Real Simple Recipe

Ok so my mom made this TO DIE FOR cranberry hazelnut bread the other week and I just made two batches - they are currently cooling on the racks (L is trying to snitch...tisk tisk!)  I used this recipe from Real Simple magazine and you can follow to the link here or you can stay on S'mores and check out all the deets.

 I doubled up on this (you might want to as well...it is that addicting)

Fresh out of the oven!

 Ingredients:

• 1 cup hazelnuts
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for the pan
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries 

**I added some honey to the list as well (about a tablespoon for a double batch)

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350° F.  Toast the hazelnuts for 10 to 12 minutes.
2. Butter your bread loaf pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugars, baking powder, and salt. 
3. In another bowl, whisk together the butter, milk, eggs, orange zest, and vanilla; add to the flour mixture and mix until just combined (do not overmix). Fold in the hazelnuts and cranberries.
4. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 55 to 65 minutes (tent with foil if the top browns too quickly). ***My bread was done around 47 minutes***
5. Cool in the pan for 30 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. 

deliciousness on a plate ;)

 The night ended a little something like this...

Couch date while I blog ;)

Christmas decorations are up and fresh baked bread...top notch night :)

Baking is my crutch to procrastination....a final paper has my name on it, but the house needed some holiday cheer.  Time to sign off and get writing.


xo,

House number three

So closing on house number three went down last Friday and it is already almost finished!  It is the cutest one bedroom home that L has decided to fix up - I've only been involved via the phone for paint color and ok-ing the flooring ;) A potential buyer is already in the works as well, which is great for a quick turnaround.

Here is a peak at the house when it was purchased:

Isn't she cute?

The living room - fresh paint, new blinds, new lights and new carpet

The bedroom with a nice size closet - fresh coat of paint, new carpet and new closet doors

The kitchen - fresh coat of paint, new flooring, stackable washer and dryer will be added as well as a fridge! Can't wait to see how it turns out :)

The layout of the house and potential furniture placement ideas.

Just keepin' everyone updated! Check back for the updated photos and enjoy this lovely Saturday afternoon :)
S'mores,

She's finished!

So it has been a minute and the house is finally completed! Another one was picked up just yesterday (photos coming soon!) which will have a quick turnaround and (fingers crossed!) staging! I am dying to be able to stage a house...if you couldn't tell already :)

Here are some photos of the house:

Home! First attempt at landscaping....it was surprisingly fun!

One of the bedrooms with fresh paint, new ceiling fan and refinished hardwood

Fresh paint in the bathroom and a fresh coat of enamel paint to spruce up the tile and tub!

Brand new bathroom off the master suite

Still my favorite part of the house <3....the basement puts up a fair fight though!

Completely refinished with new carpet and extra square footage - wishing this was ours!

Brand new appliances, counter top was updated, new flooring and fresh paint!

Another view

Lots of living room space with tons of natural light - fresh paint and new carpeting!

Beautiful fire place

Upcoming projects: tie dye and curtains (for my awesome nephew!), attempting to reupholster an awesome wing back chair that I picked up from craigslist for 20 bucks (!) and trying out Etsy for some of my sign language art - can't wait to see how it goes!

Hope this finds everyone doing well and enjoying these beautiful fall days we're having (time for raking leaves, anyone?)

Sneak peak at the first item going up for sale on Etsy: Shop S'mores

 

the beginning... :)

Check back soon!