I made Bread.
It's simple really.  I got what I needed and made bread.   It looks a little weird and I was on the verge of getting kinda upset with it.  You know the feeling.  Something that you worked on, something that you kinda need, something that you gave a crap about... it might not be the way you wanted it to be.  Just a little, tiny bit of panic sets in... and depression.  Yup, there's a little glimpse into my inner torment.  I've been here before, something in my knows that I can deal with this set back.  I gotta step back, take a deep breath and decide what my next move is.


Breathing.  Slowly.  Thinking.


Then I sliced it.
It looked fine.  The crumb looked fine.
So then I tasted it.  It tasted fine too.  My personal crisis was averted.  This is a good thing because there are so many other things that are important too, that need attention in the world.
So, the moral of this story is... don't sweat the small stuff that you really can't do anything about... well it's kinda the moral.  Maybe the moral is... don't judge a book by it's cover, give it a chance.  Hmmm, maybe the moral is just follow the damn recipe better and don't mess with it, Wanda.
I'll leave you to choose which moral you like best.
Thing is I've moved on because I gotta get my act in gear and get some jam hapnin' round here.  I'm off to get some blackberries (fingers crossed) and I've got some lovely raspberries waiting in the freezer.   It's pretty much totally peach season and so that's next on my list.  Oh yeah... and did I hear someone say 'Ripe Tomatoes'.  I was just talking to my Mom-in-law and it looks likes I have a 'small' (read: probably only slightly under 30 people at the end of the day) BBQ to host while my cousin/sister-from-another-mother is here in two weeks.
Yeah, I know it's two whole weeks.  But I got a garden that's been needing some attention while I've been off making birthday cakes and bread.  And I've got a menu to plan.  

Breathing.  Slowly.  Toasting.  Bread.  Butter.  Jam.  Yum.


Honey Whole Wheat Bread
adapted from 'More with Less'
makes 2 loaves

Combine:
1 1/2 cups lukewarm water
1 1/2 tbsp sugar
2 pkg active dry yeast

Set aside for 10 minutes to get foamy and double in size.
Meanwhile:

In one bowl combine
3 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup skim milk powder
1 tbsp salt

In another bowl combine
4 cups all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour

In a saucepan add
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup honey
2 tbsp oil
... and heat just to lukewarm

Once the yeast mixture is done and is all foamy and awesome then add it to the bowl of whole wheat flour/skim milk powder.  Mix well
Add in the warmed water and honey.  Mix well.
Add the rest of the flour.  Mix as best as you can.
Knead for about five minutes using more all purpose flour as needed.  The dough should be smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a greased bowl.  Cover with a clean cloth and let it rise until doubled (about an hour but might need a little extra)
Divide the dough in half.  Shape each half into a loaf pan.  Butter the top of each loaf, cover with a clean cloth and let it rise for about 45 minutes.  The dough should have doubled (or so) and look like a bread loaf shape in the pan.
Heat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Bake for about 40 minutes.
Cool for a bit in the pan before removing.