Cinnamon Raisin Bread and Inspiration...or is it the other way around?

                                    
 
"Deep quiet encircles, covering us in a soft blanket of endless peace and warmth, but underneath, something is stirring, inspiration is growing and soon it will shine it's light."              ~Lee Reynolds~

January is still very much with us, with it's endless cold days and drifts of snow covering our world. We are out almost daily. Work, school, after school activities, grocery shopping, all do not stop, even though my inner voice says to be quiet, still, restore myself, and listen from within. Yesterday, I heeded that call, and thankfully, it was Saturday and the day was completely ours.

There was food in the house, no birthday parties to attend, no Saturday skating lessons, no basketball practice, and my husband David was out of town on business, and not beckoning the kids to ski with him. Besides, a few of the kids have had an annoying cough that lingers and lingers. I had kept Will home from grade one on Thursday and Friday to see if he would recover faster. A day relaxing, doing whatever our heart desires was appealing. And so we all went with it.

After Harrison"s successful bread making session the previous week, and our children's quick consumption of said bread, I decided it was my turn to create some comfort food. I didn't want to make plain  'ole bread again though. I wanted something even more memorable. That is when my eyes found the cinnamon in the spice cupboard.

.      "The spirit of delight comes in small ways" 
                                                                                                            ~Robert Louis Stevenson~

Memories of  Christmas holidays past flooded through me as I recalled baking cinnamon buns with our oldest daughter Alyssa, who for the last 2 years has been in London on her grand adventure. Ever since she was a year old and still small enough to fit in my kitchen sink, we have been baking cinnamon buns together on Christmas eve. Watching her delightful smile as she bit into the first mouthful of bun, made the day long baking effort worthwhile. When I think of her, I think of books, cats and cinnamon.

My mom Ethel was a lover of cinnamon too. I can remember as a teenager,  mom taking plain old bread, spreading butter on top, sprinkling sugar and cinnamon and toasting the pieces in the oven until the house was rich with a spicy aroma. She would cut the bread in strips and I would dunk pieces of cinnamon toast into decadent hot cocoa. Those were the days we lived in a century old home in the Creston Valley. Some of my favourite childhood memories were from my days living in the Kootenays.

From experience, I know it's those simple things that create a memorable childhood. Something I desire to create for my children. And so, while we don't live in an historic house, just a 25 year old California rancher, that has been renovated to appear "old school" inside, we can make lasting memories.

                                  




 I know we can still create that feeling with food, music, candles lit at dinner time, and old fashion entertainment, like playing cards, telling stories, curled up in bed reading books and something my kids did all day yesterday afternoon as I baked....building with blocks.

If you want to join me in making 3 loaves of cinnamon raisin bread, scroll down, but before we start to bake I wanted to share a few exciting events that have come across my path in the last week.


                                                        Moments of Inspiration

While at the little girls "Strong Start," program last week, I was talking to the teacher and was asking her what she had planned for the upcoming Spring. One of the things she was excited about was a program called, "Hatch a Chick." With funding money, she has arranged for fertile eggs to be brought into the class where they will stay warm in a table top incubator. The eggs remain in the class for 21 days, until they hatch. Once the chicks have hatched, they are put into a brooder box with a heat lamp and they remain in the classroom for 5 days to allow the kids to observe them. At that time, the farm from where they originate, takes them back. I had heard about this program last fall and I have been hinting, STRONGLY, that this is something I wanted to do. (our local Teach and Learn store provides these kits)

Later that same day, I went in to pick up William from school and I started chatting with his grade one teacher. During the conversation I happened to ask if she knew about the, "Hatch a Chick" program and she became very excited and motioned me over to her laptop computer. On the screen was a sticky note that said, "order chicks." I had to laugh over the timing. It never fails to surprise me when the Universe presents an opportunity that will bring a dream of mine to fruition.
 


I went home and asked David if we could purchase the program for the grade one class (saving Will's teacher from having to ask for funding and maybe being turned down) AND if we could keep the chicks for our urban homestead once hatched. He was not thrilled. Sadly, he doesn't share the same urban homesteading dream that I do. Yes, he likes the idea of growing more of our own food, he likes helping our environment by using less water, less non-renewable energy resources, he likes us composted our garden and kitchen wastes and recycling materials. He likes when we really think about our needs from our wants and consume accordingly. But when it comes to living animals....he is a reluctant urban farmer. It's true the kids want pets but they aren't thrilled about cleaning kitty litters or feeding their animals.We don't have a dog but I'm sure it would be a fight to get them to walk one. When I assured him that I would be responsible for the chickens, he agreed. Sometimes your inspiration may effect other people and you have to figure out what they need to make it work for them.

So dear blog readers....I am excited to say, we are going to finally move a bit closer to becoming even more sustainable by having chickens in our urban backyard. FINALLY! Our subdivision is actually in a rural part of our larger city and the motto is, "rural living at it's best." I don't exactly know what that means. Bigger lots perhaps, more privacy maybe, but for me it's going to mean space to have some CHICKENS.

I will blog about it more of course as we are now talking about chicken coops and appropriate chicken runs, cool automatic watering systems and feeders. I have about 50 books on hold right now at our local library and I'm excited to plow through them all. I had no idea there were that many books even written about urban chicken keeping. The chicks are due to arrive around the end of April to the first of May...hopefully plenty of time to get a  home built for them.

 


Another moment of Inspiration

The other thing that came up last week, is a writing workshop that I read about in our local paper. Right away, I was intrigued and knew I had to attend. When I read the facilitator is from Hope, B.C. (where I was born) and her writing has been inspired from that locale, that clinched it for me. The current book I'm working on was inspired by my time living in HOPE. Literally and figuratively.

In addition, the premise for the workshop will assist me in getting down and finishing my novel. But you know in your gut when things are right and everything is lining up don't you? I felt little bubbles of joy bursting forth as I read the day of the workshop is on the day when the little girls schedule is free. For 4 year olds they are very busy. Swimming, skating, ballet, kindermusik and usually a morning at their Strong Start program as well.

Now all I needed to arrange was someone to care for them. I forwarded the workshop information to my husband and when he came home from work that night, he had not only booked off work so I could attend the workshop, but he had signed me as well.

Then there was a hiccup and I thought it wasn't going to work for a bit.  I received an email saying I was on the wait list. The promoters had apparently received more interest than they had planned so they finally decided to run a second session but the day I was interested in was totally booked up. I was sad but hopeful and finally, I received word that one participant had decided to move to the other day, freeing up room for me. I was JUBULIANT! Things work out when they are meant to be.

Then there was one more moment when I knew everything was perfect. Why I still need this sign I don't know but David and I had gone to Harrison's basketball game mid week. We had dropped him off early and we had a 1/2 hour to kill before the game. I suggested we drive over to a local coffee place and pick up a coffee for him and a latte for me. Now, this may not be a big deal for most people but we don't treat ourselves normally. I was thinking how we could better spend the money. It all adds up. I was thinking about the deposit I had put on the chicken program, on my writing workshop and frankly I was concerned about money.

With these thoughts swirling in my brain, David and I returned to the high school gym and looked for a place to sit on the bleachers. The first section was already full when we arrived, so I motioned where we could go with my latte cup in hand. We climbed to the top of the bleachers so I could sit against the hanging gym mats and that is when I noticed something silver and shiny, sparkling behind my seat. It was a dime. Of course!

For those of you who don't know me or who haven't read my blog,  I  have to tell you that when I was de-cluttering and on my minimalism path last spring, I was finding dimes, EVERYWHERE. I took them a sign from my angels that we were moving in the right direction and money was always flowing into our lives. When I picked up this dime and showed it to David he just smiled. The next day David found out that he would have to go out of town for work on the weekend and of course, that would mean extra money coming into our home. Again, I am never surprised by how the Universe is ALWAYS working for the greater good, sending me inspiration and signs along the way that I am on the right path.

Everything that's created comes out of silence. Your thoughts emerge from the nothingness of silence. Your words come out of this void. Your very essence emerged from emptiness. All creativity requires some stillness.

                                                                                                               ~Dr. Wayne Dyer~

 

Interestingly enough, I have been reading a book that my sister C had recommended last year. It finally came available from our local library and again, I couldn't be more surprised over the timing. The book is called, "Big Magic," and is written by Elizabeth Gilbert, who you may remember is the author of  the popular best selling book, "Eat, Pray, Love."

                          
 



I loved that book. Recently, listening to CBC, I heard that some people thought it was too "navel gazing" which I thought was interesting. Maybe I'm not such an intellectual reader, as I thought it was uplifting and a sweet story.It made me want to cook authentic Italian food, and  learn to speak the language, it made me want to meditate for long stretches and practice my yoga, it made me want to appreciate the love of my life a little bit more because, unlike Elizabeth who had to travel to Bali to find her love, mine has been walking closely beside me for most of my life. Sometimes we have to look into another person's life to see what is in our own backyard.


Anyway, like "Eat, Pray, Love," I am enjoying, "Big Magic".....creative living beyond fear." What is most timely about this book is that I'm currently reading it while  living in the deep peace of winter, quiet and calm, but open to any and all opportunities the Universe is sending my way. Inspiration is always at my doorstep. Always knocking, asking, do you want this, experience that, adventure there? It's up to me to be grateful for these opportunities and remember to always be thankful. To graciously say, "No, that isn't for me," or "yes, yes, YES, I wish to do or have that."

I believe we are souls first, living an earthly experience. We have free will to make choices but if we stay connected to our soul, and shut out our ego, we are able to tap into the most creative part of ourselves while following life's inspirations. We can be our best selves and live our greatest life.It's all up to us.

                             Living IN SPIRIT is the true magic. 

And now, it's time to bake. Years ago, we had a bread maker which I thought was the cat's meow....does that expression date me? It was great when we had a family of 4 but now that we have a family double that size and more, one tiny loaf of bread doesn't go far. I gave our bread maker away years ago, as it was just sitting in my cupboard. I have learned to make homemade pizzas, homemade dinner buns,  and over the years I would occasionally bake some bread, but I never found the perfect recipe, UNTIL recently. I have now moved into the realm of baking bread ever since Harrison made it last week for our family. Those four loaves of bread went faster than Will sledding down our driveway. .See my post called, "Sledding Soup and Homemade bread." for the recipe.

Yesterday, I made something that I know will become a family favourite. I found the recipe on Foods.com website. When it was called the best Cinnamon Raisin Bread and received 5 stars, I thought that is exactly what I have been looking for. I was not disappointed........here's the link, "World's Best Cinnamon Raisin Bread."


 
I've written out the recipe on my blog with pictures so you can easily follow along....if you haven't baked bread yet and want to make something that will surely be a winter comfort food, I hope you try this recipe....BE INSPIRED!

Cinnamon Raisin Bread

Ingredients Nutrition

Servings 36 Yield 3 loaves Units US

• 1 ¹⁄₂ cups milk
• 1 cup warm water (must be between 110-115 degrees)
• 2 (1/4 ounce) packages active dry yeast
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 3 eggs
• ¹⁄₂ cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¹⁄₂ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup raisins
• 8 cups all purpose flour...I used 6 cups of white to 2 cups of whole wheat)
  
• 2 tablespoons  milk
• 1 cup white sugar
• 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon 
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted (approx.)

Directions

1. Warm the milk in a small sauce pan on the stove until it just starts to bubble, stirring occasionally.
2. Remove from heat.
3. Let cool until lukewarm, about 120-125 degrees.

 4. Dissolve the yeast in warm water with 1 tbsp of sugar.....yeast doesn't activate without sugar) and set aside in a warm place until the yeast is frothy, about 10 minutes.

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   5. Then mix in eggs, sugar, butter, salt, raisins, and add the cooled milk slowly so you don't cook the eggs. 
   
   
   6. Add the flour gradually to make a stiff dough.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   7. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface, until the dough is smooth...a bit glossy
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   8. Place in a LARGE, buttered mixing bowl and turn it to grease the surface of all sides of the dough.
   
   
   
   9. Cover with a damp dish cloth and let rise in a place without drafts. I allow mine to rise on the counter next to our stove...under our upper cabinet lighting....they give off a warm glow....allow to rise for 11/2 hours until the dough doubles 
   
   
   10. Once it has risen.....roll out on a lightly floured surface. Roll into a large rectangle, 1/2 inch thick.
   
   11. Moisten the dough with 2 tbsp of milk and rub all over the dough with your hands.
   
   
   
   12. Mix 1 cup of sugar and 3 tbsp of cinnamon and sprinkle mixture evenly over the top of the moistened dough.
   
   13. Roll up tightly,...the long way.
   
   
   
   
   
   14. The roll should be about 3 inches in diameter.
   
   15. Cut into thirds, and tuck ends under and pinch bottom together tightly.
   
   
   
   
   
   16. Place the 3 loaves into well greased pans...9x5 size and lightly grease tops of the loaves.....you can use Crisco or butter to grease the pans and grease the tops
   
   
   
   
   
   17. Let rise in a warm place, uncovered, again for about an hour (This recipe can make 4 loaves as well....I just baked another batch and rolled it out a bit longer and cut the dough into 4 sections....it made 4 nice size loaves...great.....as it gets eaten REALLY fast)
   
   18. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes (the original recipe called for a 45 time but my new oven is efficient and did the bread perfectly in 30 mins....WATCH CLOSELY...if I had waited for 45 minutes my bread would have been really dry) or until loaves are lightly browned and sound hollow when tapped.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   19. Remove from oven and let cool on a rack
   
   20. Melt butter and spread on the tops of the loaves with a brush.
   
   21. After about 20 minutes, lay the loaves on their sides and remove from pans.
   
   22. Allow to cool completely before slicing....one loaf was almost gone by the time I remembered to take a picture for my blog.....these loaves go fast! and 22 steps is WORTH IT!
   
   
   
   My older son said this bread reminded him of our cinnamon buns.....so I think we found a winner. As I write this, we are down to our last loaf....and the kids are looking forward to having cinnamon raisin toast for breakfast tomorrow morning. Wish you were here for breakfast!
   
   Want future inspiration? Over Christmas I stumbled across a cool couple who are living with their family of 5 off grid. Recently, the homestead wife, Esther, made bread and you can watch her on their Youtube channel. Their site is called, "Fouch-o-matic Off Grid." I'd love to introduce you to this lovely couple who make me happy and inspired whenever I watch one of their videos. Check them out and help support them by subscribing to their channel.
   
   If you can't see their Youtube video below, click on this hyper-link.....
   
    The Homestead Wife makes bread
   
   
   
   
    Until we meet again, may you be well, happy and peaceful.
   
   Blessings from Hope