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Tuesday, September 11, 2012

I think I CAN live by bread alone....

 Hi, ya'll
Well, I made BREAD this last weekend.
Now, I would LIKE to say that I "made it from scratch"
but the GEORGE WASHINGTON in me won't let me tell you a little white lie...
and the SANDRA LEE in me loves SEMI HOMEMADE too much to spend a lot of
time trying to make something that just might be a TOTAL FLOP....
That's right...
this beautiful loaf of bread is RHOADES FROZEN BREAD,
after letting it rise for 7 hours
and I love it so much, I want to marry it.
It comes out PERFECT every single, solitary time.

I HAVE made bread from scratch and
I probably MIGHT make it again sometime.....MAYBE.

On second thought, after having a slice of THIS semi-homemade bread, toasted and buttered for breakfast, I've decided I'll NEVER try making homemade from scratch again. :))

 STRAWBERRY FREEZER JAM
is just downright GOOD FOR THE SOUL.

I opened my NEXT TO THE LAST jar of jam
and, O HONEY.....it was so good with that fresh bread.

I use the recipe on the FREEZER JAM package, found in the canning section
of your grocery store.
The FREEZER PROOF little jars are right there, too.
Now, here is something that would make awesome little Christmas gifts
to family, friends and neighbors.....and the postman.

From COUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE
for these little MINI BREAD LOAVES

and for the
HOMEMADE BUTTER
(homemade butter.....SHUT THE FRONT DOOR !!!
Directions
  1. In a blender on medium speed, mix heavy cream and coarse salt until grainy milk curds begin to form, 8 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, set aside ice water.
  2. Pour milk curds through a strainer (discard liquid) and transfer to a chilled bowl. Pour 1/2 cup ice water over curds and, using a rubber spatula, press out any residual liquid, or whey. Drain water when it gets cloudy, then add more water (1/2 cup at a time), press out liquid, and drain. Repeat 1 or 2 times more until water stays clear.
  3. Now you have butter. Divide it into four 3-ounce domed glass dishes (see image) or roll into logs and wrap in parchment paper; refrigerate.
When I was 14, we moved from West Texas to Arkansas for a SHORT time.
My daddy wanted a small farm and he bought one there in SPRINGDALE.
We had one cow....I don't remember what kind, but she gave a LOT of milk.
Mother would churn it and we had homemade butter that was flat 
OUT OF THIS WORLD.
I can close my eyes and STILL taste it, even after all these years.

Our time was short in Arkansas...
I was about to start my Freshman year in high school and was devastated that
I wouldn't be going with all the friends I'd had since elementary school.
A long story short, after a few months, Dad found a buyer for the small farm 
(that was just about to run out of water as the well was going dry...being the reason, I'm sure, that he bought the place for such a cheap price)
and we moved back to Plainview, Tx., where I was raised AND I graduated with my friends.
THE END
♫♪♫...nothin' says lovin'
like somethin' from the oven.......♪♪♫

*I will remember 9/11/01 always and cry tears of sorrow for all that we lost.

34 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

fresh baked bread, butter and jam. now you're singing my tune. :) i survive/thrive on french bread from the grocery store - at least it is in-store baked. :)

NanaDiana said...

I have never tried that bread, bj. It does look good...but it took SEVEN HOURS to rise? I was born/raised on a farm and we made our own butter, too. Nothing in the world like it, is there? Blessings- and have a wonderful night- xo Diana

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Toast a piece of yummy bread and think of me while you it it....cuz, there is not much better than good toast and strawberry jam!

Ann from On Sutton Place said...

My family loves this bread. My mom isn't well and my dad has taken over their cooking. He makes this just about every week! I haven't made freezer jam in years and years.

Love Of Quilts said...

I remember the making of butter and buttermilk...at mama dolly's house last time was when I was 12 years old.

Lynn said...

I can remember using Rhoades to make sticky buns years ago, mighty fine indeed:@)

Vee said...

Sure looks yummy...

Leslie said...

Ummmn... I could live off of that too!!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Oh I love home baked bread and semi-homemade is my kinda cooking! Hugs, Linda

LV said...

I can smell it now. Bread is my downfall. I could eat it all the time. In fact, I do not buy it anymore for that reason. However I would never turn down a big hot roll or a slice of yours. My daughter-in-law found some kind of rolls she lets rise and they taste almost homemade.

Kathleen Grace said...

Mmmm, give me fresh hot bread and I think I COULD live on bread alone (and a little butter)! Right now I'm trying not to eat anything but low carb bread. Gah! It will do...just barely. My grandmother always made her own butter too, it is the best!

French Charmed ~ Chelle said...

Ok, my mouth is watering now. And the homemade butter idea? You just went over the top! Thanks for sharing. :)

Madeline's Album said...

You out did yourself again. Everything looks so good. Have a blessed evening. Madeline

Gina said...

That bread & jam look so delicious! I can't even begin to think of homemade butter...oh my goodness, that must be divine.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh I could definitely live on bread. Yours looks wonderful. Hugs, Marty

Beth said...

fresh baked bread, looks wonderful. I love the Rhodes rolls too.

amy @ Life in Pink Hi-Tops said...

Your bread looks delicious. I think I can smell it baking from here. I have been wishing we had a cow. The price of milk plus 4 kids equals YIKES!

La said...

Looks delicious! The frozen loaves make amazing cinnamon rolls too.

It's been too long since I had strawberry freezer jam..Mmm

Honey at 2805 said...

Rhoades does make great bread and rolls, but sometimes they are hard to find! I could like by bread alone as long as it's fresh out of the oven!

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Oh wow, I simply adore home made bread! Your bread looks so much like my mother's recipe I have been making all my entire married life..except when I make it, I want to eat it all!!...maybe I should marry your bread too, lol.. Thanks for sharing dear BJ, I want a piece, right now!!
FABBY

Kris said...

YUM!!!

Shirley said...

Hi Bj, There is nothing better then fresh bread right out of the oven with homemade butter and jam. Yummy. I can remember helping my mom make butter when I was growing on the farm. I remember milking cows and all that goes a long with living on the farm. My brother still has our family farm. Your bread is so yummy looking and it is making me hungry. Have a good day. Your Missouri Friend.

Linda said...

I have not made strawberry freezer jam in a long time.....but I need to! This was SUCH a delicious post!! I could ALMOST taste it!!

Nici @ Posed Perfection said...

I second your thoughts about living on bread alone. I love it in all it's forms...sweet, savory, semi-homemade...you name it, I love it. I loved your story about the farm too. I am your newest follower. I wanted to thank you for stopping by Posed Perfection today and leaving me a sweet comment about the apple cake and caramel frosting. I hope you'll visit again and maybe even follow me back. Have a wonderful week!
Blessings,
Nici

Highland Monkey's said...

You couldn;t get more yummy than homemade bread and jam. Didn't know that you can get freezer proof jars, will have to look into that.

Anonymous said...

I love visiting with you...I always leave with a good feeling in my heart.

Anonymous said...

Love that bread! I usually make the wheat rolls, my grandkids love those things. Hey, since you are from Plainview you surely know where Happy, Texas is! Lived there for about 15 years. Went to Plainview often.

Maria Elena said...

Oooh! It looks sooo good!!! I am a bread person. Can NOT eat a meal unless I have a little piece of bread to go with it! LOL Growing up in Spain, my mom would go to the bakery every morning and buy the fresh out of the oven bread, so I guess that custom has stuck with me.

Beverly said...

Oh yum! I want some.

On Crooked Creek said...

BJ,
Love the bread and the jam!!! A better butter recipe can one find, no! But the best part of this post is learning more about your childhood and youth! I LOVE to hear the stories!!!
Fondly,
Pat

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love bread better than dessert! I try not to eat as much now though! lol I've made a lot of yeast bread in my time!

Unknown said...

LOVE Rhodes bread and rolls. I think I need to put them on my shopping list for next week... :) Following back, thanks for linking up to Show & Share Wednesday!

Audrey said...

The bread looks so good. Will have to try it sometime. Love your pictures. You always make things look so good and tasty.
Blessings,
Audrey Z.

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

Hehe! You make me laugh, BJ. What a great post title!!

And what great foodie ideas too! You have me drooling over my keyboard - not attractive!!

Sarahxx