Sweet Bread

This bread hits the sweet spot. It is melt in your mouth goodness. I have had it as a snack to fill my sweet crave, as dessert and of course for breakfast with coffee. My all time favorite breakfast bread is Cinnamon Raisin bread but this Sweet bread is right up there with it.

                                            Sweet Bread Recipe
                                            *For bread machine*

1 Cup of water
1/4 Cup of butter or margarine (My husband used butter.)
1 Large egg
1 1/2 Teaspoons of vanilla extract
1 1/4 Teaspoons of molasses
1 Teaspoon of salt
3 3/4 Cups of bread flour
1/2 Cup of sugar
3 Tablespoons of milk
2 Teaspoons of active dry yeast
3/4 Cup of raisins

1. Measure and add liquid ingredients to bread pan.
2. Measure and add dry ingredients (except the yeast) to bread pan.
3. Form a well (hole) in the flour using your finger. This is where you will pour your yeast into. Pour the yeast carefully into your well in the flour making sure that the yeast does not make contact with the liquid.
4.Put your bread pan into your bread machine and close the lid.
5. Select your Sweet bread setting.
6. Choose your crust color.
7. Press Start.

Coop Progress

Reclaimed wood.

The progress so far.

Over the last few weeks we have been working towards gathering the materials to build our chicken coop. Hoping to use reclaimed wood. We did come across some reclaimed wood and were able to use a small part of it for the floor structure of the chicken coop. We decided it was best to get new wood for the frame work of the coop and will see what we come up with to use for the walls. My husband and brother-in-law built the floor  structure and framed up the main part of the coop over the weekend. This was a trick to accomplish due to 30 to 40 mph winds all day on Saturday and a snow storm that moved in Sunday afternoon. While the guys worked on building the coop my son and I worked on setting concrete blocks in the ground where the run will be. Progress at this point is moving slow. We are all eager to get this completed.

From the Kitchen

     The following recipe is the most delicious bread! I have it with coffee in the morning for breakfast.

                   RAISIN BREAD for Breadmaker
                          *makes a 2 pound loaf*

                      1 and 1/4 cups of water
                      2 tablespoons of butter
                      2 teaspoons molasses (full flavor molasses)
                      1 and 1/2 teaspoons of salt
                      4 cups of bread flour
                      3 tablespoons of sugar
                      2 tablespoons of dry milk (My husband used 2% milk.)
                      1 and 1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon
                      2 and 1/4 teaspoons of active dry yeast
                      1 cup of raisins
                      1 cup of walnuts (either whole or broken up)

   1. Measure and add liquid ingredients to bread pan.
   2. Measure and add dry ingredients (except yeast) to bread pan.
   3. Use finger to make a well in the flour for pouring the yeast into.        
       *You don't want the yeast to come into contact with any liquid.
       *Measure yeast and pour carefully into the well in the flour.
   4. Put your bread pan into your breadmaker.
   5. Use the basic setting.
   6. Choose your crust - light, medium or dark.
   7. Then start.

Starting Seeds Steps

Monday was the last day of the our three day weekend.The morning began with some snow falling for a few hours that later turned to rain. A good day to get started on our seed starts. All the items needed were gathered at the kitchen table and my son and I commenced to gardening indoors.     

Potting soil, small 3"pots, seeds and a container for mixing the potting soil with water. Add water to potting soil until the potting soil sticks together but remains spongy feeling.  Place the pots on a cookie sheet or tray. (This will come in handy when you water them later.) Fill pots about 3/4 full of dirt. Place seeds on top of dirt then fill pots rest of the way full of dirt. Don't forger to label your seeds! Then carefully water. Take care to not over water. You can leave the pots on the cookie tray and then place into a plastic bag for the greenhouse effect. I chose to place mine in an extra aquarium that we have. Check soil now and then for moistness, water when needed and soon there will be sprouts.

      This process didn't take long to complete and was quite enjoyable. Especially since we have been itching to get things happening outside. I have more seeds to start but need to wait a bit before doing so.

Starting Seeds

     Looking at getting a jump start on some plant growing. It is much too soon to plant anything in the ground yet but preparations can be started. The garden soil needs to be tilled and more nutrients added for healthy plants. Tossing around a new layout for our garden as well. In the past we have planted our rows east to west. We would like to try north to south this year and increase the size of our garden. We have a nice large area that we have only used half of in years past. In so doing we can plant more of our favorite vegetables and try several new ones.

     Most of the seeds that we can start in doors have been purchased, along with the potting soil and small containers to start them in. I will be using an old aquarium as a terrarium for the "green house" for the seeds while they are inside. I purchased a few different flower seeds as well. I couldn't help my self. I will be starting this very soon as most of the seeds that we have, need approximately 8 weeks indoors before being transplanted outside. The last weekend of April, first weekend of May should be right about the time they need to go in the ground.

Thinking chickens

   It's time to get in gear and ready ourselves for chickens! This is something I have to admit that when my husband mentioned wanting chickens again last summer (we had them many years ago), I wasn't all that excited about it. Thinking I had my hands full with our garden and other summer time activities, I wasn't ready or wanting to take on something else.  Since then I have had lots of time to think about chickens and realize how much I miss having them. Thinking back, I have had them since I was about 10 years old and even when my husband and I first married. Then the dry spell. No chickens. Got used to buying eggs at the store and not having chickens or all of the wonderful things that come along with them. Realizing this has spurred me into action. Not only seeing the need for chickens but to come back full circle to the ways I remember living as a child and the excitement I hold for showing this way of life to my son and the wonderful things he will experience and learn.

Beginnings

     With the start of a new year comes new thoughts and ideas. Over the last year my thoughts have traveled back to my childhood memories. Memories of my Mother and Grandmother canning in the kitchen, harvesting fresh fruit and veggies from our garden, collecting eggs from our chickens, a simpler life. Some would call it living frugal. I think of it as living smart. This "lifestyle" that is making a comeback was normal everyday life for me as a child. One that I know now is so important and am eager to start living again. That being said - is where the idea came from to write down and share the events of the "beginnings" of the 3Beeze Homestead.