Saturday, March 21, 2020

Quiet Days

Already we are feeling spring in the air! Usually we have snow on the ground, and more in our weather forecasts, in the middle of March*. This week has been warmer and rainy.

Adam has been busy in the garden this week. He has cultivated a couple of beds and is getting ready to plant peas and beets.
  Before the springtime flowers are in full bloom I wanted to share some pictures of my African violets. At this point they aren't blooming quite so profusely as they were when I took these pictures back in January. I love how my African violets are most vibrant during the long winter months. They help cheer me through the dark winter days.
  Once spring arrives I will need to re-pot my violets. Two of my plants have grown new plants.
  During the winter months I tend to enjoy baking more than I do the rest of the year. When I was growing up my mom would often bake a recipe called "Cinnamon Flop Bread". I loved waking up to the smell of cinnamon on a Saturday
  Baking something delicious is a great way to make a dark rainy day feel cozy and comforting.
   The picture above shows what the "bread" should look like before baking. The cinnamon flop in the blue pan has been sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar, while the other has not. I did this so could see how to distribute the butter.

Cinnamon Flop Bread
1 cup sugar (I use brown)
2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 Tbsp. melted butter
1 cup milk

Mix and spread into two greased pans. I will often use one bread pan and a pie plate, but two bread pans would work too.
Dot with one stick of butter that has been cut into small pieces. Sprinkle with mixture of 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes
  Recently I sewed this dirndl for my daughter. She loves wearing this style of dress and was especially pleased with the pink ribbons! It is a very versatile outfit, lately she has been wearing the dirndl with a turtle neck or tee-top. Once the weather is warmer the dirndl will be worn with a white peasant blouse.
 The dirndl pattern I used was designed by my mom with a little help from myself. My mom makes a variety of European inspired dresses and sells them here.

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust."
Psalm 91:1-2 

*I wrote this post last week.

8 comments:

  1. I enjoyed seeing your African Violets and reading your post! The dirndl is so pretty! The cinnamon flop bread sounds good. It reminds me of something we used to make when I was growing up. What we did was more like biscuits, but similar ingredients.
    I really like the verse you included at the end of your post! Thank you for that. :)

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    1. Thank you! Your recipe sounds delicious too. Psalm 91 is one of my favorite Psalms. It is certainly a comfort in this season.

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  2. Oh Sarah, I always enjoy a good visit with you! This was such a lovely peek into your world. Your African violets are beautiful. I remember my mom having several violets on her kitchen windowsill back when I was little. They added real cheer to the kitchen.
    The cinnamon flop bread sounds delicious....what a perfect way to wake up on a Sunday morning.
    Aww and the dress you sewed for Jemimah is gorgeous...so sweet you make her the clothing she likes!
    Have a wonderful week ahead. Blessings!

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    1. Thank you, Kelly-Anne! : ) May you have a blessed week too!

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  3. How very lovely your violets are and your baking to! I've never heard of that kind of bread. I make a coffee cake and then put sliced apples with cinnamon on top. The pie dishes make it look so appealing!

    Love the dress...it's so nice that you are able to provide such lovely clothing for your daughter! Glad you have the blessing of your mother in this area.

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    1. Thank you, Jennifer! An apple coffee cake sounds like a wonderful combination of flavors. Yes, I am grateful for my mom. She taught my two sisters and I to sew. We are all happy to have this skill, as we now enjoy sewing for our children.

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  4. Everything looks so cozy, You are so blessed to be able to sew the way you do! Getting excited about planting our garden also. Trimmed the Rose bushes this evening with some help from my young grandson. And I also enjoyed seeing the house plants blooming. Hugs, Roxy

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