Bun in the Oven

Heh Heh Heh. Couldn't help it. I baked bread today, so I just HAD to. Forgive my pun.

This bread? Seriously. BEST BREAD EVER. We have actually stopped buying bread I make it so often. You can slice it thin enough that it is SUPER for sandwiches too. We just love the flavor of it. And less preservatives are always nice.


Quick French Bread

1 pkg (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp butter, melted
4 to 5 cups flour (I use all purpose, but you could use other flour)
melted butter for brushing on the top

Dissolve or proof yeast in 1/2 cup of lukewarm (105-115F) water and set aside. In a large bowl, stir together 1 cup warm water with sugar and salt. Add the yeast mixture and the melted butter, and stir until blended. Beat in the flour, one cup at a time, to form a soft dough. Turn the dough out onto a floured board and knead for 1 minute. let the dough rest for 10 minutes. Knead again (1 min) and let rest again for 10 minutes more. Divide the dough in half and use your hands to gently shape each half into an 8x12 inch rectangle. Starting at the long end, roll up tightly. Place the dough seam side down on an ungreased baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, slash the top every two inches, cover, and let rise until doubled in size. Preheat oven to 400F. Bake for 30 - 40 minutes or until the bread sounds hollow when tapped. Place on racks to cool and brush the tops with melted butter.

Makes two loaves, and it really does sound hollow! The recipe is from the Farmer's Almanac Cookbook.

If you try it, Let me know what you think!

S.

Sometimes I just need to get my head on straight...

...Then I'll be able to figure these things out more quickly. We have discovered that we follow the attachment parenting plan. I had no idea what it was, I saw a message board about it. So I looked it up. Apparently, we have been following the b's for the past three months. So I feel kind of dumb. At the same time, it is nice to have that as an argument point for my mom, who feels that I'm trying to kill my daughter by co-sleeping part of the time. Yes, I was raised differently. But everybody, no matter what parenting plan they follow, has a different style. It takes all types, right? So YES, I will still bring Brianna to bed with me after she wakes up in the morning. I want her to feel comfortable in our bed, so that if she ever has nightmares she can come in and cuddle with us without her feeling bad about it. I want her to be able to count on us, and KNOW that we are there for her, whatever she needs. Who knows? Maybe she will turn into a little terror anyway.

As a side note, we may be in the beginning stages of teething! The extra drool, the red cheeks...biting everything she can get in her little mouth. Including Sean's finger for about 10 minutes straight the other day. His finger was sore for a good hour after that one. Heh Heh Heh.

There goes my happy baby. Here comes the biting terror! Gotta find the teething ring...

S.

Nighttime!

Or not. Technically I suppose it is now morning. Lately, I have gotten my days and nights all turned around! I have a terrible cold right now, and hence cannot sleep. If I do try and go to bed now, I will just end up tossing and turning, and waking up my husband, Sean. He has to work at 7am tomorrow, so not a great idea. Since I am up, I will say a little something about me!

My name is Stacy Evans, and I`m currently the stay at home mom of the most gorgeous little girl ever to grace the face of the planet. At least I think so! She is 3 months old today, and can now hold her wobbly little neck up really well! Her name is Brianna, and she has the hugest little thunder thighs! It`s kind of confusing, really. How such little legs can be so HUGE!

My husband, as I`ve already told you, is Sean. He is a butcher, in fact he is the assistant manager of his department. He is a wonderful man who helps me out as much as possible with our little one. We believe parenting together works much better for making a family. Picture of our wee family above, I`m sure you can guess who we all are!

Whenever Brianna is napping during the day I try to bake, I`ve currently been into baking bread! So sometimes I guess there will be recipes on here, as well as mom and life stuff. Hope everyone enjoys, and If you have questions feel free to contact me!

S.