It Doesn't get Any Better Than This

I baked, finally, my great Aunt Sophia's bread again yesterday. ( Halleluia!) It is whole wheat w/ scalded milk and water and oil and salt and vinegar, oatmeal, and my addition which is flaxseed. A little molasses and brown sugar, too.( half whole wheat, half unbleached white). A crunchy crust when it comes out of the oven. The first slices are exquisite w/ cold butter. Round loaves in the rustic way. Mine is softer than I would like - hers w/ more body and you sliced it w/ a hack or kitchen saw. She has been gone for years so I cannot ask or witness her exact method. Less kneeding, more kneeding, a pan of water in the oven? Anyways, a loaf like this has a depth of flavor that reveals itself as you chew, and an after taste that is like a great memory of something you shot or caught w/ a good dog at your side.

Dunk in a bean and lentil soup w/ plenty of carrots, celery , onions, garlic, thyme and bayleaf w/ polish sausage, not too much you don't need too much unless you want, from your favorite meat mkt. It is perhaps my favorite soup, rich, delicious, and good for you. I was in cooks heaven even before I cooked the next thing,...

Which was chocolate chip cookies, the recipe on the pkg of chips, but I did nearly half w/ whole wheat flour, and added hazel nuts. I love cookies, but in deference to health issues( because I know that I will be eating a lot of them), I attempt to make them more healthy. Chocolate is good for you, right, and nuts too, and whole grain. So my grandson and I ate them warm from the oven w/ vanilla ice cream, and no guilt. It is a rationale that works for me. Try it.

Try all these things. It will be a good day. Terve' tuloa( come again)!