House 214 Design

Design for the Home

  • About
  • Blog
  • The Homebody Fellowship
  • House 214 Design Shop
  • Contact
  • Member Login
  • Create Support Ticket

October 9, 2017 By Melinda 5 Comments

My Mother’s Thanksgiving Bread

IMG_2840 copy

I was inspired to start filling our home with tastes and aromas from the past. It is always a simple pleasure to cook these recipes and one that fills my heart to the fullest.

There are recipes that you make only during certain times of the year, aren’t there? One that holds true for me is my mother’s Sally Lunn Bread recipe from her Pepperidge Farm Cookbook.

IMG_2835

IMG_2841 copy

As a child, and even still today, more often than not The Pepperidge Farm Cookbook could be found sprawled on a counter in my parent’s kitchen. My mom cooked many of our family week night dinners from the recipes that filled that book.

There were other recipes in the cookbook that only found their way onto the family table for special occasions. Sally Lunn Bread was one such recipe.

IMG_2844 copy

IMG_2861

“Sally”, as my siblings and I called this bread, would take center stage on a crystal cake stand on the beautifully dressed Thanksgiving table.  We would all fill our holiday plates with a healthy slice of “Sally” and more often than not sneak a second piece.

On the rare occasion that we did have “Sally” leftovers we would toast slices for breakfast the next morning. Spreading pats of butter on top and enjoying every bite as it melted.

IMG_2870 copy

My mom surprised my sisters and I one Christmas with a gift she found on eBay. She had found three original versions of the cookbook that played such a large part of our family meals growing up.

And do you know what? It wasn’t Thanksgiving time, but “Sally” was still the first recipe I made from that book.

IMG_2866

Sally Lunn Bread Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 2 t salt
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
  • 1/2 cup warm water
  • 2 packages of yeast
  • 3 eggs well beaten
  • 4 – 4/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour

Method

  1. Heat your oven to 350 degrees. I use the dough hook for my mixer when making this recipe.
  2. In a mixer, combine 1 1/2 cup of sifted flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Blend until mixed.
  3. Scald the milk then add the butter. Remove from the stovetop and cool down until lukewarm.
  4. Add the milk & butter mixture along with the water to the dry ingredients. Blend together.
  5. Next add the eggs and 2 1/2 cups of sifted flour to the mixer and beat on high for 2 minutes.
  6. Add remaining 1/2 cup of sifted flour if needed.
  7. Cover; let rise in a warm place, until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
  8. Stir down the dough, pour into a well-greased 10-inch-angel food cake pan.
  9. Cover, let rise in a warm place, for another 30 minutes.
  10. Bake in a hot oven (350 degrees) for 30-40 minutes until brown on top (depending on your oven).

*You can also use 2 well greased 8-inch-square cake pans

 

Filed Under: Thanksgiving Tagged With: autumn, bake, blogger, cook, decorate, fall, food, home, recipe, Thanksgiving

November 4, 2016 By Melinda Leave a Comment

“It’s Not About the Perfect Home”

Do you have a list of things that you hope to accomplish some day? Whether you have them in the back of your mind or actually have them written down, they are there, and little by little you work towards them in one way or another.

When I discovered Karen and  Zandra from  Little Yellow Couch I just knew I wanted to take part in what their philosophy was regarding the home. In their own words, ” It’s not about the perfect home. It’s about creating moments that delight you amidst your everyday life”.

Their past guest list includes Grace Bonney from Design Sponge, John and Sherry Petersik from Young House Love, and many many more. So, when I was asked to take part and be a guest on their podcast, Style Matters, I was beyond thrilled. To listen to the full episode, please see below.

Oh, and the icing on the cake was Karen and Zandra had asked to teach a segment on my new and live (that you take on your own schedule) course, Creating a Timeless Feeling Home. It really has been a wonderful and rewarding collaboration. The best kind in my mind!

 

 

Filed Under: classic, design board, giveaway, home, home tour, interior, Kitchen, laundry room, Outdoor, Real Goods, summer, timeless, Uncategorized Tagged With: authentic, blogger, classic, decorate, design, diy, fall, feeling, holidays, home, home design, house, interior. interior design, interview, kitchen, living, moments, simple, slow living, teach, Thanksgiving

November 6, 2015 By Melinda 6 Comments

Thanksgiving Tablescape Tour

My inspiration for this project came from a visit to Belgium a few years ago. My father was born and raised in Holland and his family and many friends still live in the area. We stayed with some long time friends of ours in Belgium. One morning we sat down to breakfast and before us sat a table piled high with wonderful breads and rolls. They were not in baskets or on platters, but sat directly on the table. I was drawn to this tablescape and the mood that it evoked. I wanted to create that same feeling for my own Thanksgiving table. Here is my own version.

IMG_0426

IMG_0398

The bread is a part of the meal and encourages people to take what they want. I think the table setting feels real. It welcomes people to sit down and enjoy the experience of family, friends, and food.

There is a lot of bread of course, but mixed within are other elements that I believe make it feel real. The corn in the center is glittered in gold and repeated on the walnuts that sit on the napkins. The brass candlesticks and gold ribbon compliment this same color palette.

IMG_0396

IMG_0416

The herbs were something I wanted to incorporate because put simply I love them! I love how they look, but most of all I love how they smell. Sense can be another way to add warmth in my opinion.  I planted thyme in the urns,  rosemary is tucked in with the utensils that sit on the plates, the plant on the island is a rosemary topiary, and the round bread on the table are rosemary loaves.

IMG_0421
IMG_0418

You will find silver and grey in many pieces. The tablecloth and napkins are obviously in the grey family. The rim of the china, the cake stand, butter dish, silverware, and  even the chairs all have some tone of silver in them.

IMG_0413

IMG_4459

My tablescape is a “tip of the hat” to the Thanksgiving holiday. To me that makes it feel more authentic and not forced.  I spent approximately $20 on the bread and everything else I already owned.

My “something to try” tip is to create a beverage station. I didn’t want to clutter the table too much, so I decided to place the water pitcher and glasses on a nearby marble table. Now everyone can help themselves!

IMG_0403

IMG_0402I have created a free design plan to help get you started on creating  a timeless feeling home. You can find out more below. Take care! Melinda

[jetpack_subscription_form title=”Subscribe To Blog” subscribe_text=”Sign up to receive updates and get a FREE Timeless Feeling Design Plan!”]

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: classic, design, fall, home, interior, interior design, table, tablescape, Thanksgiving

©House214Design, 2022