Trying something new.... noodle making!

This was our first try at making noodles, and I have to admit I was pretty surprised that
they actually turned out... and tasted really good!

Elaina is such a good helper. :)

Mom making the dough

Seth! :)

Yummy :)

We're back!

We are home from Alaska! It was SO much fun but it is nice to be home, too. Alaska is beautiful! It was so amazing to be able to see God's earth and His love for us shown through His creation. It was also so great getting to be with our family, especially the ones who live far away and we hardly ever get to see. :(

Today we cleaned, painted, did about 8 loads of laundry, worked in the yard, practiced our instruments (yay! I was REALLY missing my violin! And the piano. :D), made bread, bread sticks (yum!), more bread, and Andi made cherry/strawberry crisp. So it has been a busy day!

I will post pictures of Alaska and write more about the trip later.

In Christ,
Marissa

Cinnamon Swirl Bread

So, I was flipping through the cookbook the other day, looking for something to make, and I came across this bread. My family loves making bread and I heard a big 'YES! Make that!!' when I suggested it, so I made it. I fudged a little bit on the recipe but it turned out to be some of the best bread I have ever made or tasted! So here's the recipe:

4-1/2 tsp. of yeast
1/3 cup warm water (110-115 degrees)
1 cup warm milk (110-115 degrees)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup sugar, divided
6 Tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
1-1/2 tsp. salt
5-1/2 - 6 cups all-purpose flour
2 Tablespoons ground cinnamon

In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add milk, eggs, 1/2 cup sugar, butter, salt and 2-1/2 cups flour; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch dough down; divide in half. Roll up each rectangle from a short side; pinch seam to seal. Place seam side down in two greased 9 in. by 5 in. by 3 in. loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1-1/2 hours. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans and cool on wire racks. Yields 2 loaves.

Now we didn't have very much time yesterday so I only let it rise for 15 minutes all together. I didn't let it rise when it says to right before you bake it. It turned out beautiful! I let it rise for longer the next day (when I made it again ☺) and it wasn't as good or beautiful!
DON'T LET IT RISE THE WHOLE TIME! :D
I would suggest 15-20 minutes. :D

God Bless,
-Andrea