Hi friends-

We recently found out that we have to move. I was so upset. We had worked very hard on the house and garden and all. There is a house that we are hoping we can get that would be perfect for our family. Please pray for us during this time of stress. I know that the Lord has a plan for us and if it's not meant for us than so be it, but we could really use prayers for this situation. Thank you so much.

Louann and family

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I tried to post this in http://www.homesteadblogger.com/homesteadnpink/ Amanda's comments but I could not get the verification code to download, hmmm? But I thought I'd put it here too. It's the best plain ol' white bread recipe I've had.

Hi! Here's the bread recipe I use and it is really soft and good!

9 cups of flour
1/4 cup of sugar + 1 teaspoon
4 teaspoons salt
4 1/2 teaspoons yeast (or 2 packages~not rapid rise)
2 cups of milk
1/4 cup of butter (melted)
1/4 cup of warm water ( not too hot)
First you will need a pretty big bowl (I use a big glass pyrex bowl). I measure the flour and put about half of the flour in the bowl to start with. I set that aside and warm 2 cups of milk in the microwave. I don't scald it but I do get it warm so that the yeast will be nice and active. I set that aside. I then warm 1/4 cup of water and add my yeast and 1 teaspoon of sugar to it. stir it up and let it start growing and get foamy(be sure to use a big enough bowl or cup that it won't over flow at least a 16 ouncer).Meanwhile add your sugar and salt to your warm milk, stir. Melt your butter in a small dish in the microwave. Now take your big bowl with half the flour in it and add your milk mix and yeast. Mix this up and then add your butter and continue to add the rest of your flour. If this gets too thick and dry add some water. You want the dough to be moist  but not sticky. Now dust your countertop with flour and put your dough onto it and begin to knead it,push into it with the heels of your palms away from you once,fold the top of it over on itself and then turn it 1/4 of a turn and push into it again, fold, turn, push fold, turn. You will probably find what works best for you. You will knead it for 10 - 15 minutes to really work the gluten in it. You want a smooth, elasticy dough ball. Next wash your big bowl, oil it and put your dough ball into it and turn over so that it is coated with oil. This will keep a dry skin from forming on it. Cover it with cellophane and a kitchen towel and put it in a draft free place to rise for 1 1/2 - 2 hours. I use my oven ( that has not been heated yet). After the first rise it should be about double in size or more. Then puch a hole in the center and turn all the sides in on it. Then cover and let it rise for another hour. Then punch it down, cut it into 3 equal pieces and form into balls. Let them rest for 10 minutes. Then form them into loaves, put them in your GREASED loaf pans and let them rise until double about another hour. I use my oven for this also but before I put them in this time I set my oven for 400 for exactly 1 minute and then turn it off. put the loaves in to "proof". Then after about an hour pull them out. Preheat your oven to 400 and bake for about 30 minutes. Immedietly put them on a cooling rack and let them cool then store them how your prefer. Tha's it. Here are some things I have learned about bread making, the moister(but not wet) the dough the better the bread. I use milk now because I used to use all water and the bread was okay but milk makes a nicer, softer bread. I add my yeast to the flour before adding the fat because the fat can coat the yeast and it doesn't rise as well. If they start to get too brown on top turn the oven down a little. I bake on the second to bottom rack. If you have any questions I'd be glad to help. The dough may seem lumpy and not so nice at first but the more you knead it the smoother it gets. Enjoy baking!

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I don't remeber how to do some of the things I did to my blog before. Can anyone tell me how to align or center my picture up top? And How do I center the avatar/about me pic? I forgot how to do it. I was looking at the template for codes and can't seem to find one that works. I would appreciate any one who can help me. Also how do you use a font other than the ones provided? I found one on a font website but I don't know how to use it here. Please help. Thank you so so so much!

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Hi to all my friends at HSB. I am truly sorry I left without any notice. I was spending so much time here and I had to get away for a while. I am sorry to leave my friends hanging with the BOM quilting group. I recieved all of your messages and appreciate them very much. I was nervous to come back after I had left so abruptly. I have decided to come back because I do enjoy it here. I have missed reading everyone's blogs and learning so much. I hope to be on here more often and talk with you all soon.

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