller ones would

be perfect - next time I'll try that!

For a rookie cream bun maker,

they turned out not too bad!

They aren't Culberts but

the farmer was heard muttering,

"one isn't enough" as he 

came into the kitchen for a 

second helping.

He suggested holding the icing sugar - not a fan!

Note - the pretty T-Towels

I used for this photo. They were a

sweet gift from dear Kathy from

"Memories and Moments"

who sent these to me by special 

delivery! Bev - thanks again!

Here's the recipe in case you'd like to try making these sometime.

I'll keep practicing to get them just right  ... trouble is - who will eat them???

Cream Buns – New Zealand style

This makes 1 dozen large buns 

2 tsp. yeast

½ Cup lukewarm water

1/3 Cup plus ½ tsp. sugar, divided

½ Cup warm milk

1/3 Cup melted butter

1 tsp. salt

1 Egg – slightly beaten

Approx. 4 Cups all purpose or bread flour

Glaze – Equal amounts of sugar and water (I used 1 oz. of each)

Freshly whipped cream (unsweetened) – for filling

(I ended up sweetening mine slightly with sugar and adding a bit of vanilla and 2 Tbsp. of vanilla instant pudding to stabilize the cream)

Icing sugar for dusting and jam for garnishing

Stir together the warm water, yeast, ½ tsp. sugar. Let stand till yeast begins to get bubbly.

Mix the milk, melted butter, and egg together and then add it to the yeast mixture. Add the 1/3 Cup sugar, salt and 1 Cup flour. Mix, adding the remaining flour ½ Cup at a time. Knead till smooth (may be slightly sticky). Let rise till double in bulk.

Punch down and let rest for 5 minutes. Cut into 12 equal pieces – rolling in hands to make nice round buns. Place them onto a greased cookie sheet. Cover and let rise for approx. ½ hour or until doubled in bulk. Once doubled, preheat oven to 350F and bake for approx. 20 minutes or till golden brown. While they are baking, prepare the glaze by mixing the sugar and water in a sauce pan – heat to boil and remove. Brush glaze onto warm baked buns – cool. 

Cut the buns almost through on an angle, fill with whipped cream and dust with icing sugar and garnish with a dollop of jam – ENJOY!

Next time you're in Goderich check out this bakery 

and, oh yes - go early!!!!

Thanks again Kathy for these lovely T-towels! I always think of you when I use them.

Till next time .......... join me with a cuppa' and a cream bun.