Glorious Bread

Avoid those who don’t like bread and children. – Swiss Proverb

A good crusty loaf of homemade bread is like a magical force. Steamy and succulent when it first comes out of the oven, and when I make that first slice - It's really difficult not to eat half the loaf right then and there. 

Bread isn't that difficult to make once you get it figured out. Yes, it takes a bit more time to make it homemade than driving to the store and buying a loaf or two; but why buy it when homemade tastes SO GOOD?

With a piece of bread in your hand you’ll find paradise under a pine tree. – Russian Proverb

I experimented with several different recipes for about a month before I found just the perfect recipe. One day last summer I was at the library and I stumbled on the Back In The Day Bakery Cookbook by Cheryl Day. EUREKA! Her honey loaf bread recipe was super easy and it NEVER fails me! Sometimes I will add about 1 cup of whole wheat flour to the all purpose flour (too much more whole wheat and it gets really dense). It's super easy to throw together and has very little hands-on time. 

I really don't mind the hands-on kneading, but when I've got other things to do, I'm more than happy to let my Kitchenaid do the work for me! This baby was a Christmas gift last year - after the death of my old girl. I had a small stand mixer that was about 8 years old... she groaned and shimmied when it was bread-kneading time. 

Rather a piece of bread with a happy heart than wealth with grief. – Egyptian Proverb

I don't know why the gorgeous weather today made me want to bake. I'm actually considering baking some cookies too! I've got all the windows open and the breeze is filling the house with smells of early summer. Soon the scent of homemade bread will be floating out the windows - filling the yard with the smells of love baked in the oven.

I really need to be working, but I think I'll make a cup of tea and cut into one of the loaves as soon as it's cool enough.