December and cold have come!!!!!!

To my friends Bob and Jo (the lucky dogs) you left for Florida just in time the cold has come!!!  We have had such a beautiful fall and early winter, gad it was 50' on Dec. 1st. hard to believe for Wisconsin!!!!

So with that I decided to make some quick breads over the weekend and a cut up turkey roasted in white wine.  I'm going to share the breads because they are so easy and tasty and I plan to make them for holiday gifts for the neighbors!!!

First is a family tradition Dutch Bran Bread, my Dad's family has been making this forever probably over 125 years.  It is firm, moist and heavy and especially delish with butter and cheddar cheese, or cheese spread or cream cheese, yes have to have health and lots of calories!!!

Dutch Bran Bread


pinch of salt
1/2 cup sugar
3 T. molasses
1 t. soda
2 1/2 cups bran  (not cereal)
1 cup white flour
1 cup buttermilk or sour milk

Mix all ingredients well.  Bake one hour at 350' in greased loaf pan.  Makes one large loaf.  Cool and wrap in plastic, I store in the refrigerator.  to heat in microwave only a few seconds.  Enjoy!!!!



My other favorite qquick bread dates back to the seventies when I was first married and learning to cook.  Someone came up with Beer Bread, now it is back and you can buy the mixes in stores and home parties for way too much money!!!  Like fashion cooking just keeps getting reinvented and rolls around again!!!

Beer Bread

1  12 oz. can of beer any kind will work, heavy dark beers give a more nutty flavor.
2 1/2 cups self rising flour  (this is important, regular flour will not work!!!)
2 T. sugar

Mix well and pour in greased loaf pan bake at 350 for 55 minutes.  Pour 1/4 cup melted butter over top and put back in oven for 10 minutes.  Reheat in toaster the next day if any is left!!!


Now you can add Italian herbs Tbls. or so or any other dried or fresh herbs to change the flavor.  My folks make this and dip in flavored olive oil for an appetizer.  You can do whatever you like but fun and easy to make and very good to chow on!!!  Happy Baking!!!


Am having another busy sewing week lots of alterations before the holiday season really gears up!!!  Tonight I'm working on a repurposed jacket for me.  It's a sweater that will have ruffles and yo yo buttons will show you the before and after soon.  Also finally found my lost patterns and make some cupcake pincushions, they are really cute!!!  More pics and info coming   Stay warm!!!