My *little* sister just had her 3rd baby last month. Her 3rd boy. A beautiful, healthy, chunky little boy named Leo. ♥
{So, she now has a 4 year-old, a one-year-old, a newborn and a good case of sleep-deprivation. ;)}
Bread:
It's always been my philosophy that new mothers need a little sugar high to make it through the day.....or at least until naptime.
Enter Poppy Seed Bread that makes TWO loaves and is perfect to freeze and drop off to a new mommy.
The bread is oh-so-moist....I'm no expert, but it might have something to do with the 1+ cups of oil in the recipe.
It is SO good just sliced and served plain for breakfast, or a snack, or for dessert. It's a multi-tasker.
Beautiful Bloggers:
You may know that we lost my mom to cancer over 10 years ago. Kiddo was 1 and I feel so lucky that he had her in his life, even if it was only for a year.
Mom made the quilt for kiddo's bed....and she started a small quilt for him to have to carry around. But she got too sick to finish it.
I'm not good with a needle and thread. So, this little quilt was in a bag that I've carried from house to house to house. And a couple months before baby Leo was born, I found it!
Here's what it looked like (the top was put together, batting and back attached with pins and bits of thread.):
On a whim, I tweeted something like, "Anyone interested in finishing a baby quilt in exchange for cookies.....or cash?"
I'm not kidding, 5 seconds later, sweet Robyn from Earthbound Chronicles offered to finish it.....FOR THE COOKIES!!! I think I offered her a few chances to back out....or to take the cash instead. She wouldn't even let me pay her for shipping.
Here's how the quilt looks now:
Absolutely gorgeous!!! And take a gander at this adorable, darling, perfect trim that Robyn added...
{Oh, I love it!}
So, now baby Leo has a little piece of something his Gigi made.....with a BIG dash of love from a sweet blogger we've never even met.
{Y'all....I never expected blogging to bring me to tears, but it does. What I love the most about blogging & tweeting is what I never expected.....meeting the most amazing, creative, generous souls on earth.}
Thank you SO MUCH, Robyn. {I still think you should have taken the cash.} ;)
Poppy Seed Bread
{adapted from Mary Engelbreit's Fan Fare
1 & 1/2 cups milk
3 eggs
1 & 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 & 1/2 tsp. pure almond extract
1 cup + 2 TBSP vegetable oil
2 & 1/2 cup sugar
3 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour
1 & 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 & 1/2 tsp. coarse salt
1 & 1/2 TBSP poppy seeds
Preheat oven to 350. Grease sides and bottoms of two 9x5" loaf pans.
In a large bowl on low speed, beat together the milk, eggs, vanilla, extracts and oil.
Add in the sugar, flour, baking powder and salt. Beat for 2 minutes. Stir in the poppy seeds.
Divide the batter between the two loaf pans and bake 50-60 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool in wire racks in the pans 10 minutes, then remove from pans and let cool completely.
To freeze, wrap cooled loaf in heavy-duty foil. Thaw at room temperature several hours or overnight.
That is such a sweet story! I love hearing uplifting stories of kiund and generous people :) oh, and your bread looks great!
ReplyDeleteThat is so sweet that she finished the quilt for you and that Leo now has something from Gigi. You are so blessed with wonderful friends and followers!
ReplyDeleteI love reading about the goodness in people! Congrats to your sister and your family on the new addition!
This is why I love the blogging world
ReplyDelete{wipes a tear}
That's so sweet that Robyn finished the quilt for you... It looks fabulous!
ReplyDeleteLove the poppy seed bread, too... I want to run out to the store and buy poppy seeds so I can make it ASAP!
You made me cry too. First of all because I feel little sis's exhaustion. Those are the best hardest days of your life. She's so lucky to have you. And three boys! I might have cried {not really} if Belle had been a Bill, lol.
ReplyDeleteAnd wow to Robyn...hope I spelled that right. You meet some great people blogging. What a joy!
That's seriously so sweet and wonderful, and it turned out really cute!
ReplyDeleteche invitante!!!!!!!deve essere squisito!!complimenti!
ReplyDeleteThat is an awesome story! The kindness of others is amazing sometimes.
ReplyDeleteMy sister just had her third baby last Friday! A little boy Haden, he weighed in at 7 lbs 10 ozs. He looks like a little old man, and I hope he loves the blanket I knitted for him. I think homemade gifts made with love are the best.
..you made me cry.... I'm so happy for Leo's quilt....this is a wonderful gift!!!
ReplyDeleteHugs to you, to your sister, to Leo ant to the sweetest blogger in the world....ciao Flavia
That makes me heart happy!!! Love it all!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story...and with it being in cyber script you will have it for a lifetime.
ReplyDeleteBlogging makes me cry often, but I'm a soppy kind of person.
Beautiful quilt!!
And the poppy seed bread looks amazing.
SO sweet! I'd love someone to drop food off for me when No. 2 is born in just over a month - I guess I'll have to make it myself and freeze. Can I ask what font you use on your blog (for the topics and the post title?) Everytime I check your blog I love it!
ReplyDeleteLove everything about this post!! This makes me believe there are still good people out there*smile* And god bless your sister!!! But the little munchkins are well worth it!!
ReplyDeleteNice quilt, beautifully done!
ReplyDeleteO, Bridget..Robyn did so much more than just finish the quilt. I have tears in my eyes thinking about what a gift she's give to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteGood karma all the way around.
Kudos to Robyn on a job well done and a very generous heart! I'm sure the quilt will be cherished forever.
ReplyDeleteThat is the sweetest most generous story I have heard in a while. Renews your faith in the human spirit :)
ReplyDeleteIncidentally, my cousin's daughter also calls her grandma Gigi. Do you know where this moniker came from? I hadn't heard it before then.
Oh boy....that bread looks awesome. I'm gonna try it this weekend!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness. What a write up! I love that you've included me, and still love so much I was able to finish this gift from your mom. The cookies were way worth it all! It was such a fun little project you've got me quilting again! SO thank you too!
ReplyDeleteSisters are the best thing ever. I'm one of three, and I've got three daughters too. It's one of the best bond in the world.
Love hearing about babies!!! Lots of work, but totally worth it :)
ReplyDeleteLove the bread, I just bought some more poppy seeds, now I know what to make with them thanks.
Robyn-what a sweetie! Blessings from bloggers are very touching.
Mmm, that bread looks fabulous! I have the privilege of calling Robyn a friend, and can tell you that she is just as wonderful and selfless in person. One of the most sweet genuine people I have ever met!!
ReplyDeleteI rarely blog anymore and for the most part I am a lurker, but I read every single post! Thanks for this lovely story...
ReplyDeleteI have to say I heard about it a few weeks ago. Robyn is my sister and she was SO excited to have a small hand in finishing this lovely quilt. Robyn has many gifts and one of them is a huge heart. After handling your mom's handiwork I think it grew just a bit larger!
Congratulations to all. : )
You are so thoughtful to help your new mom friend, so sorry about the loss of your mother. What a wonderful thing to have that quilt finished...must be that thing...what goes around comes around.
ReplyDeleteblessings!
Despite the loss of your Mom still a wonderfully touching story and I am sure your sister will especially treasure this gift.
ReplyDeleteI love Robyn; no big surprise that she would do something so heartfelt...there is hope when you see that kind of generosity; makes my heart happy.
My sister and I are best friends, and reading about sisterly love always brings me to tears. She does not have any children of her own, but she lavished my daughters with love and the best, most thoughtful gifts.
ReplyDeleteI have recently connected with Robyn, and it makes me happy to be able to call her my friend. Finishing the quilt your mother started was such a nice gesture:)
That, indeed, is one of the sweetest things I've heard in quite a while.
ReplyDeleteAnd in other news, I made the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes for my family Valentine's Day. They....were...awesome. :)
That is so cool! I love seeing the quilt.
ReplyDeleteAwww, how sweet about the quilt! I read your post about your mom the other day (while searching for the vanilla-almond sugar cookie recipe) and bawled my little eyes out. I lost my mom to cancer, too. How lovely that you could have someone finish the quilt!
ReplyDeleteAnd the bread looks delish and easy!!
I have 3 little boys, the youngest of which (18 months) is named Leo! You're right, busy moms of little boys definitely need some sugar. I think i'll make this one for myself.
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful, treasured quilt.
ReplyDeleteThat is so awesome about the quilt! It looks great!
ReplyDeleteI love hearing stories like this - they make my heart happy. Thanks for sharing it with us!
ReplyDeleteThis post possibly made my week. That bread looks so wonderful. I love your blog, it just makes me smile!
ReplyDeleteHow awesome is that! Makes my heart warm, thx for sharing it!! :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to all of you! I had tears too... :)
ReplyDeleteIt was very very helpful of Robyn and it's amazing how your post unfolds this beautiful virtual world story. Touched!
The quilt is 'to die for' and of course I am getting ready to bake this tempting piece of bread. Hope I bake half as well!!!
I'm not a crier, but you definitely got me working up some tears over here! what a wonderful story!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post! I love happy endings:) That quilt will be a treasure through the ages! My girls each received a baby blanket that my mom crocheted for them, but she was too sick to make one for my boy (though he did get a crocheted bear) before she died. I think I need to resurrect my twitter account for more blog love! Thanks for sharing, Bridget. Your poppy bread looks so tasty and I'm sure Robyn was thrilled with YOUR cookies:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice story! And I have to agree with you that you really do meet so many nice and talented people through blogging!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I love your blog and I cannot wait to try some of your yummy looking recipes!
What a blessing Robyn has been! We lost my mother-in-law while my kids were still small. Little things like that blanket become so important. I'm glad she was able to finish it for you.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blanket, beautiful story, and that bread looks amazing. I'd love for you to submit it to the M&T Spotlight at http://www.makeandtakes.com/spotlight
ReplyDeleteLove love love this post! I have always loved reading your blog before too but this one obviously was so incredibly touching and struck a cord with me too. Lost my mom almost 10 years ago right before I had my kids so I get everything you wrote!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing :) And keep up the wonderful baking...
I've met Robyn only through emails, tweets and blog posts, yet her beautiful and giving personality is evident and one does not have to meet in person to experience it. Her gift to you for your sister is priceless and I know that the spirit of your Mom is in every stitch.
ReplyDeleteLittle Leo will be wrapped in love that encircles mother, daughter, sister, friend.
I've been a follower of your blog for some time now. I love your cookies and your personality that comes across vis a vis your blog. I just wanted you to know that your a friend in my head. Have a great weekend. Btw, the bread looks great. Jackie
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible story. I am so profoundly sorry for the loss of your dear mother. I just cannot imagine. But that you would see to it that her work was finished just confirms what I've known about you all along... You are the most caring, sentimental person I've ever met through blog-land. I am so happy and grateful to know you!
ReplyDeleteAnd Robyn... Don't get me started! I'm at work and really can't have these tears rolling down my cheeks...
The quilt is adorable, the bread looks delicious and the baby boy is a blessing! Congratulations to you and the wonderful heartfelt connections you've made via blogging and tweeting.
ReplyDeleteHow sweet are people?
ReplyDeleteIt makes me so happy that I am still surprised by the kindness of others. I truly believe there is a lot more good in the world than people think.
The bread looks AMAZING...I haven't had breakfast yet and it looks like just the thing!!
Happy Friday, chickie!!
talk about paying it forward…what a kind, generous, wonderful & sweet being robyn must be. how fortunate that you will now have a finished quilt to treasure on oh so many levels.
ReplyDeletebtw: poppy seed bread looks awesome!
God brings angels into our life. You obviously were deserving of an angel. I actually had tears reading your post and how grateful you were. Very nice. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThat is an awesome, teary eyed story! :) She did an awesome job. I'm no seamstress, but for your cookies, I sure would have tried!!! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post! What you did for Leo is so sweet, and youa re right, I have read the most amazing stories and realized how amazing people are through reading blog posts. I find myself in tears all the time while reading what people do for others, what people have gone through, etc. The poppyseed bread sounds amazing!
ReplyDeleteGreat story about the quilt, i am so glad you gave it to Leo, he would have loved GiGi.
ReplyDeleteLove Pop
I think I forgot to leave a comment when I was here the other day! lol
ReplyDeleteThis is so awesome Bridget and what a beautiful gift for your sister's baby!!
that bread sounds AMAZING!
This was soooo good. I ate the entire loaf in 24 hours by myself! The quilt is just lovely! Thank you to Robyn and to you for such a special gift for sweet Leo!
ReplyDeleteI love that story. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt, so glad that it worked out for you. I think that cookies are a good payment, especially delicious sugar cookies.
ReplyDeleteMmm, poppyseed is the bomb! Thanks for posting the recipe.
I am due with baby number 2 July 1st so if you are in the need to bake around that time feel free to ship me some AMAZING looking bread!
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome about the quilt! What a treasure!
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful quilt! and that bread looks divine. :)
ReplyDeleteI love your blog... and your kitty!!! He's so sweet =)
ReplyDeleteYou have one more follower,
Valerie
Made this bread for some "random acts of sweetness" -- delicious! It's delicious. FYI, I used (5) 3x4" corrugated loaf pans, and my 6-mini-bundt pan. So now 11 people will get to taste this wonderful stuff. (Well, 10 -- I ate one of the mini-bundts.)
ReplyDeleteI love it! Heartwarming story for sure. And yummy bread! The one time I made poppy seed bread, I baked it too long. It was rather..um..dry.
ReplyDeletePhotos are very lovely! Loving that quilt too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a very sweet and heartwarming story. It makes me want to cry.
ReplyDeleteOh Bridget, that is so sweet. Your Mom would be so happy and I know she is smiling in heaven. Congrats to your sis!! I love that you are still using ME recipes :)!!
ReplyDeleteOh, it looks super nice. I guess the cake must be moist and soft. I seem to have no talent in baking a cake cause my cakes usually are hard...
ReplyDeleteAnyway, maybe you like to try the following recipe?
http://www.fourgreensteps.com/community/recipes/desserts-a-goodies-/chocolate-avocado-cupcakes-with-avocado-buttercream-frosting
Happy Day! You were featured! :) Love if you stopped by!
ReplyDeleteAmanda
www.todaystoptwenty.blogspot.com
Thanks for sharing, these stories are why we all love blogging! I so wish I could make a quilt like that!
ReplyDeleteAw, made me tear up Bridget.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to your sister (and you)! What a lovely, lovely thing, to have that memento from your mother, and now to have it finished the way it was - adds more sweetness to the 'quilt story'.
Thanks for sharing. xo
i love poppy seed! will definitely try this out over the weekend! looks absolutely delicious!!!
ReplyDelete