Italian Herb Bread (No special equipment needed!)

I recently rediscovered this recipe for Italian Herb Bread in one of my Gooseberry Patch Cookbooks. (Homemade Harvest, Gooseberry Patch)

It is a wonderfully quick and easy recipe, it uses all pantry ingredients and it makes two loaves. Also, you do not need a mixer or a bread maker to prepare this bread--just a bowl, a spoon and and oven (plus 2 loaf pans!) Have I sold you yet?

Try this out next time you are making Italian for dinner! It also makes a great accompaniment to Beef Stew, Vegetable or Tomato Soup or a Big Salad!

Italian Herb Bread makes 2 loaves
1 envelope Active Dry Yeast (Not instant)
1 3/4 Cup Warm Water (110-115 degrees)
4 Cups All Purpose Flour
3 Tbs. Sugar
1 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Garlic Salt
1/2 tsp. EACH of Dried Oregano, Dried Basil and Dried Parsley
Garnish: 2-3 tbs. Melted Butter

Directions:
Add yeast to warm water in a large bowl. Stir to dissolve and wait 5 minutes. Blend in all remaining ingredients, (except butter) and stir until smooth. Cover with a thin towel and set aide to rise or double in bulk, (about an hour and a half.) Punch Down and turn dough out into lightly floured counter or board. Knead until smooth and large bubbles have disappeared. (Don't fret too much about this step. Just fold your bread over and press down and then fold it over the other way, trying to get out large bubbles of air. It will still be airy and fluffy, this is a good thing.)
Divide Dough into 2 loaves and place in 2 lightly greased 9x5 loaf pans. Cover and Let rise again with Towel until double (about another hour)
Bake at 350' for 35-40 minutes. Remove from pans and brushed tops with melted butter. Allow to cool slightly before slicing your husband a piece so he can see how awesome you are.. don't tell him how easy it was.

** I do both my rises in the microwave, (off of course.) it guards against drafts and doesn't take up room on my counter!

Happy Baking!

Happy Fall Ya'll!

  We have been enjoying some Fall-ish days here in Georgia and I have been taking full advantage. Some of the leaves in our backyard are beginning to change and I could sit at my kitchen table and just watch the season change all day!
    I did finally do a little decorating for the season-- so here's a shot of our Fireplace:

The "Give Thanks" banner I found at TJ Maxx 2 years ago and I love it!

I bought a yard and a half of burlap from Hobby Lobby and I know I will use it in Christmas Decor too. I am loving burlap right now-- (I know everyone and their mother is too, if Pinterest is any indication!) 

Speaking of Pinterest, Lucy and I did this Fall craft idea because I wanted to include a canvas art project of hers as part of our decor. She loves to decorate as much as I do!

Also, from Pinterest, I got the idea to stick chip board letters in a pumpkin with straight pins and it worked like a charm! Below you see the finished project-- I tied a little ribbon to the top because it looked a little empty-- but now that I know it really works, I will build on the idea next year! We also did a traditional Orange Pumpkin for our front porch with painted polka dots and our name-- I'll have to snap a photo of that as well! I did learn that bigger letters are better, as mine were a bit small-- but I was working with a one hour "Mommy Break" while Lance was watching the girls, so I made do. :)

Such an important reminder. I have loved seeing this throughout the day and "checking myself."

A few Fall Firsts: Lucy got her first ever haircut!!!!! She did great. Also Abby attended her first ever Dodge County Indians Football Game (Her Daddy's High School Alma Mater!) She loved the Marching Band the best--as does Lucy.

                                                       
I hope you are enjoying your Fall as much as we are! I have big plans to share a few more things soon-- next on the list: a Recipe for a quick and easy (Homemade) Herb Bread! You don't even need a mixer to make it! Woohoo!