Cinnamon Raisin Bread

Just baked a "cinnamon raisin bread" rather than buying this at the store, it cost at least $3.49 or $3.99 a loaf at the store.  Quick and easy to make and prepare.  This yeast batter bread is made of cinnamon and raisins, it's tender, and perfect for breakfast or snacks.

CINNAMON RAISIN BREAD
Preparation Time:  25 minutes
Cook Time: 35 to 40 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup light brown sugar
2 pkgs active dry yeast
1-1/2 cup warm milk
2 eggs
6 tbsp unsalted melted butter
4-1/2 cups unbleached all purpose flour
1/2 tsp kosher salt
2 tsps. cinnamon
1-1/2 cups raisins

PREPARATION:
Grease 2 bread pans, set aside.  In large bowl, combine brown sugar and milk until dissolved.  Sprinkle yeast over the mixture and let it stand for 5 minutes.  Add eggs and beat well, then beat 6 tablespoons of melted butter.  Stir flour, salt, and cinnamon into the mixture.  Mix in raisins and spread batter into prepared bread pans.  Brush top with 2 tbsp. melted butter.  Cover and let rise until double about 30 to 45 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Bake bread for 30 - 35 minutes until golden brown.  Let it cool, serve hot with coffee or tea.....Enjoy!

 

 

Split Squares Quilt

Started this "crazy split squares quilt" and now I am going bananas, I am having problem what color would be the backing, I placed the batting 2" bigger than the top quilt and the backing will be at least 5" than the top quilt....so the size would be 50X70" but I do not have a fabric for the backing....perhaps I will mix 2 color of fabrics for the backing...any suggestions?

This is how I started, dark to medium color 35 squares of 11X11", 35 squares of 7 1/2 X 7 1/2", 35 squares of 5 1/2X5 1/2", 35 squares of - 3 1/2X3 1/2".  I fused them by zigzag stitch on the machine........

PILLOW CUSHIONS

Pillow cushions are easy to make....scrap fabrics or whole yard fabrics....neutral colors or pastel colors, you name it....these are the latest cushions I had made for our chairs out in our deck and zippered ruffled pillow cushions for inside use...........these zippered ruffled cushions can be washed.....see images below....

 

 

Fabrics on Sale............

Making pillow cushions are easy, you have to have an idea what kind of fabrics you would like to use for these cushions....I was at the Hancock Fabric Store yesterday as they have a "sale" on quilting fabrics, drapery and upholstery fabrics for 40 to 50% off....I had seen a lot of quilting materials or fabrics, bright colors, solid colors or batiks.....some were applique for the 4th of July.......here are some of the fabrics that I bought....

 

Garage Sales

That being said about garage sales, here are some of the few items that I purchased for minimal amount.....the English Style Bowl with cover and 2 Wooden Bowls

 

 

 

made in Hawaii....see images below....

"Yard or Garage Sales"

I am really enthused and excited when summer comes, I get the chance of looking for bargains.  The best days to look for bargains at a garage sale would be either Friday and Sunday....Saturday would be the day when a lot of people comes out, look for bargains at a yard sale.  I was driving along to purchase some fabrics when I came across a quiet and beautiful area just west of where I live....this area I believe were mostly family oriented ~  something caught my eyes when I was passing a yard full of beautiful furniture and some knick-knacks...I stopped and parked about 2 houses down under an old oak tree.....walked to check out what they have to sell for.......seen beautiful dining chairs, made of maple wood with synthetic cushion on it for $25 a set (4 chairs), if I am not mistaken perhaps made in the early 80's or late 70's...they're old style but for me this is classic that I can re-upholster and re-polish the color of the varnish....then I saw 2 end tables also made of maple wood for $5 a piece....thought this is a real bargain....then I moved towards the garage saw an antique English bowl with a cover....thought that this might have been bought way back in the 60's (remember these are retired couple selling their stuffs).  I asked the "wife" if they're moving out, she smiled at me and said, "we're trying to get rid of some of our old stuff as our son and daughter had moved out and had their own family...."  I said, "oh, can I look around?"  Then told her that I would like to take 2 corner tables, an old English bowl, and wooden bowls made in Hawaii...one of the corner table was made by Broyhill......some has scratches, but that can be easily polish and re-varnish.............see images below

 

My Mini Flower Garden, "Bed of Roses"

Gardening is my passion, I love to be outdoor in the summer time, I love to have a flower bed or garden and a vegetable garden.  I built my own mini garden in our backyard, which obviously you had seen some of the vegetables I planted.  Some were planted in containers the reason behind this was because I looked after the backyard last year, took out all the weeds, fertilized and conditioned the lawn and, I don't really want to ruin it.  My hard work paid off, the lawn in the backyard is as green as the front lawn...I wish I could make a bigger "garden bed".....these are my flowers I have been looking after since spring....

Red Roses

These are double impatient plants located in our deck.

Double white mini roses.