Bread and Buttons

{Bread}

I had a gloriously glorious morning of homemaking!  Who knew baking bread and doing the dishes could be so much fun?  (Well--the dishes were tolerable, anyway.)  I've never actually made bread before, but, I'm kitchen-challenged!  So go easy on me.  This is an old favorite recipe of my mom's, and it is so simple that even...well...even I can do it!  It tastes wonderful, too.

ENGLISH MUFFIN BREAD

2 1/2 to 3 cups all-purpose flour

1 package active dry yeast

1 tablespoon sugar

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cup water

Cornmeal

In large mixer bowl combine 1 cup of the flour 

and the yeast.  In a saucepan, heat water, sugar, and 

salt till it is warm (110 - 115 degrees), stirring to dissolve 

sugar.  Add to dry mixture in bowl.  Beat at low speed 

with an electric mixer for 30 seconds, then beat for 3 

minutes at high speed.  Then stir by hand, mixing in 

enough of the remaining flour to make a soft dough.  

Shape into a ball.

Place in a lightly greased bowl; turn once to grease 

surface.  Cover; let rise until double (about 1 hour).  

Punch down.  Cover; let rest 10 minutes.  Grease a 1-quart  

casserole or bread pan (depending on the shape you want, 

of course,) and sprinkle the pan with cornmeal.  Place 

dough in the pan; sprinkle top with cornmeal.  Cover and 

let rise until double (30 to 45 minutes). 

Bake at 400 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes.  Cover 

loosely with foil if top browns too quickly.  Remove from 

dish; cool.  Makes 1 loaf.

{Buttons}

Today I made use of some charming little vintage buttons from my button stash; these items will soon be found at the shop!  I think the buttons add that perfect little touch...

{And just a little note:}

I am hoping to have a GIVEAWAY sometime in the very near future!  Maybe next week?  I haven't figured out the details yet.  But be sure to follow the blog so that you don't miss out!