June 22, 2010

TWD- Cinnamon Chip Swirled Bread

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I've been nesting. Well, not really nesting, because I'm not pregnant, but lately I've been going through every nook and crazy in our house, trying to make it more organized. It all started (this round, I had it bad at the end of my pregnancy with Baby Strawberry, too, but I wouldn't admit I was nesting and just said I was working my tail off, wouldn't some one get me a cold drink and a pedicure already?) when I tripped on another toy and though, "There has to be a better way! Or I'm throwing away every toy in this house!" Of course I want the toys out to be accessible and played with, the kids to be clean and happy and napped, the food hot and ready when my husband gets home. Ahem. I also want the toys put away (after they are played with!) So I've been hunting for perfect toy storage which leads to me perpetually trying to rearrange our couch- to accommodate a play area and simultaneously hide the toys! We have a huge and comfy sectional sofa and I love it. But I just can't escape the feeling that there is a better way to fit it all in- especially since I've been stalking Craigslist and Good Will and brought home and refinished a few pieces of furniture that my husband wasn't sure we needed! Well after we moved around the couch (and moved it right back where it was) I decided to tackle the garage. Somehow, the toys, copious baking dishes, camping gear, and painting supplies aren't cooperating and are overrunning my poor little garage. It's doing better now but I think I spent a little too much time baking my brain in the heat and and not enough time in my hot kitchen. I have the wrong Tuesdays with Dorie recipe again, this week. In other news, I have already made next weeks recipe. So we're good to go on that. And I found some pans in the garage that I am looking forward to using. I'm also excited to review something from CSN Stores again- last time I got a stellar pan and this time I'm debating between getting a rice cooker or (don't laugh) sometime to store the toys. That's versatility there. Do you have a rice cooker, love it, hate it, store it in the far corner of the garage and forget about it? I burn/undercook the rice embarrassingly often and since it's one of my Tall Man's favorite carbs, I need to do something about that already.

We did love this swirled bread. It was so yummy. I made a regular loaf and a mini, one traditional and one with cinnamon chips (pictured above). It came together in a hurry (made and baked before Church even on Father's Day, not too bad) and tasted great. Get the recipe from the lovely Susan here, or buy the book (it's worth it, promise!)

One more thing about the toys, does anyone have something like this or think it would work for a three year old and his little sister? Or a magical solution to keep it all cute and contained (obviously I'm asking too much!) I've been reading housekeeping books lately- like Real Simple's and Mrs. Meyer's and hope it's going to translate into a neater house- we'll see. And I'm not sure if reading books about cleaning and organizing is more or less weird than reading cook books, which I do far too often.

Come back later this week for some Mango Sorbet. Just thinking about it has me ready to run and buy some more mangoes!

19 comments:

  1. Oh no, sounds like it's all getting too much for you! Even though you have done the wrong TWD recipe, you are still ahead of the game for next week!

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  2. Your bread looks and sounds delicious! I'm with you all the way in having things organized. The bench looks like it would be great. I had something similar years ago when the boys were young and it was wonderful for keeping things accessible but "put away." Good luck in your endeavors!

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  3. I'm with you on all the organizing. I've been doing a fair bit of it myself too! I like your bench with baskets. Personally, I'm all about the baskets. I'm going to make a post soon (maybe today!) with pictures of Amelia's toys and they are all in baskets. I've also got one large basket that fits exactly under our end table next to our couch. All her toys fit in there and I rotate them out. You can't tell they are even toys until I pull out the basket. I worked really hard (major dork!) to find that basket and the ones in her room but I think they were worth the effort. Granted she's only 10 months and we still have a lot of learning and growing to do. Good luck! We are just a bit too much alike... :0)

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  4. I have a rice cooker, but that is because I grew up with one as a staple :) I can't even conceive of cooking rice on the stovetop, haha. I know you can do a lot of other things in a rice cooker (or a pressure cooker, which is what my mother has upgraded to), so I think it would be worth it. Or you could just get a cheap little one that just makes perfect rice every time!

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  5. What a pretty bread! Sounds tasty too. :)

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  6. your bread is so pretty! a work of art.

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  7. Bread looks perfect.

    i know what you mean about the toys etc. Toy storage is always an issue. How, Where, etc.

    My rice cooker was a wedding gift 37 years ago and it still works beautifully. I use it lots and not just for plain rice. If you want good rice - get a cooker.

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  8. Your bread looks great! I can't wait for next week's recipe--is it fabulous??

    I think I'm in the minority, but I don't like rice cookers. I always cook mine stovetop, and have perfected the art of getting a golden brown crisp layer on the bottom without burning it. That's my favourite part, and can't be replicated in a rice cooker.

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  9. "every nook and crazy" that is hilarious!
    your bread looks awesome.

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  10. Oooh, I wouldn't have thought to add cinnamon chips. What a great idea! I'll have to remember that. My 7yo doesn't like raisins in baked goods and keeps trying to convince me to replace them with chocolate chips at all times. =)

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  11. I wish I'd have thought to use up the 1/2 cup of cinnamon chips I have left in the cinnamon rolls I made with this bread recipe last week.

    Ugh--toys, the bain of my existence! ;) Especially as I finish packing and we move on Friday. Good luck with your organizing adventures.

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  12. I love cinnamon chips too! I add them to so many things! Your bread looks amazing!

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  13. Your bread looks amazing! I didn't make last week's recipe, but now I'm rethinking that. Looking forward to reading about your mango sorbet. Sounds refreshing!

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  14. If you ever find a way to manage all of the toys, please let me know because I want that secret!

    Your bread looks delicious!!!

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  15. I'm with you on the toy issue. Ever since my second kid came along, they have exploded. We are making do with some IKEA bookcases and baskets, but they keep escaping. We are moving in a month and I secretly wish about half (maybe more) of the toys would conveniently fall off the moving truck.

    But about that bread...it looks soooo good!

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  16. Gosh, Anne, I sure can sympathize with you. I remember well those days of toys all over the floor. My husband used to say it was like we were living "in a clown house"! Sounds like you're making progress trying to get it all under control. In the meantime, though, you're still baking the most beautiful stuff! Your cinnamon chip bread looks absolutely fantastic.
    :) Jane

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  17. Very pretty bread and I just have to say, "YES!" to rice cookers. I love ours. It's so nice to just fill it up, turn it on and there you go!

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