Hodgepodging Homemade White Bread

November 2, 2015 near sunset

Bill's Triangle

A Favorite

This view, which I fondly call 'Bill's Triangle,' includes a portion of our alfalfa field and Neighbor Bill's field and trees across the road.  Mr. C. can't understand, for the life of him, why I've taken so many photos of this view. 'I think you have hundreds of photos of that same view,' he said. But what he doesn't understand is that on November 2, just before sunset, it looks just the weeest bit different from all the others. Y'all get this, right? I knew you'd understand.

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1. Besides Thanksgiving, something you're looking forward to on your November calendar?

We're looking forward to our first grandchild's wedding this month. She and her fiance will be married at Landmark Center in St. Paul, a beautiful site for a wedding.

 at her bridal shower a couple weeks ago

2.  If I gave you a thank you card right now who would you send it to and why?

I would send it to our pastor and thank him for being a faithful man of God. OR
I would send it to N.T. Wright for being a faithful expositor of the Word of God. OR
I would send it to my Bible study friends for being my friends, upholding me in prayer and friendship, and just generally putting up with me. OR
I would send it to our vet for being a kind and understanding James Herriot vet. We're taking Misty, our 17 year old sweet companion who's suffering from Alzheimers, blindness, deafness, etc. in for her final visit this morning. I won't put that sweet creature through another winter of trudging through the snow, suffering constant confusion, and bumping into things. OR
If Misty could read, maybe I'd send the thank-you to her - for being such a sweet and loyal dog all these years. AND
I'd better send one to Mr. C. or he's going to wonder why everyone else but him is getting a thank you card! I wonder if he will care that he's next in line after the dog. I hope he doesn't take it personally.

Sweet Misty, November 3, 2015

Misty in happier days gone by,

the butterfly-chasing days of her youth,

playing in the alfalfa field.
I will miss this sweet girl.

3. Of the breads listed, which one's your favorite...bagel, cinnamon, sourdough, garlic, banana, biscuit, pita, Naan, or plain old fashioned white bread?


I don't eat much bread these days. But I'm looking forward to this one, and will start baking it as soon as it gets snowy and cold. It is delicious toasted with REAL Wisconsin butter melted on it. Ingredient list below.

Homemade White Bread

Fresh from the Oven

Better with Butter

Best Homemade White Bread Recipe:

Makes 4 small loaf pans (4x8, I think)

400 degrees F. for 24 minutes.

4 c. milk

6 T. butter

6 T. sugar

4 t. salt

4 pkg. dry yeast

10.5 c. flour (appx.)

I only make four loaves at a time because this amount fits in my KitchenAid mixer bowl. And that, of course, is so handy! I probably knead it with the dough hook about 5 minutes before turning it out onto slightly floured counter, kneading it a bit more by hand. Then put it into a greased bowl and cover with a light cloth. Let rise until dough has doubled in size. Punch dough down and form into loaves. Place the loaves into greased loaf pans. Let loaves rise until they are about 1/2 inch above the tops of the pans. Place in preheated 400 degree oven. Bake 24 minutes, then turn loaves out onto baking rack to cool. (The loaves should sound hollow if you tap them with your finger - at least that's what I always do). As soon as you can stand to handle it, cut a slice and get butter on it. Quick! Mmmmm.

4. What's something you have in abundance? Is that a good thing?

Books. Lots of books. And that's a very good thing.
Besides books, probably clutter. And that's not a good thing.

5. November 5th is National Love Your Red Hair Day. Are there any redheads in your family? Who's your favorite redhead?


My older brother is a redhead, or at least was more red in his younger years. And now, of course, I must say that he's my favorite redhead. :-) Second is Lucille Ball.

 See the red hair on that kid in the middle?

They were playing Monopoly.

I'm sure he was cheating. ;-)

6.  The travel website Busbud recently calculated the most Instagrammed spot in every state. Go here to see what made the list where you live. Are you happy with your state's #1? If not what do you think should be the most photographed spot in your state? Have you snapped a photo there? If you live outside the USA answer as it relates to your state, city or province.

Rockbridge

Westby

Cashton

Cashton Amish Barn Raising

a few years ago

Well, that was interesting. Perusing the state selections, it's obvious that we have an obsession with sports in this country. As far as Wisconsin's favorite Instagram spot to photograph, it's not bad, but there are really so many from which to choose. My favorite is SW Wisconsin, although you know that NW Wisconsin, where we live, isn't too shabby either. I'll have to admit that I've never been east to Door County, but I hear that it's beautiful there as well. And of course the north northwest, Lake Superior, etc. is definitely photo worthy. But a sports stadium? What a sad thing that Instagram snappers can't find anything more exciting in other states. ;-)


7. I'm going to try to have something related to gratitude in this spot each week during the month of November. Here's this week's question-

What's something you've learned about yourself this year that you're grateful for?


Hmm. Let's see:  Things I've learned about myself: Arrogance, selfishness, pride. That's for starters. The part that I'm grateful for is that I have a Savior, the Lord of the Universe, who forgives my sin and calls me a sister. If that isn't humbling, I don't know what is. And this can be found in Hebrews, chapters 2 and 3. Just read the entire book. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

 The humble birch at the end of our driveway

We ate dinner out on the porch last night. Is this really November?? I'll take as much of this weather as we can get. It's been fantastic, and I'm so grateful.

***

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