Clearing the Air

Hi all,

 

I know some of you have had Summer for a while, but it’s just really rearing its head around here. That prompted me to start thinking about the air conditioner and that got me on to the filters.  We got the wash and reuse type so now the time has come to open up those tiny little airways by giving them a good washing!  After the work will come the satisfaction of knowing the recycled air I breath will be clean and I will be comfortable, which is very important to me   It is also a good idea to make sure all the connections in your air conditioner are free of bugs and dust  Well off the the wash area! Maybe the dog would like a bath, too????

 

Enjoy!    

 

 

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Birds

Hi all,

 

Last year we had cardinals nest in our holly bush outside the front door.  This year a pair of brown thrashers took over the bush.  Here are some  pictures of the little ones from egg to empty nest.  It took mom around four days to lay the eggs and then after hatching the chicks were out and gone in about 9 nine days.  It was a bit tricky getting photos because we did not want to freak the parents out.  Isn’t nature something?

 

Enjoy! 

 

 

 

     

      

   

     

 This is one of the adults.  Its iris is yellow, the chicks start out with brown/black eyes.

Shall We Toast??

Hi all,

 

This recipe came by way of my sister. It’s one of her go to breads and everyone she gives it to seems to be very happy with the final product. A no knead batter type that goes together pretty quickly. You may want to play around with the flour amount after you make the first batch, some like their bred a little firmer, but that is a personal thing.  This is good plain or buttered, but it is really good toasted!  Hope you like this yummy offering

 

English Muffin Bread

Makes 2 Loaves

 

4 to 5 cups flour

2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 C warm water 90 to 110 degrees

1 Tbsp honey

2 Tbsp dry yeast

2 1/4 C warm milk

 

Spray two loaf pans and dust with cornmeal.

Stir 4 cups of flour, salt and baking powder together in bowl.  In mixing bowl combine water, honey and yeast. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes, until it starts to bubble.  Add on cup of flour mix and milk to mixing bowl and blend well on low setting. Put in remaining flour and stir until moistened.  If the batter is soupy add another  1/2 to 1 cup of flour stir then beat one minute on setting one step up from stir on your mixer.  The batter should be goopy, not runny.  Scoop into loaf pans and set aside in warm spot to rise.  About 25 to 30 minutes.  Loaves should be at top of pan when ready.  Bake 15 to 20 minutes at 425 degrees.  They should sound hollow when tapped. Longer if you want a darker crust.  Store in Fridge or freeze.

 

Watch the loaves closely, as they rise at different rates depending on the weather.  My oven takes about 15 minutes to get up to temp at 425, so I try to gauge how long the loaves will take to raise and start the oven about when I think there are only 15 to 20 minutes left before they need to go in.  If you wait too long the batter may start to deflate.  Also, if it looks like they are browning too fast, tent with foil for last part of baking time.  I try to have the internal temperature read about 195 to 200 degrees.  I also use a scale to weigh filled pans to get even sizing of finished loaves.

 

Have fun and I hope you like this bread as much as we do!!

 

Enjoy!