Homey Things: Fresh Baked Bread

I love it when I can go outside in the crisp fall air and come back into a warm and homey smelling house.

Or just sitting and looking out the window at the crimson, fiery orange and sunburst yellow leaves blowing in the wind, while I sit, warm and comfy, cup in hand, with delicious smells coming from my kitchen.

When I have good smells coming from the kitchen, I know I have taken time to prepare something for my family. Whether it be something nutritious, comforting, or sometimes just a treat, I want my family to know I care for them and want to take care of them. I want them to know they are important to me. And I want them to have many memories of things I did that show them I care.

I think baked goods are one of the best scents there are. I have a house full of mostly boys and men, and I hear even grown men like baking scents best. I can't always spend the time it can take to bake some of the more complicated or time consuming foods.

A few Christmases ago, my brother Eric bought me a bread machine.I sort of feel like a cheater using it, knowing many of you bake your own bread, totally from scratch and make it by hand, from start to finish. You mix it and knead it and let it rise and punch it down and let it rise and form it into loaves and bake it. What a blessing for your families. I admire you. I admire that you have such a good handle on your days that you make time for it. But if Eric hadn't bought me The Machine, I'm pretty sure my family would taste home baked bread only a few times, ever.

I have found recipes for The Machine, but hadn't found one we loved that was also using whole grains. Therefore, I haven't used it much and have questioned it's value and whether or not it was worth holding onto, based on the limited space I have and my large family. But I am sentimental and it was such a thoughtful gift, especially for a young man to have chosen for his older sister.

So let me tell you, I was really happy to find this recipe for bread machine bread that is quick, healthy and easy. It turns out every time. Everysingletime. Perfect.

I am so very glad I have kept The Machine. And, when we are out of bread and it is much quicker, tastier and healthier to make it than to drive all the way to the store, I am happier still. And every time I use it I think of my brother Eric.

This bread goes great with soup. I have lots of soup recipes and am getting alot more with the soup carnival I am doing now. It is wonderful for toast. Grilled cheese has never been better. In fact, I can't think of a way I wouldn't like it.

I love it when I walk up to the bread machine and catch a glimpse in the window to see whether or not the bread has turned out. Suspense. It feels kind of like looking into some space age gadget. Almost like I should use gloves when going near it, and maybe don a spacesuit or something. If I were a good Photoshopper, I'd super impose a little green man peeking out with the bread. But I'm not. So you'll need to picture it yourself.




It doesn't take alot of work, but I sure hate to waste ingredients. Not to mention, we were probably looking forward to it and the cycle takes almost three hours! So, when I open the lid and it looks perfect, especially if the top hasn't even fallen, I gently jump for joy. But only if I am alone. If I am not alone I just say "YES!" or "YIPPEE!" under my breath.




So now the question is, do I stay with my planned dinner (a pasta dish) -- or make something that sounds extra good with the bread? (We had Clam Chowder and even Mr. Picky asked for more soup and more bread)


Honey Wheat Bread (Makes one 2 pound loaf)
Put ingredients in this order (unless your machine manual says differently)
* 1 and 1/2 Cups Warm Water
* 1 Tablespoon Oil (I substitute coconut oil)
* 1/2 Cup Honey
* 1 teaspoon Salt
* 4 Cups Whole Wheat Flour
Make a well in flour so some of warm water comes up in it.
* Add 2 teaspoons active dry yeast to well

Put The Machine on Whole Wheat setting. Select crust you prefer. Pictured above is medium. Start and go about your day and, in a couple hours, you will begin to catch a whiff of bread baking -- IN YOUR KITCHEN! Then go find a soup recipe and sit down for a fallish family dinner.




Wishing for you warm and homey smells, wafting through your home,