The stockings are hung on the mantel with care
and the magic of Christmas fills the air.
The house is decorated both outside and in.
We are ready for holiday activities to begin.
The tree is adorned, there are presents to shake.
Now it's time to go into the kitchen to bake.
I have been blogging for nearly three years and I have never shared a recipe - there is a first time for everything!
The kitchen is not my domain, by express request of all family members - EVERYONE hates my cooking, but they love my holiday baking.
Last night with the tree complete and decorating finished, I put on Christmas music and made my favorite Strawberry Bread that I only make at Christmas.
The recipe makes two loaves so I made one regular sized loaf and three mini loaves.
I had a piece of strawberry bread for breakfast. - okay, you caught me, I had 2!
And that is why these loaves of bread will be dropped off at neighbors' houses today.
The house is decorated, the baking has begun and Christmas music fills the house - the holidays are in full swing at our house.
Everything looks so beautiful Carol! And...that strawberry bread looks divine! I need to make some for myself and maybe to share too! Enjoy all the festivities the season brings...I know I will! Have a blessed Sunday.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Vicky
That strawberry bread looks very tasty, Carol. It's one of those things that you could eat the whole loaf if no one knew you made it....not that I would ever do that.
ReplyDeleteEverything looks so festive and lovely. Happy Sunday to you- xo Diana
Hi Carol, I love your decorations! I am finished decorating my tree too. I still have more shopping to do and to start my wrapping of presents this week. Thanks for that recipe. I never had strawberry cake before but it sure looks and sounds good! I hope you have a nice week. I am now following you on GFC and I look forward to becoming a new blog friend of yours. I am enjoying following you and looking at your photos on Instagram! Have a wonderful week.
ReplyDeleteJulie @ Julie's Lifestyle
It all looks and sounds wonderful. Your antique cookie cutter of the star with the little round green wooden handle is just like the ones my mom used to use. xoxox
ReplyDeleteLooks like a good first recipe to share. Your decorations look so pretty. You do a nice job with your blog, such as taking the extra steps to present the recipe in such a lovely way. I hope you are feeling better and can sit back and enjoy the season.
ReplyDeleteI definitely would have had a piece of your bread . . . or several . . . with my morning coffee - it looks really yummy. Your decorations look wonderful. I'm sure it's a good feeling to be finished. I'm almost there!
ReplyDeleteI'm a little of a Grinch this year, so am enjoying seeing your decorations. Been down since all our company left after Thanksgiving and can't find the inspiration to decorate. Thanks for providing some much needed inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI will have to have Jim try this ~ he is nuts about anything strawberry, and I'm pretty fond of the flavor too!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations for your first recipe post!!
It looks so pretty already! and I am going to try out that recipe too!
ReplyDeletexox
Carol, love your pretty decorations! I just finished some holiday baking too! Congrats on your recipe post--looks yummy! Looking forward to participating in Creating Christmas with you! Blessings, Cecilia
ReplyDeleteSounds wonderful. Your neighbours are very lucky!
ReplyDeleteYour home sounds like the most wonderful place to be this Christmas season. Nothing more fun than a festive home like yours, Christmas music, and the smell of cookies baking!!
ReplyDeleteMary Alice
Lovely Christmas everywhere!! I love the knitted stockings on the mantel. I'm supposed to make a stocking for my husband, but can't decide on knitting or sewing (I wonder if my indecision will hinder the completion of it?!). The strawberry bread sounds delicious, thank you for sharing your recipe. I love baking goodies at Christmas and can't wait to get started! Wendy x
ReplyDeleteYour decorating and the colors you use are so wonderful and I love Lucy with the Merry Christmas pillow. Wish I was a baker I'd make the strawberry bread, I know my hubs would love it!
ReplyDeleteYour home looks beautiful...and I love all your decorations! Love the yellow and red color combo's...I guess I'm partial to yellow!
ReplyDeleteWow everything looks wonderful. Looks like you are ready for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteAs always your home is beautiful but at Christmas time even more so.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
Everything looks so pretty and your strawberry bread looks very yummy!
ReplyDeleteYour home looks really nice. The bread sounds yummy. Miss LuLu looks cozy.
ReplyDeleteSo pretty and festive! The strawberry bread sounds delicious and I'm sure your neighbors are thrilled. :)
ReplyDeleteCarol your home looks fabulous and so festive! That strawberry bread looks amazing. Thank you for the recipe I will be making this!! Can you add nuts? do you think it would be good with nuts? Love the wine bottle all decked out! Cute!
ReplyDeletehugs,
Linda
Everything looks just lovely.
ReplyDeleteI like how you decided to post a recipe.The way you wrote your post made me smile.
Enjoy the Holiday Season.
I will be taking a short break...I will catch up with you soon.
♥ Carla
So much pretty. You know I love the way you can make color! I know now that I need to add a few sprigs of holly to my white and red. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteEverything looks so pretty! The strawberry bread sounds so yummy...I can see why you had 2 pieces.
ReplyDelete~Cindy
I really want to try this bread. When do you put in the rest of the flour? After the oil? I have no kitchen at the moment...waiting for cabinet installation and new stove, so it will be awhile before I can try it.
ReplyDeleteOk a big yum on the strawberry bread and your decor is looking so sweet. Love the reds in your cottage for Christmas. Love seeing little LuLu watching on as you bake away. Everything looks great Carol.
ReplyDeleteKris
ummmmm. strawberry bread! sounds as good as your house looks. Now relax and have some fun.
ReplyDeleteI would have had more than two by now. '-)
ReplyDeleteYour rhyme is delightful as are the holiday touches around your cottage. Like you, our home is decorated and the baking has begun. Love this time of year.
The strawberry bread and your home look so festive!
ReplyDeleteCarol I seriously have never had everything ready so early and certainly not this year so I'm living vicariously through your lovely house. How pretty it looks and the bread looks so yummy too...! Did it pass the family taste test?
ReplyDeleteGood for you for getting the major things done and on to the fun stuff...baking. I am going to Pin this recipe. I love making breads as gifts.
ReplyDeleteYour mantel looks pretty and I love the care you take in wrapping your gifts so pretty! Sometimes I feel like I'm in a factory churning out the wrapped gifts! lol!
Happy Holidays, Carol!
Jane xx
Delightful!
ReplyDeleteEverything looks wonderful.
Thanks for the recipe ...the strawberry bread sounds delish...may have to give this one a try!
It looks yummy! The house looks wonderful. I hear the same about my cooking, but actually a good cook. The problem is that I am creative and take risks, so sometimes I fail. Is that what you do? I've never heard of strawberry bread until now, and I want to try it. xoxo
ReplyDeleteGOOD MORNING MY FRIEND! Miss lulu looks guilty...what did she do? teeehee...did she sneak in a piece or two of strawberry bread? I WOULD!
ReplyDeleteI just love that little snow hat and scarf for the wine bottle...adorable! And your cottage is as bright and fabulous as always my friend. Thank you for posting! I sure missed you. Anita
I'm keeping the recipe for when we'll have strawberries, which is not now in Brittany!!! Lulu is adorable: she needs a bow for Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI love baking at this time of the year and giving things away. I have to try this bread. We all love strawberries. Thanks for sharing Carol.
ReplyDeleteCarol,
ReplyDeleteChristmas music and baking strawberry bread ... your happy cheery cottage is so very Merry and bright. From now on out I'm referring to Christmas gifts as "things to shake", lol. Miss Lulu looks very calm and well behaved.
She must know good behavior rewards with Santa treats.
Max and Simon have been digging out their past Christmas toys and showing us them - as if to say Christmas we want new toys!
xoxo,
Vera
Your strawberry bread looks delicious, I'm sure everyone looks forward to it every year. Everything is looking so festive!
ReplyDeleteI pinned your recipe and hope to have time to make some of your strawberry bread this Christmas. It sounds and looks delicious. Enjoy the holidays, Carol!
ReplyDeleteYour house looks beautiful Carol! Are those candy cane candlesticks on the mantle???? Your vignettes are so pretty!!!! And the strawberry bread looks amazing!! I must try that and I love how you wrapped them up!!! Thanks for sharing pal...hope you have a great week! Nicole xo
ReplyDeleteOh, I want to come over to YOUR house today to join you! It all looks so pretty and the bread looks yummy. Thanks for sharing the recipe. Love your knit stockings, btw.
ReplyDeleteEverything looks great and the breads sound so yummy
ReplyDeleteCindy
I just came over from Poppy's and thought I was still there, when reading your great prose. Everything is looking great and the bread looks scrummy.
ReplyDeleteHi Carol, your neighbors will be blessed with your strawberry bread. It looks delicious. Your home is gorgeous and thanks for sharing the recipe.
ReplyDeleteLoved your decorative poem to go with the pics!
Hugs
I'm liking your colourful Christmas decor. The strawberry bread looks delicious and your neighbours are very lucky!! Hugs. Pam
ReplyDeleteYummy!! Looks great Carol! Your decorating is alway spot on, who knew your baking was to? ;)
ReplyDeleteYummy!! Looks great Carol! Your decorating is alway spot on, who knew your baking was to? ;)
ReplyDeleteEverything looks so pretty. Isn't it fun. I've made strawberry bread. Now we have our own strawberry plants. Your recipe sounds very good. I will have to try it.
ReplyDeleteOh, what a wonderful feeling it must be to have all your decorating, shopping, and wrapping done and just be able to enjoy the season! Your strawberry bread looks delish and I'm sure your neighbors will enjoy their gifts from your kitchen, Carol!
ReplyDeleteThat strawberry bread looks so yummy! Am going to try that.
ReplyDeleteJudy
What a sweet tradition and tasty treat. I had to laugh that no one likes your cooking but they love your baking. That is ok not everyone can do everything so well. But what a memory you have started for every Christmas for all your loved ones to keep in their hearts
ReplyDeleteLove all your Christmas touches...even that strawberry bread is packaged up so beautifully. Guess it's a good thing that you married a guy who likes to cook and is good at it...what if you both couldn't cook?!
ReplyDeleteThe recipe sounds great. I want Shanley Belle and I to bake it over the Christmas break. :)
ReplyDeleteEverythings looking so pretty! My daughter loves strawberry any and everything. This sounds delicious! We'll have to try it.
ReplyDeleteThat strawberry bread looks delicious and sounds wonderful. I may actually try that recipe and make some small loaves for friends/family! I'll make sure to give you the credit :) Blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteYour home is looking so beautiful and so festive! I spy lots of things I love there! Your strawberry loaves are such a nice gift idea, and sound and look delicious. Love the picture of Lulu and the gorgeous cushion!
ReplyDeleteHelen xox
It does feel so festive! I have never heard of strawberry bread before! Sarah x
ReplyDeleteYou write very beautifully.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had a slice of that for breakfast right this minute! :)
ReplyDeleteLooks awesome.
ReplyDeleteHi Carol, I've started my baking, too. Steve loves coming home from work to see what is cooling on the counter:) Oh, and it makes the house smell so nice.
ReplyDeleteYour decorations are beautiful and I had to stop and look twice at the top shelf in your kitchen. You are so clever. Everything in your home is uniquely creative and one of a kind. I just love visiting your blog.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Connie :)
I can almost smell the wonderful baking here, :)
ReplyDeleteLove how cozy Christmas feels here.
See you soon dear with all you inspire.
Xx
Dore
Dear Carol - I've never even heard of strawberry bread but it sounds delicious. I must try your recipe! Your home looks lovely all decorated and Lulu is certainly enjoying life this Christmas season. LOL! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Patti
Everything looks lovely. I am baking too. My daughter hosts an annual cookie swap and I'm determined to show up with something that looks edible. Thanks for your visit!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I think I have the same recipe for the strawberry bread. I love it!
ReplyDelete