The past two days I have been making bread in my bread machine.  And a few other things (homemade granola, Dutch apple pie, cookies), assisted by my husband and children.  In fact, as I speak, our 10 y.o. is trying his hand at making a batch of my Simply Wonderful Chocolate Chip cookies!  I read off the ingredients, and he's doing the work.  My mouth is watering already ... must be near time to "test" the dough!

But back to the bread.  I have owned a bread machine for a long time and used it only occasionally, because the recipes included with it made, at best, a mediocre loaf.  Edible, of course, but just not the kind that makes you go, "Umm, gotta make that more often!"  But now that's just what the rest of my family and I are thinking, thanks to a great new recipe! 

This is the first GOOD loaf from my bread machine ... probably EVER!  So I'm back on the bread making wagon, especially with the price of bread in the stores these days!  I was so excited, I also made a loaf of FRENCH bread in the machine!  Yes, I said French bread.  It didn't taste *exactly* like a loaf of store-bought French bread, but I actually think it was better.  It had the crispy outer crust and the chewy insides ... well, long story short, it didn't last the evening.  We all loved it!  So I will definitely be making these recipes again and again and again.  Oh, before I forget, I found them at the wonderful Hillbillyhousewife website!  What a great resource!