Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Winter bliss

During cold weather one is inclined to seek indoor comfort...
All what comes to my mind these days is a fire blazing in the hearth, down comforters for snuggling, and of course... a kitchen warm with the aroma of baking bread!
Have you ever felt on a wintry day, when the world is white under fluffy like cotton candy flakes dancing in the air, that there is a small magical window where you can look out and be transported to another place... another world maybe? Ah yes, I can see myself as the Lily in the movie “Legend”, right there in that cottage deep in the woods... someone is baking, and there is a table filled with all sorts of goods... Can you tell I’m floating in my very own bubble this morning? But who wouldn’t? Winter has its way with spells, you know!
The soft music of the American Indian flute (by Carlos Nakai), a few candles to cast early morning gloominess and a new bread recipe is all I need for a great adventure right here in my very own house... So you see, my recipe for magic, is simple! You get into the kitchen and whip up this super-fast, super-easy APPLE RAISIN BREAD RECIPE...

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch loaf pan. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, and oats. Add apple, nuts, raisins, eggs, milk, and oil. Mix until dry ingredients are moistened. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until done. Cool on wire rack.

Of course, this supper yummy bread would have to be accompanied by coffee!

I love coffee... do you love coffee too?

You then sit at your table, by the window facing the garden; bread and coffee in front of you...

...and you’ll have yourself a little bit of bliss.

Actually a whole lot of bliss!

What do you love best when the season's air breathes cold?

PS: The house in the roses along with readers and friends of this blog will be showing off our Christmas tree on our next Show Off Your Cottage Monday, and we’re inviting you to participate! All you have to do is send me a favorite photograph of your Christmas tree and we will add it to our collection. It is not necessary to talk about your Christmas tree or show photographs of it on your post, as many of you had already done that. I will be doing that for you! So if you prefer to talk about something else or share something different from our theme that would be OK. You will be still welcome to link and participate in our weekly “Show Off Your Cottage Monday” just as you’ve been doing every Monday! We only have a week to do this, so if you are planning on participating please send me your photograph as soon as you can! email: Cielosky47@yahoo.com

19 comments:

  1. oh, my goodness! so excited to see your three footed teacup! I collect those & can really appreciate when i see one! ;)
    xoox
    ~tracie

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  2. Yummy! The bread sounds delicious. Thanks so much for sharing your recipe :D I will definitely try it over Christmas break. Your posts are always so beautiful, Cielo! I am glad you are enjoying your morning.

    Blessings!
    Ricki Jill

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  3. Dearest Cielo,

    Oh how I love to cup my hands around anything HOT during these days. Be it coffee, cacao or tea...
    Loved your blog and thanks for this great recipe!
    Enjoy your cozy winter time in the warmth of your NEST,

    Mariette's Back to Basics

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  4. CIELO EL PAN SE VE RIQUISSIMO GRACIAS POR COMPARTIR LA RECETA QUISIERA PROBARLO CON EL CAFFEE AMIGITA HERMANA PUEDES USAR MIS ARREGLOS TODO LO QUE GUSTES ES PARA TU USO ME GUSTA COMPARTIR LAS BOLITAS NAVIDENAS SON TAN SENCILLAS Y TAN LLENAS DE ELEGANCIA ..QUE NUESTRO SALVADOR TE REGALE UN HERMOZO DIA...HABRAZOS Y BENDICIONES.....SANDRA

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  5. The cakes looks delicious.
    Must try...
    I love coffee too.
    Here in Sweden it´s cold and a lot of snow, so I cherish the time by the open fireplace.
    hugs elsamarianne

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  6. I dearly love my coffee. Usually one cup in the morning. And then one in the afternoon if I'm not busy. I can almost smell that bread!
    Brenda

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  7. LOVELY :)
    Specially The Cups :)
    Hugs from The Roseman
    Håkan

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  8. Looks yummy I am off to bake cookies for a cookie swap tomorrow.
    very cold here but tosty warm with the wood stove going
    Cathy

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  9. Cielo, your post is so lovely, filled with inspiring thoughts. I love the candles you lit.
    Thank you so much for sharing your recipe. It looks so delicious.
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  10. Another wonderful tour of your warm and inviting kitchen...that bread sounds wonderful..it is one I will try. Looking forward to your Christmas tree party. Hugs-Diana

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  11. Very beautiful photos. Yes, I love coffee too. A large cup of hot, black, fragrant coffee brings you comfort in the cold. Enjoy your coffee and the delicious bread:)
    -Tiina

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  12. Hi Cielo - I just want to say "Feliz Navidad" my friend and thanks for all the inspiring touches you've given us this past year. I enjoyed your blog and all your romantic posts!

    -Marie

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  13. Hi Cielo,
    Your apple raisin bread looks yummy..I'm so bad, I would heat it up and add butter on top..LOL
    Coffee would be my first choice too.
    Your photo's are lovely and always inspiring.
    Merry Christmas to you and your family and my God bless you in the new year...
    hugs, Elizabeth

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  14. Querida Cielo, deseo para ti y familia una maravillosa y feliz navidad plena en Amor, Paz y Alegría y que Dios bendiga tu hogar ahora y siempre.

    Tu blog está cada día más hermoso!!!!
    Besos
    maria cecilia

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  15. Querida Cielo, pasa unas felices fiestas y una muy buena entrada de año, con todos los seres queridos,
    Besos

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  16. J'ai appris des choses interessantes grace a vous, et vous m'avez aide a resoudre un probleme, merci.

    - Daniel

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  17. Hi Cielo,

    Wow great time for dinner, is it your flower is still dry?

    Just like to share with you a beautiful quote...

    "You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life" - Albert Camus

    You can get more happiness quotes at http://www.quotelandia.com/category/Happiness

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