HAPPY EASTER!!

Country Bread Baking Day

I've started making my own bread every Friday.  I played around with several recipes until I found the right balance and it hasn't failed me yet.  Compared to "store bought" bread, homemade is the way to go!  The crust is nice and soft and the bread holds it's shape, making it perfect for sandwiches (use it for a grilled cheese; you won't be disappointed!). 

Ingredients

2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast.  If you are using bulk yeast, 4 1/2 tsps.

2 cups warm water (110° to 115°)
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 canola oil (I also use vegetable oil)

6 1/2 to 7 cups unbleached all purpose flour

Directions

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water.  Allow the yeast to "work" for about 5 minutes. 

In a large bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer (with dough hook attached) add sugar, salt, eggs, oil and 3 cups of flour.  Beat until smooth.  Continue adding flour to form a soft dough.

If using a standmixer with a hook attachment, mix on setting "2" for about 5 minutes, then turn onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic.  If kneading by hand, knead approximately 6 to 8 minutes.  Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top.  Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

Punch dough down.  Divide in half and shape into loaves.  Place in two greased 9" x 5" loaf pans.  Cover and let rise again until doubled in size.

Bake at 375° for 25-30 minutes or until golden grown.  Yield 2 loaves

Busy Weekend!!

I finished my "scrap yard" green house and I must say I am very pleased with how it turned out.  I used several old windows and some scrap pallet wood I had saved for projects.  I did have to purchase the clear sheeting for the roof and some treated posts and 2x4s but all together it cost less than $200.  It's not that large, but perfect for what I need to use it for.  Already have trays full of seeds and I'm anxiously waiting to see how quickly they sprout.

The square foot garden project is well underway and I already have a nice stand of English Peas.  I have a panel ready to install for them to climb.  I used the "Mel's Mix" recommendation for the soil and it sure better make as that crap ain't cheap! 

I took a couple of hours to plant a bed around an oak tree that was only about 5 foot tall two years ago when I started building my house.  Still have to mulch the flowers but I was pleased with the way it turned out.  Still need to get the grass to grow and I may seed it one more time, but we have such sandy soil here it's difficult to get "good" grass to grow.

Road to Serenity

The road down to my farm house.  I love this view.  No matter how stressful the day has been, the moment I turn onto this road, the stress of the day melts away.  Sitting on the back porch with a big glass of sweet tea watching the deer sneaking through the woods.

Favorite Dill Pickle Recipe

This is one of my favorite pickle recipes.  As with any canning, please insure your jars and lids are well sanitized before you start.

Brine
1 quart white vinegar
3 quarts water
1 cup of pickling salt

Bring to boil and stir until all salt is dissolved

Place cucumbers in quart jars (I use wide mouth jars because they are easier to pack)

To each jar, add the following:
1/8 tsp alum
1/8 tsp crushed red pepper
1/8 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp dill seed
**I like my pickles spicier, so I double the amounts above**

Pour liquid in jars, leaving 1" head space, place lids on jars and water bath for 5 to 10 minutes.

Note:  I have found that soaking the cucumbers in ice water for at least two hours before pickling helps the pickles to be more crunchy and not mushy.

Back to the Basics

At the age of 48 I became a widow.  After 30 years of marriage, I lost my best friend, my partner and the one person in the world that knew everything there was to know about me and loved me anyway.  Sometimes, finding yourself at a crossroad you thought was miles ahead has a way of knocking you to your knees, no matter how strong you may be.

This is my journey of my simpler life—I like the sound of that.