HEALTH CRUNCH BREAD!

 

A few weeks ago, I made a new bread recipe, I recorded a video on it as well, which I will link below if you are interested in watching it.

I thought it would be a good time to share a recipe with you ( it's been awhile) and this one is so good that it was my first choice.

If you are not into bread making, this is a nice easy recipe, although when I made the recipe on video, I discovered there was a few things left out in the original recipe that came from a 1980's cookbook that I often use.

So here it is Health Crunch Bread... with corrections included!

Health Crunch Bread - Makes 4 loaves

2 c. milk (scalded)

1/2 c. lard ( I used shortening)

1 c. lukewarm water

1/2 c. brown sugar

2 tbsp. salt

2 tbsp. yeast

1/4 c. molasses

3/4 c. oatmeal

1 c. wheat germ or crushed flax seed ( I used flax seed)

3 c. whole wheat flour (+) 4-5 cups more ( will explain below)

1/2 c. sesame seed( Opt.)  ( I included it)

Dissolve yeast in 1 cup of the lukewarm water with 1 tbsp of sugar added, set aside until yeast has risen. 

In a large mixing bowl, combine oatmeal, 3 cups of whole wheat flour, wheat germ and sesame seed.  mix in salt, and brown sugar.  Cut in the 1/2 c lard or shortening into flour mixture. 

In another bowl, mix milk, the remaining cup of water, molasses and yeast mixture.  Make a well into the flour mixture and pour liquid ingredients in.  

Mix well.

Gradually add the additional 4-5 cups of whole wheat flour and mix until dough can be kneaded until it no longer sticks to your hands.

Cover and let rise until double in bulk, punch down and let rise again.

Shape into loaves ( makes 4) and let rise 1 hour more.

Bake in a heated oven at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

...

I hope  you give this special bread a try.  It is deliciou!

Here is the video I made of me making the bread for the first time.  If I seem a bit confused, its because the original recipe omitted the additional whole wheat flour.  It's a very good thing that I am a seasoned bread maker, or I would have completely wasted a bunch of ingredients.

https://youtu.be/WWxg6USXCjQ

Why are there no Male Angels?

For years I have been making angels from all kinds of mediums.  Here are a few that I have made over the years - some of you will recognize some of these from years ago.

Nothing all that spectacular about any of these creations, but notice that they are all female!  Well mostly all - the one with the little boy and girl, happened because I altered the girl pattern to be a boy.

Every Angel I have seen in photos, in sculpture, handmade or purchased, has been in the female form.

Why is that?

Can't a male be an Angel?

Funny thing is, if we go to the source of where the Angels are first mentioned, and pretty much where we understand the Angels to have actually existed ( The Bible) - Angels are male, not female.  

The Angel Gabriel, is well know because of Christmas songs about him - he was the one who was the messenger about the birth of the Christ Child. Then there is Michael the Archangel, he is reported to be a most powerful Angel who battles Satan and casts Satan out of Heaven - forever!

Nowhere in the Bible is there mention of a female Angel.

So how come the images, reproductions, patterns etc of Angels we humans see, are all of female Angels?

 Why does this bother me?

Well because as a human, I have my own idea as what constitutes an Angel.  For instance - no  one will dissuade me from the notion, that the surgeons and physicians who cared and cured me of cancer, not once but twice, were indeed Angels here on earth. 

 Incidentally - all were male.

When I look at a sleeping male infant - to me that child is just as much an Angel as a female infant.

There have been so many times as a maker,  that I have balked at the presence of patterns for female angels and longed for the pattern to also contain the male counterpart.

It happened again recently.

I really like a little cross-stitch Angel ornament, which I have made several times.  Here is the very first one I did, I  kept her for myself.  She is Joyful Judy, designed by Diane Arthurs - the pattern can be found in the 2001 Edition Christmas Ornaments Just Cross Stitch 2001 Special Issue.

I decided to make a senior version of this Angel...

And the moment I finished her, I knew I wanted to make a Male Senior Angel to go with her.

So, I have started to design one of my own.  I have used the basic outline of Joyful Judy, but completely changed the rest, and I am currently stitching him .  I can't wait to get him finished and show you my creation.  

SO, what do you think?  We should have more Male Angels?

Yes?

I knew you would agree!

Till Next Time!

Returning to Stay!

 I have been thinking about my blogging days of past, remembering how I looked forward to writing my thoughts, sharing my makes, telling stories - all those things, and I wondered why I stopped!

Well I know why I stopped, because I started Vlogging instead.  As nice as that activity is - after all this time away, I have decided that I still love this platform best.

So although I will continue to Vlog,  I am returning to what I love best - writing and sharing!  If this past year taught me anything, it has reminded me that time is moving on, the future is promised to no one, and if we plan to do something  - then now is the time to do it  - especially at my age.

I am working on my "Return Post".  And I'm starting off with a question that has plaqued me for years.  

In the meantime - I have been keeping busy as usual - crafting, gardening, cooking, baking, and enjoying country life.  I have started on my Christmas knitting and making, with the hopes that this year I won't be rushing to finish things at the last minute.

Return Post coming tomorrow!

Till then, stay well every one!

Dale