Homemaking

I've got a lot of plans for the new week and most of them involve home.
I hope to spend many enjoyable hours this week getting our home ready for the upcoming Christmas season.

I plan to start in my kitchen.
It could use a good scrubbing down; top to bottom.

I'll fill my sink with hot, sudsy water
 and scrub the counter tops, the cabinet fronts, and I even plan to delve into the depths of the fridge during my cleaning frenzy!

Then after the kitchen is clean, I'll move on to the other rooms; the breakfast room, dining room, laundry room, living room, den, bathrooms, and bedroom.

I look forward to getting the wash done up and hope the weather is cooperative enough that I can hang the laundry on the clothesline.   

I'm planning a week of simple meals, breakfasting on hot oatmeal with brown sugar and cinnamon, easy lunches of sandwiches made from left over Thanksgiving turkey and ham, and suppers of soups and homemade bread.  I might even take the time to make one of my favorite rolls one night:

 Golden Potato Rolls

1 pkg yeast
1/2 cup warm water (110-115 degrees)
1 cup milk
3/4 cup butter
1 1/4 cup mashed potatoes
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons salt
8-8 1/2 cups plain flour, divided
2 eggs, beaten

1. Dissolve yeast in water; set aside.
2. In a saucepan combine; milk, butter, and potatoes; cook and stir over low heat just until butter melts.  Remove from heat and place in a large bowl with sugar, salt, 2 cups flour and yeast mixture.
3. Add eggs; mix well. 
4. Cover loosely and allow to stand 2 hours (the dough will look like a sponge).
5. Stir in enough of remaining flour to make a soft dough.
6. Turn onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic ~ about 6 minutes.
7. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top.  Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled ~ about one hour.
8. Punch down and divide into thirds.  Roll each portion into a 12" circle.
9. Cut each circle into 12 pie-shaped wedges.  Roll up, beginning at wide end.
10. Place rolls, point side down 2" apart on a greased baking sheet.
11. Cover and let rise 30 minutes or until nearly doubled.
12. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown.                                                                    Makes 3 dozen rolls

  

The rolls are melt-in-your-mouth buttery goodness! I even love them for breakfast with butter or cream cheese and my homemade apple-cinnamon jelly. Yum!

Now that my plans are made and my to-do list is filled out and on the side of the fridge waiting for Monday morning, I'm going to take a nice hot shower, put on my fuzzy housecoat, and cozy up in front of the tv and escape to Mayberry for a while with my sweet hubby before crawling into our warm bed. Our electric blanket is a true friend.