To continue our theme

Remember this is day 2 of the bread starter. Stir with a wooden spoon!

I will post this again near the end of the ten days, but here is the bread recipe for the finished starter.

To make the bread from starter:
Ingredients:1 cup starter
1 cup oil
2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup milk
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
3 eggs
3 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Procedure:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients and mix well. Pour into 2 well greased and sugared loaf pans. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until done. Cool 20 minutes before removing from pans.

Amish Friendship Bread Variation I
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1(6-serving size) package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup starter
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup milk
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Procedure:
Whisk together in a medium bowl the flour, pudding mix, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda; set aside. In large mixing bowl combine remaining ingredients, mixing well. Stir in the flour mixture, mixing only until just combined; do not over mix. Pour into two 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pans. Bake at 350*F (175*C) for 50 to 60 minutes. For more variations, add your favorite dried fruits, nuts and/or chocolate chips. Also experiment using different flavor pudding mixes. Makes 2 loaves

Personally, as much as I LOVE baking, and cooking, I am glad this is not the "bake" day for the bread. It is hot here, and it makes one wonder how Victorian ladies got along in those layers and layers of clothing! I love the Victorian era for all it's splendor and elegance, but I do not envy their living conditions at times. It is wonderful, though, is it not, to take a few moments out of our day and relive this wonderous time.

The bear ghan head is complete. I will be adding the "body" to it now. Tomorrow, I plan a trip to Joanns to stock back up on thread and yarn.
Until tomorrow...

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The week of June 11-17 (Sharing/Love/Friendship)

These are going to be my main focus points this week. I will continue to work on Loveyah's Bear ghan, and also be making a starter for some Amish Friendship bread. These will fit nicely into the theme for this week. Sharing/Love and Friendship.

The link again for the bear ghan is

http://www.geocities.com/cdjsimon/bearghan.html

Here is my recipe for the starter bread and the instructions...

Ingredients for Starter:
1 package active dry yeast
1 cup cup milk
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar

Procedure to make Starter:
Note: DO NOT use metal bowls or spoons and DO NOT refrigerate. Dissolve yeast in small amount of warm water. Mix all ingredients together in an ample sized bowl or jar (it WILL grow). This is Day 1 of the starter.
Day 1: The day you receive the starter - Do nothing.
Day 2, 3, 4: Stir with wooden spoon.
Day 5: Add 1 cup each - flour, sugar, milk. Stir.
Day 6, 7, 8: Stir with wooden spoon.
Day 9: Do nothing.
Day 10: Add 1 cup each - flour, sugar, milk. Stir. Pour into 3 containers (1 cup each). Give 2 containers to friends along with this recipe. Keep 1 cup for yourself.

Note:
When giving starter away, only half fill the container and provide for some ventilation (ie. small hole in top of jar). The starter does expand and unless the gases caused by the fermenting process are allowed to escape, they will build up and could cause the lid of the container to pop off. Store the remaining starter in a container in the refrigerator and begin the 10 day process over again when ready. You can also freeze this starter in 1 cup measures for later use. Frozen starter will take at least 3 hours at room temperature to thaw before using.

I will share the recipe for How to prepare the bread from the starter (and a variation) in my blog tomorrow.

Loveyah's bear ghan head is almost done. I think I may have to block it...it seems a bit twirly to me, but we'll see how it finishes up. The eyes, nose and muzzle are ready to be placed.

My thanks to all of the ladies in the groups in which I belong! They have such interesting projects and great attitudes! My favorite groups so far are:

http://groups.msn.com/MMCrochetCorner

and

http://groups.msn.com/CrochetMamas

Stop by if you get the chance. The links are also on my blog-roll.

Have a wonderful week!

Good Ole Days...

I've decided to try to make this page a trip back to the Good Old Days. I will feature some old recipies, (and some new) along with crochet blogs. I will feature a recipe or recipe feature along with a crochet project.
I should have everything ready to get started tomorrow.