GIVING THANKS

PRAISE THE LORD

AND PASS THE BREAD

I have so much to be thankful for. The good Lord has really blessed me in so many ways.

I have a wonderful husband, 2 pretty good children and a grandchild that brings so much joy to my life.

Danielle is beautiful, very smart(student of the year at her school), polite,and just a joy to be around. She spent the day with me today. We baked today. Danielle has been learning how to cook. Today she made AMISH WHITE BREAD and PINEAPPLE CAKE.

Sorry that I don't have a better picture of the bread. It really looked better that this. But,it is delish and here is the recipe.

AMISH WHITE BREAD

2 cups warm water(100 degrees)

2/3 cup white sugar

1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1/4 cup vegetable oil

5-6 cups bread flour

Disolve the sugar in ware water, add yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam. Mix salt and oil into the yeast. Work in 5-6 cups flour. Knead dough on a lightly floured level serface until smooth. Place in a well oiled bowl and turn dough to coat the entire service. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until double in bulk, about one hour. Punch dough down. Knead for a few minutes and divide in half. Shape into loaves and place into 2 well oiled 9X5 loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30 minutes or until dough has risen 1 inch above pans.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

I got this Pineapple Pound Cake recipe about 25 years ago at a Southern Living cooking show.

PINEAPPLE POUND CAKE

1 20-ounce can crushed pineapple in juice

1 1/2 cups butter, softened

2 cups sugar

6 eggs

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Pineapple Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar

3 tablespoons pineapple juice

Drain pineapple, reserving pineapple and juice spearately. Cream butter and sugar well at high speed until light an fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Reduce speed to slow ; add flour and baking powder. Add pineapple, 1/4 cup juice and the vanillal, mixing well. Pour into a well greased and floured 10 inch tube pan. Bake at 325 for 1 1/2 hours or until wooden toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in pan 10 minutes on wire rack. Remove from pan and cool completely. Drizzle with Pineapple Glaze.

Pineapple Glaze

Beat sugar and syrup until well blended. Drizzle over cake.

MY GARDEN

IT'S A JUNGLE OUT THERE

I love my garden. We bought this house 19 years ago. My yard has gone from almost full sun to almost full shade over the years. I wish I had pictures of the first few years, with only red clay and not even any grass. We had a few beautiful and large oak trees but have lost some over the years. It has been a labor of love.

BARNEY

This is Barney. If you will notice, he is in front of the computer. Well he seems to think that every time I sit in front of the computer, it means that it is time for me to love on him. I have so much fun trying to work and pet him at the same time.

If you will notice, Barneys head is on my hand and my hand is on the mouse.