Happy Thanksgiving week!

 Being a lover of food, Thanksgiving is probably one of my very favorite holidays--and besides that, there is no pressure or expectations beyond the food.  It's a nice, relax and enjoy the day kind of holiday.  We gather usually at my sister's house and everyone pitches in so that it is not too big of a burden on her.  It's just great food and laughing and sharing. 

One of my favorite food features is always bread.  Bread is so comforting.  I shared in a recent blog post that my mom, sisters and I, my daughter and future daugter in law, and a girl that feels just like a family member were getting together to make bread. Here are a couple photos of the girls.
 
 
 
They were making a batch of shamrock rolls here with a portion of the bread dough.

The day was so fun and one of the bread recipes that we made was my sisters Cracked Wheat Bread.  She usually makes this for Thanksgiving and forms it into rolls.  I want to share it with you, because it's the season for sharing.  Try it and I bet that you will love it!

Just a note on the Cracked Wheat ingredient in case you are not familiar with it.  Cracked wheat is a wheat product made from whole raw wheat kernels which are crushed or cut into smaller pieces.  I buy my cracked wheat at a food co-op or natural foods store.  Most grocery stores carry a similar product, which you can also use called Bulgur. 

Bulgur wheat, is also made by cracking wheat kernels. Bulgur, however, is made from wheat kernels which are steamed and toasted before cracking, so that they develop a rich, nutty flavor. Bulgur also requires minimal cooking, since it is already partially cooked. Cracked wheat, on the other hand, uses whole raw wheat berries. 

"Cheri's Cracked Wheat Bread"

Makes:
2 Loafs or 1 loaf and 18-20 rolls (form into golf ball size)

Ingredients:
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 Tbsp. butter
1 tsp. salt
1 cup Cracked Wheat or Bulgur

2 Tbsp. yeast
1/4 cup warm water
Flour

Method:
1. In bowl soak cracked wheat or Bulgur in 3 cups of very hot water for 10-15 minutes.
2. In a large bowl combine first 3 ingredients with 2 cups boiling water.  Allow butter to melt, drain water from cracked wheat and add to mixture, allowing it to cool to lukewarm.

3. Soak yeast in 1/4 cup of water. Once above mixture has cooled to lukewarm, combine the two mixtures and work in flour with a spoon one cup at a time until it becomes difficult to stir.  Add dough to a floured surface, adding additional flour as needed to form a soft dough which you will knead for about 8 minutes.

4. Place in greased bowl, let rise until double in size(about 1 hour.) 
5. Punch down dough in the middle and shape into loafs or rolls.  Place in greased pans and allow to raise once more. 

6. Bake at 375 degrees for 30-40 minutes until golden brown.  Brush tops with butter. Follow the same steps for making dinner rolls.
 
Mmmmmm.......I want some right now!  Forming the dough into dinner rolls and eating them that way is wonderful, but the bread is so moist and perfect plus it's great for toasting too.
 

I neglected to share a couple of my November Glue Arts projects, so I want to do that now.  Here is a little "Woodland Snow house".  We were given lots of May Arts ribbon to work with and once I saw the faux suede leaf trim that reminded me of moss, I knew what I wanted to do with it.


You can find this little paper mache house at most craft stores and the roof lifts off, so it would be great to use as a gift wrap.  The paper is from the "Jovial" Christmas collection by BasicGrey.  All of the trims are from May Arts and the adhesive used for the roof leaves was Glue Arts Perma Tac.  You can find complete a complete supply list and directions at the Glue Arts Blog here.

 

AnotherGlue Arts project was using Crate paper's "Restoration" collection along with the wonderful adhesives from Glue Arts.  This collection is amazing!  I love the colors and it inspired me to make another Art Journal using old family photos.  Remember to click on the photos for a more close up look!

 
 
This project uses lots of GlueArts Adhesives, including Perma Tac, Ribbon Adhesive, 3D Foam blanks, and Adhesive Squares for popping up elements on the pages.  I also used several AccuCut dies to make extra pages, flower embellishments and pockets.
 
 
 

 You can find the supply list and instructions at the Glue Arts Blog here.  Check out all of the Crate Paper projects that the Glue Girls made on the blog because they are awesome.  You'll find lots of inspiration using this paper collection.

 
Last thing for this post-- I'm sure that you're wondering who won my last giveaway mentioned in the previous post.  Congratulations to Char who commented on November 15 @ 6:12 pm.  Char, please email me with your mailing address.  Thanks to everyone who participated!  Next time I will have another holiday giveaway. 

It's time for me to get back to work.  I have to start thinking about decorating for Christmas too.  Isn't that always such a big job?  Maybe after Thanksgiving I will get serious about it and get something done.

I hope that all of you have a very blessed and happy Thanksgiving day!
Linda

Comments

[Karey]

I saw your houses on allyscraps blog. OH girl!!!!!!!!!!!!! Would I love to have one or two or three. That is top on my Christmas list.

[Jessica Yost]

Did you make the aprons that the girls are wearing?

[Jennifer Stewart]

Linda,
You inspire me SO much. Absolutely gorgeous!!

[Traci Armbrust]

Linda I would love to put the album on the AccuCut blog and facebook. Could you please e-mail me if that would be ok traci.armbrust@accucut.com

Thanks it's beautiful!

Sincerely, Traci

[Mariabpj]

Ohhhh!! beautiful album!

Regards from spain

[Kelly Massman]

Oh I love bread, too! And, your projects are so beautiful! I love the house!

[Melissa Phillips]

Everything you touch is magical and filled with love Linda...I adore your sweet projects, but your bread has me in a trance...it looks so delicious. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Melis

[Char4355]

I am always so in awe of everything that you create! Your style is something that attracts my inner artist, but I don't try. You have inspired me to be more creative...not just the cards that I make but bringing out more creativity!
And I am beyond excited to win that snowman...It reduced me to tears of excitment!!!!! Thank you so so much Linda~~~!!! Happy Thanksgiving :-)EEK!!!!!

[Beth Perry]

eek! gorgeous projects!! loving that mini, especially!