Life Update and Bread Making

It certainly has been a hot minute since I have been able to sit down and type a post to share with everyone. Life seems to be flying by so quickly that I can hardly keep up! We are coming to the end of our 3-year term in Virginia, and I couldn't be more ready to move! We hope to have our PCS timeline soon, but until we have more information, I have been putting more effort into my homemaking habits. 

    Since I began working more, I haven't been able to do as much as I would like in regard to making our apartment a home. Although I keep my home in tip-top shape, I feel like I haven't had much time to do anything special.  It is now 2024, and I want to put more effort into my home and family. I have put together a few resources from other homemakers to build my own personal homemakers' binder. It helps me to be able to write things down and keep things organized. 

    I used the "Digital Yearbook of Days" from MarmeeDear @ Co and "A Year of Homemaking Daily Companion" from Heart's Content Farmhouse. I highly recommend taking a look at these resources if you are interested in homemaking/homesteading. 

    I have found that when I am organized and efficient with my time, I am much happier and more at peace. Proverbs 31:27 says, "She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." This is a verse that I want to reflect on and also encourage my readers to reflect on as well. 

     I have also been striving to put more effort into preparing healthier and delicious meals for my family. I have been reading about the benefits of homegrown foods and homemade meals. Growing up, my sister would make fresh bread weekly. I have missed that and decided to attempt to make my own bread from here on out. This week I put my skills to the test. I found an excellent (and easy 😜) recipe for Dutch oven bread. You don't necessarily need to bake it in a Dutch oven, but I have one and wanted to test it out. 

Dutch Oven Farmer Bread

    Ingredients

2 1/4 tsp. active dry yeast (1 package)

1 TBS. sugar

2 tsp. salt

2 cups warm water

1 TBS. oil (vegetable or olive)

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

olive oil to brush on crust

Instructions

-Mix yeast, sugar, salt and warm water until well blended

-Add the oil and mix well

-Add 2 cups of flour and whisk together until well mixed

-Add remaining flour to form a soft ball

-Turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes

-Place dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a towel or cloth, and allow to

rise for about 30 minutes or until doubled in size.

-Punch the dough down and form into a loose ball shape.

-Turn out into a greased cast iron Dutch oven (or other baking pan)

-Cover and allow to rise for 45 minutes

-Brush the top of the loaf with olive oil and sprinkle with a bit of flour

-Bake at 375 degrees for about 25 minutes, or until the loaf sounds hollow when

the crust is tapped.

-Turn out onto a plate or cutting board and enjoy!

Notes

this recipe calls for baking in a cast iron Dutch oven. You can also bake it as a free-form loaf on a greased cookie sheet or in a regular greased loaf pan.

By One Ash Homestead

Oh, my goodness! I just love how it came out! 

Fresh, warm bread with butter and honey is just delicious! 

    I am delighted with how it came out and am very excited to keep making bread for my household. I am hoping to make my own butter along with the next batch of fresh bread. Not only is this much better for your family but this can also be a great housewarming gift or just a nice little something for your neighbors and friends!