Holiday Dinner

We may have not been raised to attend religious services often or at all in my youth, but this never stopped my Mother from making a terrific holiday dinner. Dad brought home ta Ham or Turkey for the day’s celebration from the market in which he worked. Luckily he got the day off to celebrate.

Time off of work was hard to come by in his profession, the last thing he wanted to do was to spend the morning on a church pew. He would much rather be catching up on chores around the house and getting his collection of fishing gear ready for the upcoming season.

Meanwhile my Mother was busy preparing the families favorites. She usually began a few days ahead. What I remember most wasn’t the baked ham along with all of the fixings but what she called “Bunny Bread”. Rarely have I seen her open her copy of Fanny Farmers’ cookbook to double check measurements and directions, somehow she just knew.

Today I find myself recalling these orange scented yeast breads, and have tried a few times to make them for my crew. Never with quite the same results. Perhaps I’m just a bit too nostalgic for high altitude baking. In any case, I have found a recipe that’s pretty close I thought I would share below.

Time to get myself to the market, cut the flowers, set the table and get in the kitchen. Funny, how our fondest memories are focused around sharing time with family, friends and the smells from the kitchen.

Happy Easter.

DOUGH

  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter or margarine
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 4-3/4 to 5-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 envelope Fleischmann's® RapidRise Yeast
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons freshly grated lemon peel
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated orange peel
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/2 teaspoon Spice Islands® Pure Vanilla Extract

GLAZE

  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice

Combine 3 cups flour, sugar, undissolved yeast, salt, lemon peel and orange peel in large mixer bowl.  Heat butter and milk until very warm (120° to 130°F). Gradually stir into flour mixture. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Add eggs, vanilla and enough remaining flour to make soft dough. On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough until smooth and elastic, about 6 to 8 minutes. Cover; let rise on floured surface for 10 minutes.

 Then form rolls in a simple twist. Cover; let rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.

 Bake bread in a 350° F oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until surface of the bread is golden brown.

To make Glaze, combine all ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat.  Bring mixture to a boil, maintaining a full boil for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let cool until thickened. Spoon glaze generously over bread.

Sundays

I begin planning the perfect Sunday probably the week prior on Thursday night. During the week, I have gathered and made mental lists of everything I would like to accomplish. Yes, the list is long, but my New Year Resolution was not to get stressed out about finishing the laundry, cooking the perfect meal, baking enough fresh bread even grinding my own coffee. Cleaning the cupboards and polishing the silver.

 Winter in full swing, I love the sound of the radiators starting up. Clank, clank & hiss

 Winter in full swing, I love the sound of the radiators starting up. Clank, clank & hiss

Sunday organisation is key

Sunday organisation is key

Opening my eyes on a Sunday morning, legs heavy from a good night’s rest and the light from the window keep reminding me to get up with the sun. 

Oh, but it’s nice to wake on a Winters Morn, but it’s nicer to stay in bed. Designers find the best linens. 

Oh, but it’s nice to wake on a Winters Morn, but it’s nicer to stay in bed. Designers find the best linens

Comfort begins with a touch of Velvet. Velvet by Cowtan and Tout

Comfort begins with a touch of Velvet. Velvet by Cowtan and Tout

So, I rise as I do every Sunday. 

There are never enough throws and blankets lately. 

There are never enough throws and blankets lately

7:00 AM: Walk Summer (while I’m simultaneously achieving my morning caffeine intake at Starbucks. Summer meets with his friends and I mine—that quad skim latte, no foam.)

9:00 AM: Clean nearly every surface in the house. *Note to self, use vacuum near Miss H’s room if not yet awake.

The finest manufacturer of textiles. Making the house a home via Holland and Sherry.

The finest manufacturer of textiles. Making the house a home via Holland and Sherry.

11:00 AM: Take a rest. Watch Ina Garten make Jeffery the best brownies known to man. Consequently, make the best brownies known to man for myself later this afternoon. 

12:00 PM: After going to the market and putting brownies in the oven, take a quick nap

Laura Stoddart Pantry

Laura Stoddart Pantry

Exhausted cake stand By Bespoke Global

Exhausted cake stand By Bespoke Global

4:00 PM: Am currently in a food comatose state due do chocolate indulgence. 

6:00 PM: Think about dinner and watch the news.

Comfort in White

Comfort in White

Nothing better than A collection of Hotel Silver. Planning dinner

Nothing better than A collection of Hotel Silver. Planning dinner

Perhaps a good book or a quick game, Comfort all around

Perhaps a good book or a quick game, Comfort all around

8:00 PM: Check Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook, Instagram to see what I have missed during my day off.

Winding down

Winding down

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Historic Influences. Details

 

Every Sunday, I participate in this self-made ritual and take a great deal of time enjoying the moment spent at home. It somehow recharges me for the hectic week ahead of unknown surprises and the expected appointments. 

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Like I do every weekend, take time to enjoy Sunday for yourself. You’ll be amazed at all of little adventures you’ll discover, both domestic and outdoor.