Proud to have been featured at Farmhouse Friday at The Painted Hinge

…but at least we have good bread!
For whatever reason, I have attended many a potluck in my lifetime. When asked what I was going to contribute, I always said “I can bring homemade sourdough bread!” This statement was almost always greeted by a look of pure awe or barely disguised disbelief. Even now, some of you are thinking…sourdough bread isn’t that really hard…time consuming…better left to the experts? Just have some faith…and a good starter, and you can impress your family and friends with the crusty, chewy goodness. The basic starter is probably the most challenging aspect. However, if you can measure and mix flour and water, you can make starter. There are terrific recipes all over Pinterest, or let me know and I can give you my own secret recipe.

This recipe is a good beginner’s sourdough bread because most of the uncertainty of the rise is removed with the addition of a little yeast. It is great for a newer starter…and absolutely delicious.

The usual Cast of Characters

1 cup “fed” sourdough starter

1 1/2 cups lukewarm water

2 teaspoons instant yeast

2 1/2 teaspoons salt

5 cups Bread flour

1 tbs dough enhancer…optional but highly recommended.

The Steps to Glory

1. Combine all of the ingredients, kneading to form a smooth dough. I use a kitchen aide mixer on low about 8-10 minutes

2. Allow the dough to rise, in a lightly greased, covered bowl, until it’s doubled in size, about 90 minutes. Keep in a warm spot.

3. Gently divide the dough in half; it’ll deflate somewhat.

4. Gently shape the dough into two oval loaves. Place the loaves on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and let rise until very puffy, about 1 hour. Towards the end of the rising time, preheat the oven to 425°F.

4.Spray the loaves with lukewarm water. This step is essential for the crusty outside, soft inside beauty of sourdough.

5. Make two fairly deep diagonal slashes in each using a serrated bread knife. Sprinkle with sea salt.

6. Bake the bread for 25 to 30 minutes, until it’s a very deep golden brown.

7. This is my secret tip just for you…turn oven off, prop open door with an oven mitt and allow the bread to cool in the oven. Don’t remove until the outside is cool enough to touch. Why do this? It prevents the Bread from having a soggy outside from the evaporation as it cools. Soggy bread is just sad.

8. Remove, slice and enjoy…and accept all the compliments. Just don’t tell them how easy it was to do.

Even Anna would be impressed!

Inspire me Monday. Tuesday at our house. Inspire me Tuesday. Make it pretty. Metamorphosis. You’re the Star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Talk Of The town. Keep in touch. Party in your pjs. Wednesday blog hop. Your whim. Share your style. Home and garden. Waste not.Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm. Friday features. Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at Home. Pit Stop. Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Best of the weekend. Create bake grow. Snickerdoodle. Happiness is homemade. Silver pennies. Create with joy. Over the Moon Creatively crafty Senior salon. Turn about Tuesday Wednesday Aim Home style gathering celebrate your story Little cottage Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday Fresh Farm Tuesday What’s for dinner

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So excited to have my back to school mantel featured at Little Cottage Link Party

It seems like Christmas just flew by…it was here and now it’s gone. It was a lovely but brief season this year with such a late Thanksgiving, and I just don’t have the heart to tuck away the splendor of it all quite yet. Sometime next weekend, they will begin to seem odd and cluttered, but for now they still bring me joy! I hope you enjoy them as well…

We will still have the memories…

Inspire me Monday. Tuesday at our house. Inspire me Tuesday. Make it pretty. Made by you. Metamorphosis. You’re the Star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Talk Of The town. Keep in touch. Beautifully made. Party in your pjs. Wednesday blog hop. Your whim. Share your style. Home and garden. Waste not. Style showcase. Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm. Friday features. Feather nest. Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at Home. Pit Stop. Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters. Sweet Inspiration. Best of the weekend. Create bake grow. . Fresh market. Faith and family. Sunday at home. Snickerdoodle. Happiness is homemade. Silver pennies. Create with joy. Over the Moon Creatively crafty Senior salon. Turn about Tuesday Wednesday Aim Home style gathering celebrate your story Little cottage Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday farm fresh. Simple homestead

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School is over, vacation has started, the energy level is high at the house…thanks to a certain little Princess. We are baking, shopping, packing, singing and reveling in the season…and I’m looking forward to some. It can’t happen yet…but in a few days, Christmas is here and the build up will be over and there will be time for the quiet reflection of the holiday beyond the beautiful vintage decor and steamy mugs of hot chocolate. It may not be Hallmark perfect but it will be pretty darn nice… enjoy what I’m enjoying right now in my cozy home!

A tradition just started…Princess time at the Nutcracker tea!

Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

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I was featured at Wednesday Blog Hop! Check it out !

In between the busy, when the house is quiet and the day is almost over, I like to sit and just enjoy our lovely home dressed up in Christmas fineness. Sometimes it’s the simple touches that grab my heart, evergreen tucked into a vintage milk bottle or cute little gingerbread men peeking from am enamelware pot. Sometimes a little glitz makes me smile, gold capiz shell angels and shiny mercury glass trees sparkling in the firelight. Aesthetically confusing, perhaps, but it makes happy. I hope it makes you happy as well!

And what can match the perfection of a cheery gingerbread house, decorated with love!

Inspire me Monday. Tuesday at our house. Inspire me Tuesday. Make it pretty.Metamorphosis. You’re the Star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Talk Of The town. Keep in touch. Party in your pjs. Wednesday blog hop. Your whim. Share your style. Home and garden. Waste not. Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm. Friday features. Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at Home. Pit Stop Thursday Favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters. Best of the weekend. Create bake grow . Faith and family . Snickerdoodle. Happiness is homemade. Silver pennies. Create with joy. Over the Moon Creatively crafty Senior salon.Home style gathering celebrate your story Little cottage Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday fresh farm Friday. Simple homestead