Baked Cinnamon Sugar Doughnuts

 

They're fluffy, golden, sweet. . .

 

 

And completely delicious.  

Did I mention that they are baked, rather then fried, making them infinitely more healthy (and easy to prepare) then the average fried doughnut?  Not that I can honestly call these healthy. . . but it sounds very good just to mention.

 

 

Recipe found at Honey & Jam.  An absolutely wonderful and breathtakingly beautiful cooking blog, by the way!

 

Baked Doughnuts
From Doughnuts by Lara Ferroni

(a book that looks quite deliciously and fatally tempting, by the way;)
makes 10-14 doughnuts

 

1 egg
1/4 cup superfine sugar
1 cup whole milk, heated to 115F
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 to 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour, divided, plus more for kneading

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, cut into 1 inch cubes

for topping:
1 stick butter, melted
1 cup superfine sugar + 2 tablespoons cinnamon (more or less, depending on your taste), mixed together

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the egg and sugar on medium speed until blended, about 1 minute. Add the milk, yeast, salt and vanilla, and stir to blend. With the machine on low speed, add 2 cups of flour, about 1/2 cup at a time, and beat until the dough is thick and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.

Switch to the dough hook. With the machine on medium speed, add the butter one piece at a time, and beat until no large chunks of butter are left in the bottom of the bowl, 3-5 minutes. Reduce speed to low and add the additional flour until the dough gathers around the hook and cleans the sides of the bowl. It will be soft and moist, but not overly sticky.

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead gently until the dough no longer sticks to your hands. Lightly grease a large mixing bowl.

Transfer the dough to the bowl and turn to coat. Cover with a damp tea towel and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

Punch down the dough and roll out to 1/2 inch thick. With a doughnut or a cookie cutter, cut out 3 inch diameter rounds with 1 inch diameter holes.

*(My doughnut cutter is in storage at the moment, but I used a mason jar lid and a small bottle lid to cut out my doughnut shapes.  It worked splendidly!)*

Preheat the oven to 400 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the doughnuts at least 1 inch apart on the baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit in a warm spot until nearly doubled in size, about 20 minutes.

Bake until the doughnuts are light golden brown, 5 to 8 minutes, being very careful not to overbake them.

Immediately out of the oven, dip into butter, then directly into cinnamon sugar mixture.

Best eaten fresh and warm.  

 

Oh yes.

Farmgirl Charm

{Rose and apple-green.}

These pillows are adorable.

 

{Ruffles and Ribbon}

 

And cushy.

 

{Embroidery and Hearts}

 

And replete with Farmgirl charm.

 

Did I mention how plumb cute they are?

 

Head on over to see them in the Shop!

Freedom of the Nations - New lyrics for an old celtic favorite

About two years ago, I sat down and wrote some lyrics to a favorite celtic air of mine.  The Foggy Dew is a beautiful, haunting tune that I first learned from a celtic harp instrumental by Bonnie Leigh Barnum.  Several different lyrics have been set to this song over the years, most notably the Easter rising of 1916 in Ireland.  

I took my inspiration from 2 Chronicles 7:14-15 -

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.  Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place."

And also Psalms chapter 2 -

"Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.  He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.  Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.  Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.  Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.  Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him."

I sang this song with Tasha twice in front of an audience (with my trusty accordion:), which was wonderful!  It was during one of these performances that I was approached afterwards by a kind lady who gave me two white accordions.  What a unexpected blessing that was!

I recently recorded my version of the tune using some wonderful recording software, Mixcraft.  (Thank you, Aubrey!)  A midi cable connected to my keyboard created all of the tracks except the accordion, which is a live recordion.  I mean recording. :D

The mix isn't perfect yet by any means, but I thought I'd share it with you all in honor of the celtic holiday=)

I'm hoping to get the vocals recorded in the near future, also.

Oh, and by the way, I added several more of my recordings to the music player on my home page.  Feel free to go listen!

Enjoy!

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Freedom of the Nations

~ by Kellie Falconer ~

1). If my people's hearts are humbled, if they pray and seek my face,
if they turn away from evil, I will not withhold my grace.

I will hear their prayers from heaven, I will pardon every sin,
if my people call upon me, I will heal them from within.

For if my people shall come as one, if they seek to know my face;
I will pour the grace of heaven down upon their broken land,
all shall see - my mighty hand.


2). The kings of the earth set themselves against the Lord,
and my people heard not my cries.

They are scattered and broken, they trust not in my name,
their hearts are filled with greed - and lies.

Oh ye are weak, but I am strong, why will ye trust not in me?
Be wise, now therefore, all ye judges of the earth,
serve the Lord, with fear - and rejoice.


3). If my people's hearts are humbled, if they pray and seek my face,
if they turn away from evil - I will not withhold my grace.

mine eyes will see their sorrow, and my ears will hear their plea,
if my people's hearts are humbled, I will set their nation free.

For if my people come to my throne, and repent of their wicked ways;
I will pour the grace of heaven down upon their broken land,
they shall have freedom in my mighty hand.

Vive Ut Vivas!

.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

Feel free to take the .mp3 file of this song to use on your personal music player!

I hope you will be blessed in some small way by my music.

Freedom of the Nations.mp3

P.S. Pinch yourself if you aren't wearing green! ;)

Meet Petrov

"Elegance is a question of personality."

- Jean-Paul Gaultier

I have recently acquired a friend I would like to introduce to you.

His name is Petrov.

I met this charming gentleman on my birthday last month, whilst browsing through the antique shops downtown.  By some chance, I forgot to bring him home.  Next time I went in to town, however, I marched in to Wiggett's and strode purposefully down to the basement.  There my little friend resided, and, much to my relief, I found him exactly where I had left him hanging from a safety pin along with his two companions.  I picked them all up, and carrying them to the front counter, flung them down in front of the clerk in the most approved fur-trader method I could muster.  He raised an eyebrow.  

What else could he do, when a determined young lady strode into his shop, disappeared in to the basement without so much as looking around, and then emerge carrying three weasels? =D

At any rate, I was tickled to find my little friends.  I ran out to the car where my Mom and sisters were waiting, and before I was even in my seat I was attacked by hands reaching and voices clamoring to see my treasures!

I chose the middle-sized one to be my very own.  Ma got the biggest one, a rather ungainly fellow, nearly two feet long, with enormous yellowish eyes and a clip fixed to his mouth so as to be able to "bite" things.  As of yet he has no name:)  Ellen selected the littlest, a furry brown thing with the most cunning wee nose and beady green eyes.  He has been dubbed Perchik.  

Neither Ma nor Ellen wear their weasels in public.

My weasel is the most darling of all;)  

So of course, I wear him proudly around my neck. . . driving home from town, for instance.  

Oh, my wicked sense of humor.  Have you ever seen a girl wearing a red leather coat, white sunglasses - and a tawny  colored weasel with a bushy tail and beady eyes draped around her neck, driving down the road?  If you have, perhaps you made a face similar to the ones I saw through my windshield.  

'Twas highly amusing.  And delightfully hilarious.  And slightly naughty of me. . . sigh.  We stopped by Tasha's house on the way home, and she gave me a face similar to the ones I had seen through my windshield - oh, it was rich.

His name is Petrov.

He's soft.  Warm.  Furry.  Cute.  Impossibly long and flat.

He keeps my neck nice and warm.

He looks pretty stylish, too.

He's an excellent music connoisseur.

And faithful companion.

Ta ta for now!

~Kellie~

P.S.  In spite of my impish sense of humor, I have not the slightest wish to offend anyone by wearing a real weasel around my neck.  I would be truly grieved to do that.  

I strongly believe in taking dominion of this earth God has entrusted to us, and a large part of that trust is being good stewards of the animals He created.  Thanks for understanding. :)

7 Random Things pertaining to me

My dear Tasha has Tagged me.  What to do?  Nothing, save comply with this "command performance" per say. ;D

 

~ Presenting Seven Random Things About Myself ~

(or, some things you perhaps never knew about Kellie)

 

 

1).  I love {love} love accents.  Listening and speaking.  Scottish is my favorite, naturally.  But I'm best at doing the Australian.  I got myself into a funny predicament one day from using my Aussie accent with a perfect stranger... or so I thought!  Sorry to be so tantalizing - I'll share the story some day. =) Promise.

 

2).  The only bone I've ever broken was my collarbone, when I was five.  I tripped over the dog.

 

3). During my horseback riding adventures over the years, I've fallen off four times, been bucked off twice, and bailed once.  Pretty good, considering some of the horses I've ridden...:D  During this time, praise God, I've never been injured once!

 

4). I've ridden approx. twenty-three horses during my life.  No, twenty-four.  I think.  That took awhile to count... ;)

 

5). Hmm, let's see.  I used to detest computers unmixedly.  Now I detest them occasionally, and with reservations... I think they're fabulous, and I dream of the day when I have my own 15" MacBook Pro, and then again I sometimes wish they were never invented. . .

 

6).  I can span 11 keys on the piano,

 

7). And, lastly, I wear a pith helmet in public.

 

How'd I do?  Random enough?

 

I hope you enjoyed! =)

 

Love,

~Me~

 

 

P.S.  Oh, and I very nearly forgot!

I pass this tag on to my lovely followers (at least, those who are very brave and are willing to participate! =)

Thoughts of Spring {Blog Party}

 

 

 

How would people describe your personality? (If they could only use ONE word.) Are they right?

I don't really know how to answer this one. . .

However, I do know that there are two basic impressions people usually have of me - the one being a first impression, the other a more gourmet character.  (yes, I keep a journal, and yes, I am a Studier of Character;)  

I try. . .  

 

Now.  What I would like to know is what word comes to mind when you think of me.  For that is the crux of the matter!

And, do you think - that is, could I... please... be an alliteration?  Nobody ever called me an alliteration before - and please... could you spell it with an e?  :D

Who is your favorite blogger? Why?

Well, I love all of my real life friends, whose blogs I love to visit just to keep in touch and share inspiration, not to mention my blogging friends, whom I've been so incredibly blessed to get to know in the last few years, but - it would take a very long time to list them all out.  (I appreciate each and every one of you, dear friends! =) 

So, for this question, one blogger came to mind that I absolutely adore.  She is inspiration incarnate.  Her sense of style is gorgeous, and her sense of humor just right.  And her house. . . ooh, let's not talk about her house.  Suffice to say, if I ever have a house of my own some day, I think it will have a very similar aesthetic. . .;)

 

 

Her name is Alicia, and she blogs over at Posie Gets Cozy.  

Trip on over and see for yourself!

 

 

What is your comfort food/drink?

Piping hot peppermint tea and a homemade cinnimon roll.  Oh, yes. . .

 

 

 

Be brave – tell us something very random and weird about yourself.

Random - if I were to put on a pair of two-inch heels, I would stand about six feet tall.  (Um-hm, I'm 5'10" :)

Weird - I really can't think of anything at the moment.  I'll let you know. . .

Do you have a strong desire to do something you’ve never done? What is it?

Oh yes.  I have dreamed for years of packing up my clothes, musical instruments, and a brave-hearted friend or two, and seeing how far I could make it across America by playing at each stop.  

We would wear trench coats, shades, and pull out the harmonica at one place, then we'd get all jazzed up in western wear for some good ole' bluegrass at the next halt.  On the way we could see all those places in the great country of ours that I would probably never get the chance to otherwise...  Perhaps this counts as something weird about myself - Want to join me?!?  =D

 

Movies: Action, Drama, Romantic Comedy, Documentary, Comedy? What are your favorite genres?

I adore watching Period Dramas, Comedy, Musicals, Westerns, and Creation Science lectures, to name a few.

Books: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Romance, Biographies, True Stories, Self-Help, Devotional/Study? What are your favorite types of reading material?

Anything amusing, informative, and edifying!  A great many are listed here, on my library page.

 

Music: Funk, Rock, Country, Jazz, Classical, Film Score, Blues, Classic Rock, Crooner, Alternative, Heavy Metal, Techno? What are your favorite types?

I think music one of God's greatest gifts.  And haunting Celtic, sparkling Classical, soul-stirring hymns, foot-stompin' Bluegrass, emotion-grabbing film scores, and toe-tappin' swing are my idea of a good representation!

If you inherited a million dollars, what is the first thing you would do with your money?

Well, if I inherited it, I suppose the first thing I would be doing is giving a hefty amount to the IRS in the form of inheritance tax. . . Oh. Goody.  Then, I would build my family's dream home, continue to develop our property into a self-sufficient homestead, and invest a bit in launching my dream design business.  So's I could make more. ;)

 

Name one weakness of yours (confession is good for the soul).

I have an unaccountable weakness for devilish, small, bucking and rearing, indescribably handsome, deep red chestnut Morgan horses.  

A very dangerous weakness, but a fulfilling one, I assure you.

If you could live anywhere at all (and take all your loved ones with you), where would you go?

Right where I'm at, actually!  I thank God every day for allowing me to live with my family in the most beautiful spot on earth - north Idaho.

 

Strange Talent? Can you juggle basketballs, put your legs behind your head or perform some other strange feat?

Well, since you mentioned it, I can wiggle my toes in a most uncanny way. . . =D Does playing the accordion count? :)

 

 

What is one of your favorite things to catch a whiff of? 

Horses.  And leather.

 

 

Also fresh sunshine, lilacs, clean babies, a wet summer thunderstorm, and almond extract.

If money wasn’t a factor, what stores would you shop in?

Let's put it this way - If money wasn’t a factor, I'd shop at more stores! =)

More specifically, I'll say myriads of Etsy shops, Cath Kidston, Hmm... Amazon? Yes, Amazon and Costco!  Victorian Trading Co, Fabric.com, antique stores. . .

What is your greatest fear or strange phobia?

I'm a rather cool and calm under pressure sort of person, but the one time I was anesthetized (to have my wisdom teeth removed) I felt absolutely wild.  Before I went under, that is:)  I shiver every time I recall that awful, helpless feeling.

What are your favorite animals?

Beautiful, caring horses (chestnut Morgans for me:), loyal dogs (a scottie, a cowdog mix, and a Berneese mountain dog, please!) naughty river otters, black-capped chickadees, good-natured milk goats, sonsy, bustling chickens, cuddly barn kitties... giraffes are rather facinating, too - I love animals.

Are you a hopeless romantic?

I like to think I am.  It's the romantic in me - to quote Louis Renault from Casablanca;)

Though I wish whoever coined that phrase would define it a little better.  

Me?  Romantic? Of course.   Hopeless?  Why no, thank you.

What movie or book character can you most relate to?

Have you ever read The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer?  Well, Sophy is really me.  Indeed.

 

 

.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

 

Well, it's been fun, and I must now bid you all auf Wiedersehen.  

Thanks for reading, and if you'd leave me a note, well, quite simply, I'd love it!

 

A beautiful Monday evening to you all!

 

~Kellie~

 

 

P.S. No, unlike Sophy, I don't carry a handgun in my muff.  Yet...