I made some bread last week that I found was very popular with my family. It was so soft, and yet held up to being sliced well with our electric knife.
This recipe is from the all recipes website (www.allrecipes.com). It is called Amish White Bread. I made one difference in it, I used half white bread flour, and half wheat bread flour. Here is a picture, and the recipe.
Amish White Bread Recipe
Ingredients:
2 Cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2/3 Cup white sugar (I used organic)
1 1/2 Tablespoons active dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 Cup vegetable oil
6 Cups bread flour (I used 3 cups white and 3 cups whole wheat)
Directions
Step 1
In a large bowl, sissolve the sugar in warm water, and then stir in yeat. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam.
Step 2
Mis salt and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Place in a will oiled boul, and turn dough to coat. cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise unil doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
( To have a warm place for the bread to rise, I heat my oven for two minutes, then turn it off, and place dough to rise in it.)
Step 3
Punch dough down. Knead for a few minutes, and divide in half. Shape into loaves, and place into two well oiled 9×5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until the dough has risen 1 inch above pans. (my rise time was 50 minutes to have rising 1 inch above pans. Your time may be different)
Step 4
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes.
Here is a picture of them risen in the loaf pans.
MORE WILDLIFE
Last spring some Scrub Jays decided our yard was a good place to come. I finally got a picture of one of them. It works hard at trying to pick up two peanuts at the same time, before it goes to wherever. The Scrub Jays are not native to the Pacific Northwest, they have migrated up from California. Global warming has them expanding their area.
We had a snow storm recently, And we made sure to have food out for our furry and featherd friends.
I also made sure to put out lots of fresh nectar for the hummingbirds. You use four cups water to 1 cup sugar, I use organic sugar. Heat the water to a boil, turn off the pan, and disolve the sugar in the water. I put any left over in a covered jar in the refrigerator, and lable it with the date.
Valentines Day
My husband was sweet, and didn’t buy me sweets for valentines, as I am on a low carb, low sugar diet so I can loose a few pounds. So he brought home a vase of roses for me.
Yarn Crafts
Last writing I showed you a sweater I started on for my husband. Since then I have finished the trunk, and am starting on a sleeve. I am finding this pattern fairly easy to follow. My husband looked on Ravelry, but didn’t find something he liked. I found this pattern through Lovecrafts online.
I was signed up for Paradise Fibers fiber of the month club for spinning by my husband. This is from February’s box. This is the first time I have been able to spin a lace weight yarn consistently.
More about the snowstorm
We ended up having a snowstorm this month. I live about 45 minutes from my work, so they put me up in a nearby hotel, and I worked an extra night. Here is a picture of the hotel I stayed at. Didn’t go in the pool!
My granddaughter and I took advantage of the time we had off, and made a snowman. She also loved to throw snowballs at me!
That’s all for now!
Blessings,
Grandma
Grandma's Garden 