quiet house
clean kitchen
sunshine
golden orange sweet potatoes
creamy butter
sweet honey
wholesome whole wheat
cobalt fiesta
happy makin’ bread
beauty in a kitchen towel
beauty in an apron
beauty in a sister’s love (she painted my toes bubble gum pink)
sitting in a sunbeam
the feel of soft dough
dry flour
rings are getting dirty
marigold fiesta
rising dough in a warm spot
glistening with oil on top
anticipation
sage green lace
time to wait
twin loaves
another wait, as they rise
the washer and dryer humming in the background
lunch with Grace
golden brown bread
the smell. . . . .mmmmmmm. . . . .
steamy hot
basting with melted sweet butter
watching it soak into the crusty tops
bending over to enjoy another smell
(to enjoy: the theme, the desire of this post)
a small fiesta bowl filled with soft cream cheese spread
licking my fingers
finally, the finished product
the hours flew by, and yet they linger here in the photos
vintage rose fiesta
time to take a bite,
and share a piece with my husband
Sweet Potato Yeast Bread
2 packages active dry yeast
1 3/4 cups warm water
1 cup mashed sweet potatoes (without added milk or butter)
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup honey
1 egg
2 teaspoons salt
3 cups whole wheat flour
3 1/4 – 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add sweet potatoes, 1/2 cup butter, honey, egg, salt and whole wheat flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough all-purpose flour to form a soft dough.
Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6 – 8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Shape into loaves. Place in two greased loaf pans. Cover; let rise until doubled, about 25 minutes. Bake at 375 for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown (cover loosely with foil if top browns too quickly). Remove from pans to wire racks. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter; brush over warm bread. Cool.
Cream Cheese Nut Spread
1 cup butter, softened
1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts, toasted
In a small mixing bowl, beat butter and cream cheese until fluffy. Stir in walnuts. Serve with bread.
Yield: 2 loaves
Enjoy what you do today, even if it’s something as simple as baking in the kitchen. The time and effort of bringing beauty and pleasure into your everyday life is good for the soul.
Good to be Home 
What a wonderful post Ms Shanda. I enjoyed all of the little lovely things your shared 🙂
I love love this cute post. It is just the way I like them, fill with your thoughts and a yummy recipe. “Hugs”
Kelly
Ditto. And now my tummy is growling! 🙂
Oh! I’ll bet that is good! It sure looks good! I can just imagine how wonderful your house smelled while it was baking!
I can hardly wait to make the bread!! thank you for sharing.
Yummy! You’ve made me hungry! That’s a big bottle of honey — do you use it often in your baking?
Dang…we’re on a low-carb diet right now…I’ll have to settle for living vicariously through you for the moment! 🙂 Much love, friend!
Looks so good, Shanda! This is such a satisfying post- satisfying to the soul. Love ya!
sounds so comforting, warm and peaceful!
If only you could post the smell ~ mmmmm ~
Oh, yum! How close is Maine to Connecticut? I guess it’s too far to drive there for a slice.
Happy Sunday.
Yum! I want to make that! Thanks for the recipe!
So, if I came to your house, could I nap on the sofa while you whip up all these glorious feasts and call me to the table when they are ready to be eaten???? Kinda like the memories I have of visiting Grandma. Grandma: Oh no, honey. I don’t need any help. Just sit down and relax.Me: (obediently) Okay, Grandma.LOL!!!
Thanks for taking us there with your words and pictures…yum!
Sounds like a wonderful day!! I love your new header!
Oh, slurp! This is a yummy, beautiful post! My Hubby made Sweet Potato Biscuits and they were melt in your mouth delicious. Maybe I should make your bread and see which one we like better! I bet it would taste great if I had an adorable apron on! And painted toenails. SO cute, you are!
mmmm….there’s just something about the smell of bread baking that makes a home so cozy, inviting, and secure feeling! Would love to sit and have a piece with you….blessings~
Though I’m not a fan of sweet potato bread, I really enjoyed the imagery in this post. 🙂 Miss you Shan…hope you’re doing well. Love, Trish
Oh, the smell of homemade bread!! I’m sure the bread won’t last long.
How did I miss this beautiful post? Just lovely. mmmmm.
PS I wrote about homeschooling on my blog – specifically the Charlotte Mason approach – ever heard of it, familar with it?? Any suggestions? 🙂
Yum Yum Yum!
I may have to try this…and cheat a little. I let my breadmaker do the work and then put it in the oven! Sounds yummy!
I am giggling over the nail polish b/c I remember doing my toes when I was in my third trimester. It made me so happy.
I wonder how many sweet potatoes it would take to make a cup.
Thanks for sharing this recipe, Shanda. It sounds so yummy, and fairly healthy at the same time! (A great combo!) I am planning to try it today or tomorrow. My family is fasting sweets this month, but I don’t think this would count as a sweet. Have a wonderful week!
mmmmmmm,ok now i’m hungry!
this looks yummy 🙂 I can almost smell it from here ~ blessing to you on this Monday and may the Lord fill your home with His presence and peace :)lys
loved reading your creative post this morning. I can almost taste the bread and the yummy looking spread as i admire the pics. Hope you are feeling well with your pregnancy and wishing the time flies by fast till delivery, then if your like me, the time after baby could just stand still for a while. Have a great week, Rachel
by the end of your post I felt like I could almost taste the yummyness! Now you’ve made me hungry, I’m going to have to try to find something of equal value to all that 😉
The bread sounds so good!
Sorry G was sick missed seeing you at Church!
PS your toes look Fab. ~A
*cough,cough* I’ll not bake today, though I enjoy your photos immensly. Really great post, dear!
I’ll “enjoy” my next book, CS Lewis, I think, and some crochet with some tea.
Love!
Yummy! I’m going to try your Beef noodle recipe you sent me in the mail awhile ago! I can’t wait! Love, Lish
I just sat here reading this, listening to music, enjoying every picture, and my spirit is saying…”Ahhh…” What a peaceful post and it made me hungry!!!! How are you? I have been rather out of commission as of late so I haven’t been able to keep up on my blog friends. How is baby? In the picture with you sitting it looks so beautiful! I love it! I pray you are doing well!
Oh man I bet that tasted so so good!