Lately my son has been napping 3+ hours a day…that’s HUGE in this house. I’m used to 1- 1 1/2 hour naps, sending me into a tailspin to get as much done in that time period as I possible can! With these wonderfully long naps, Ive been able to take my time, baking, photographing, editing, scheduling posts, cleaning, relaxing, sometimes catching up on my DVR…its been glorious for me..hes teething, which is causing these naps, so its probably not as much fun for him. Which makes me a little sad. 🙁
It’s been nice having such a huge chunk of time to myself, especially these last weeks before we add a newborn to the household. I have about six weeks left, and I feel like I’m not even close to prepared! My fiance is so busy with school and military stuff that he doesn’t have much time to help me either..which is frustrating at times, but completely understandable. Sadly I cant lift things in and out of the attic myself though.
The result? No nursery. As in, a whole crap-load of junk where the nursery should be, just lots of storage! It stresses me out! We’re working on transitioning our little guy to a toddler bed so that we’ll have the crib available in a few months. I haven’t even begun to go through all the clothes we have from the first time around to see what we need to get..since both our boys will have been born in completely opposite seasons..middle of the Summer versus the middle of the Winter. I have no dresser for said clothes yet. If you think I’m panicking…I’m beginning too. Oh, and we’re hosting Thanksgiving Dinner this year…have I begun to prep..nope.
At least some of my Christmas shopping is done! 🙂
We love breads in this house..I probably make 2-3 a week. We just can’t get enough of those delicious carbs! 😉 I recently made a Cranberry Honey Oat Bread and it was so good! The cranberries bring out the perfect amount of sweetness and make it so festive! Next time, I would even add more cranberries! Warm this bread up and slather it with some butter or even better with Rachel’s Cranberry Cinnamon Honey Butter! And there you have a delicious breakfast or snack!
Make this bread this season, your family will be grateful 🙂
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 Tablespoon butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/3 cup old fashion oats
- 2 1/2 cups bread four
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries
Directions
- In the bowl of your stand mixer, stir together the water, honey, melted butter, and yeast. Allow to sit 5-10 minutes, until foamy.
- Add to the mixture, the salt, cinnamon, oats, flour, and cranberries.
- Using the dough hook, mix and knead for 3-4 minutes on medium-low speed until smooth and tacky.
- Grease a bowl, add the dough, and cover with plastic wrap.
- Allow the dough to rise until it doubles in size, about 1-2 hours.
- Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
- Remove the dough onto a lightly floured surface, and punch down.
- Shape into a loaf and place into the greased pan.
- Cover with a damp towel and allow to rise a second time, about 35-45 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375. (Sprinkle the top of the bread with extra oats if desired.)
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, until you tap it and it sounds hollow, (or a thermometer reads 200 degrees Fahrenheit.)
- Enjoy!
Notes
Adapted From: Taste of Home
