I made bread

Do you know what's in your bread?

Just for today: I do.  I know exactly what is in my bread today, because I made my own from this recipe. Honey Oat Quick Bread

I've been doing a lot of reading on our health, our mood, our diet, artificial ingredients, GMO's, etc. etc.  I'm trying to make the switch over to organic produce and grass fed beef and pork, etc.  There's a lot to be learned in studying about these things, and it's incredible to think that we, as Americans, eat so poorly.  (even though the obesity rate is sky high)

While buying a loaf of bread recently, I started to read the ingredient list on the different brands available.  OMG... really?  you put all THAT in this loaf of bread?? Not recognizing most of  the ingredients  in the 'chemical' bread, I opted for the one with shortest ingredient list and came home.  (Sara Lee wheat bread)

I started looking around on Pinterest for bread recipes.   I have been thinking about buying a bread machine, but don't know if I need another appliance sitting on the shelves, collecting dust.  I've never been one for kneading, rising, punching, etc... taking all day to make bread.  (Mainly because I don't know what I'm doing and I spend all day to make a less than decent loaf of bread.  )

So when I found this recipe.... no yeast, no rising, no kneading, etc.. I knew I should give it a try.  So, here it is... fresh out of the oven.  The house smells yummy and I'm waiting for it to cool.  I'll update you with the taste results later.

But just for today, yes, I know what's in my bread. :)

**Update on taste** YUM!!! Slices beautifully, too.

A Walk in the Neighborhood

On my quest to get away from the computer, I have taken to getting out of the house more often.  On Monday, I took my three dogs on three separate walks in the neighborhood.

I only took my camera on the first trip because I knew I would probably need a blog picture or two.  ;)  Butterbean and I had only been out for a minute or two, before our neighbor came out to greet us.  Joyce is a sweet neighbor and if I had stayed in the house all day, we wouldn't have enjoyed seeing her again. (Joyce doesn't have dogs, but keeps doggie treats in her house for the neighborhood dog.... she is 'good people')

This is my favorite house in the neighborhood.  It belongs to Fred and Shirley.  One day I will ask if I can have a photo shoot there... the yard is spotless... no weeds, just beautiful flowerbeds.

Fred also has his own beehive boxes in the back.  He brought us a jar of his honey last year... Pole Cat Creek honey is delicious.  (the creek runs beside my house and behind his house)  Look how blue the sky was on Monday... glad I got outside to enjoy it.

This is a sneak peek of Barbara's yard.  I don't go into her yard with my dogs, because she has animals and I don't want to upset the neighborhood.  Barbara is probably one of the sweetest people I have ever met; I met her at Curves, where I go to exercise (when I go).  Barbara and her husband hire professionals to help out in their yard... it's incredible.  Can you see the fountain in her pond?

Terrible picture of my finger, I know... but can you see the two side by side drives leading up into the woods?  This is the end of the culdesac... there are two very private and nice homes up there, too.  The dogs and I were too tired to go up the lanes.

An interesting neighbor mailbox.  One day I would like to do a post on interesting mailboxes.  I have a very boring plastic mailbox that came with the house.  I see a lot of smashed mailboxes in the area, so I know the plastic is the best to have around here... but a mailbox like this might be harder to smash.  Good idea.

But, I gotta keep this post real... this is what most of our walk was about... lots of peeing and marking new territory.  I even took my plastic bags to clean up our messes.

So, what about you?  Have you been out and about in your neighborhood lately?