Today's Recipe

Got this recipe from my sweet mother while visiting her over the Christmas break. It was a sweet, calm, relaxing visit, and I enjoyed my parents thoroughly. I feasted on this bread every morning, since Mom had made plenty. I copied it down to enjoy at home, as well as to keep the memories of my visit in my mind. Of course, since it was me making the recipe, I changed it--as always--but I like it. See what you think!

Round Whole Wheat Loaves

3 c. all-purpose flour
3 c. whole wheat flour
2 pkgs. (or 4 1/2 tsp.) active dry yeast
3/4 c. warm water
1 c. warm milk
3/4 c. shortening
1/2 c. honey
2 tsp. salt
3 eggs
melted butter

1. In a large bowl, combine the flours; set aside. Ina large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the milk, shortening, honey, salt and eggs. Beat in half of the flour mixture until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour mixture to form a soft dough.
2. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. place in a greased bowl, turning once to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
3. Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide dough in half. Shape into round loaves. Place each loaf on a greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 35 min.
4. With a sharp knife, make a deep "x" in top of each loaf. Bake @ 375 for 30-35 min. or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks; brush w/ melted butter.

My variation: After punching dough down, separate into three equal parts, covering two while working with one. Roll each section into a flat circle and cut into 8 equally-sized wedges. Roll each into a crescent and put onto greased cookie sheet, pointed side down. Cover crescents and let raise 15-20 min. Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes or until golden. Brush with melted butter.

Today we had a fifth-Sunday combined meeting wherein we discussed the relevance of the Personal Progress and Scouting programs for the youth, as well as some of the issues they face which may keep them from achieving their potentials. I was once again reminded what a blessing it is to have the Gospel, to have others who are working with me to guide my children and help them to be spiritually and physically safe. I know that my responsibility to teach and guide them at home is paramount, and must not be left to others, but I am grateful for those who serve in their callings willingly, and who may influence my children in ways that I might not. My greatest desire is that my children will grow up in peace because they have followed the voice of the Spirit throughout their lives. I know that they must develop mastery of self in order to achieve this end--if one has no self-mastery, his agency is lost. The only thing we truly have to give to our Father is our will, and if we don't develop self-mastery, we are not capable of giving that gift to Him, and we cannot progress. My goal is to find an take more opportunities to teach my children gospel principles in every day life.