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Amish Friendship Bread

So, here I wanted to share the directions, recipe and what to do if you don’t want to make extra starters on baking day OR if all you want to do is make starters and not bake the bread til another day.

Amish bread is super easy and very difficult to mess up. When given a bag of starter from a friend and you feel a little bit overwhelmed, just take a deep breath and DO NOT overthink it whatever you do

That seems to be my downfall to anything I attempt and fail at, it’s because I over-thought the process and stressed when all I needed to do was simply follow the instructions and see what happens.

Ok, are you relaxed? Take a deep breath. Feeling better? 😄 Now, let’s begin.

Amish Friendship Bread Starter Daily Instructions

Instructions 

  • Day 1. Do nothing.
  • Day 2: Mash the bag.
  • Day 3: Mash the bag.
  • Day 4: Mash the bag.
  • Day 5: Add 1 cup each of flour, sugar and milk. Mash the bag until it is mixed well.
  • Day 6: Mash the bag.
  • Day 7: Mash the bag.
  • Day 8: Mash the bag.
  • Day 9: Mash the bag.
  • Day 10: Pour the starter into a glass (or other nonmetal) bowl. Add 1½ cup each of all-purpose flour, granulated sugar and milk. Mix well with a wooden spoon.
  • Divide out 1 cup portions of the starter, placing 4 one-cup portions in 4 separate zippered plastic bags.
  • Seal the bags, and give them away to friends along with the instructions.
  • With the remaining starter left in your bowl, you are ready to make Amish Friendship Bread. (Recipe Below)

Amish Friendship Bread Recipe

  • Preheat oven to 325° F (165° C).
  • In a large mixing bowl, add ingredients as listed.
  • In a separate bowl mix 1 tsp cinnamon and 2 TBS sugar. Sprinkle half of this mixture into 2 well greased loaf pans. Pour batter on top of the mixture and sprinkle with remaining cinnamon mix.
  • Bake for one hour or until the bread loosens evenly from the sides and a toothpick inserted in the center of the bread comes out clean.

FAQs

How to bake bread but not make more starter on day 10?

Simply skip the adding of extra flour, sugar and milk & continue to the recipe

How can I skip bread baking day?

Feed your starter atleast 1/2 a cup each of flour, sugar and milk. Continue to follow the directions per day (start over with day #1)

Do I have to feed my starter as much flour on day 5?

No, you can do 1/2 a cup each of flour, sugar & milk on day 5 and repeat the process on day 10, 15 and 20 (baking bread on day 20)

How do I know if I have a healthy starter?

There should be atleast a few bubbles in your bag of starter. This is a great sign and shows that the fermentation process is working and you’ve got an active, healthy starter.

As I mentioned in the beginning this is super simple. As long as you keep the ratio correct, you shouldn’t mess anything up.

So have fun with it and explore all of the other options of Goody’s you can make with your friendship bread!

I hope you enjoyed todays post. Make sure to watch my latest video on my YouTube channel!

Much love,

Hollie Yang

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Another Baby!?

Surprise!

I’m still not used to saying I have 3 children… Now #4 will be arriving in April! We are all so excited!


I think it’s funny how SEVERAL people have asked me if this will be our last one. I always say, I’m not sure, and that is the truth, I really don’t know.

Something I haven’t shared, is that, I, nor my husband, have any exact plans on the number of children we plan to have.

I’m sure that sounds a bit strange, especially for those who know me well. Because, I am a planner. If things do not go according to my planning and timing, I get very frustrated.

But, God has been working on me about that and I have been learning that when we plan a little less and surrender to His plans a little more (or a lot more), we can be much more blessed & less stressed, because His ways are the best! ❤️

I am extremely content with the thought of having 4 children to raise, but, if He sends us another, I will be just as excited for the fifth as I am for this one!

I’m not sure how many children God has in store for us. But, I surrender to God’s plans, no matter if it contradicts my own. I’m just living in the moment and taking one day at a time ❤️

Proverbs 16:9 – A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

Psalms 127:3 – Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Jeremiah 1:5 – Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Encouragement for the Homemaker

This was supposed to be a bread baking video so I’m not sure how it turned into a Homemaker encouragement video, but here it is lol

The Key to Living a Simple Life

I’m going to get straight to the point. I’m not a fan of long introductions that leave you exhausted by the time you get to the meat of the message.

So, what is the key to living a simple life?

Contentment

con¡tent¡ment

noun

  1. a state of happiness and satisfaction

Just being satisfied in whatever circumstance you are in is the beginning of living a simple life.

Just being satisfied with whatever you have in your possession right now is the beginning of living a simple life.

Take whatever you have, the good, the bad, the ugly and just be thankful for it all.

It’s definitely not easy.

But it’s definitely worth it.

For example: At the current chapter I am at in my life, 3 littles (ages 4 and down), 1 on the way in April and whole lot of chores that need to be done every day. I have come to the place in my life to accept the fact that my home will not be spotless.

During these few years of babies and toddlers and homeschooling, my house will have toys scattered throughout 90% of the time.

Does this mean I don’t clean?

No, of course not.

But, it does mean, that I should not expect a spotless house. Just maybe somewhat sometimes “organized” 😄

I can still find contentment in that.

If I chose to stress over it and work myself to death trying to make my house Pinterest worthy, with not a single toy, old sippy cup, or sock strewn across floor, I would have a rather miserable existence.

Because it would be impossible to reach that state of perfection at this season of life. It is what it is.

And don’t let me get started about having company over. God’s been working with me on that one.

Let me just say, if you have contentment with your home, you won’t worry about company coming over.

We don’t have to have spotless homes, its your heart that matters.

Contentment says, my home isn’t perfect, but it’s open to good company.

Contentment says, my children are so messy but I am so glad they are my messes.

Contentment says, I don’t have the latest do-dad but I don’t need it.

Contentment says, there’s more dishes piled in the sink, I’m so glad we have warm running water so I can clean them.

Contentment says, I’m not rich, but I don’t need to be because I’m rich with many blessings.

I hope you find contentment and a simple way of life in this new year! ❤️

Words Mother’s Should Live By

We all need nuggets of wisdom as Mother’s to help us get through those tough situations with our children. So here are a few Bible verses and quotes from wise men & women I think deserve a read (and maybe some memorizing). I hope it blesses you as it did me.

1.” After a time of conflict it is extremely important to pray with the child, admitting to God that we have all sinned and no one is perfect. Divine forgiveness is a marvelous experience, even for a very young child.” -Dr. James Dobson

2.  “The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.”- Proverbs 29:15

3. “It’s not a parents responsibility to have godly children. It’s a parents responsibility to make sure the children have godly parents.” -unknown

4. “And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” -Deuteronomy 6:7

5. “Begin early to teach, for children begin early to sin.” -Charles Spurgeon

6. “Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.” Proverbs 29:17

7. “You are as much serving God in looking after your own children, training them up in God’s fear, minding the house, and making your household a church for God as you would be if you had been called to lead an army to battle for the Lord of Hosts.” -Charles Spurgeon

8. “And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.” Isaiah 54:13

9. “The process of shaping the child… shapes also the mother herself. Reverence for her sacred burden calls her to all that is pure and good, that she may teach primarily by her own humble, daily example.” -Elizabeth Elliott

10. “It is impossible to love deeply without sacrifice.” -Elizabeth Elliott

To My Faithful Few…

To those of you who have been faithfully tagging along.

Who follow me on social media…

read every post…

watch every video I post on youtube…

THANK YOU!🙋🏻

It’s because of you that I continue to post new content…

Although… I would probably post new videos and keep blogging even if no one looked at any of it anyway because I love it so much lol

But, because I know it is reaching someone and bringing some enjoyment to someone other than myself, that makes it so much better ❤

So, again, I thank you!

And I wish you nothing but the best in this New Year!!! 🎇

DIY Christmas Decor, Ornament & Garland

Making an ornament out of pinecones, a nativity out of sticks from the the firewood pile and a garland from rags, is what todays video is all about!

This is one of my favorite videos so far because it is all about my favorite time of year.

Its full of time spent with family and friends.

A time to celebrate the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ the Lord!

Spending time at home with the kids, exploring nature and slowing down to appreciate all that we have, is usually what our daily life consists of.

But it is during this Christmas season that makes the time together more fun and feel even more meaningful.

Ive been trying to make a point of talking less about Santa this year and more about Jesus.

Santa makes us all focus more on ourselves and what we want.

Where as, Jesus makes us focus on others and what they need.

It is such a beautiful time of year.

The weather as of late has been extra warm.

So we have been taking advantage of it and soaking up as much outdoor time as we can before the winter days of snow and sleet arrive.

I hope you enjoy this video as much as I enjoyed making it!

And Have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! ❄⛄

Please join me on my journey by subscribing to my channel, Home Sweet Cottage & my blog as well!

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#homemaker
#vintage
#oldways
#ruralliving
#cosy
#cozy
#painting
#christmastree

#christmas #ornaments #diy #pinecones #nativity #garland #rags #jesus

Using Sage as a Medicine

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Goldenrod Tonic

I’ve heard great things about this stunning wild herb! I have a ton of it growing in my backyard so I decided to do some research to educate myself on it. I am so glad that I did! With the knowledge I obtained, I now have some free medicine to put to use for a whole array of ailments!

If you decide to forage for this plant, I would choose a cold day to do it. This year it appeared that wasps and yellow jackets were especially fond of the pretty yellow flower clusters! 🐝But if you go out on a cold day you shouldn’t have to worry about them… too much anyway.

Goldenrod

Below is an extensive list from Natural Remedies & cures of all the issues that Goldenrod is said to help…

High Blood Pressure

Kidney Disease

Tuberculosis

Stress

Allergy

Arthritis

Flatulence

Diarrhea

Dysentery

Yellow Fever

Insect Bites

Nausea

Vomitting

Hiccups

Thrush

Sore Throat

Bronchitis,

Tonsilitis

Kidney Stones

Prostatis

Painful Menstruation

Wounds

Bloody Diarrhea

Ulcers in the Mouth, Throat and Private Parts

Colds

Cramps

Measles

Snakebites

Colic

Boils

Burns

Headache

Toothache

Cystitis

Urethritis

Inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract

Hemorrhoids

That’s a pretty long list right? So I came across a Goldenrod tonic recipe from group recipes and I am so excited to try it out!

This tonic is used for Urinary Tract Infections, kidney stones, sore throats, nausea, diarrhea, cramps, hiccups and lowering blood pressure.

It’s also super simple to make with only 2 ingredients, Goldenrod & Apple Cider Vinegar.

I hope you enjoy making this healthful home remedy as much as I did

Goldenrod Tonic

What you will need:

*Goldenrod flowers & leaves

*Apple Cider Vinegar

* Glass jar

Once your goldenrod has been washed and dried for a week to two, remove the flowering tops and place in a jar. Fill it completely full.

Next, add in the Apple Cider Vinegar until it is covering the Goldenrod. If your herb floats up just as mine did, use a spoon gently to push it under the vinegar.

Cover with a plastic lid and put away for 4-6 weeks before you begin to use your homemade medicine.

Thank you for reading todays post and watching my video! Please make sure you have subscribed to my blog and my youtube channel!

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