Stormy night....

No terrible warnings here just a severe thunderstorm which kept me up but was also great for reading in bed.  I finished a book; first in a series called The Constable on the Hill about the adventures of an English policeman in the rural countryside.  It was enjoyable but there are 36 in the series and I'm not sure I want to continue on with them.  So, because of the storm and the reading, I got a late start this morning. 
I did pay a bill and mailed it up at the mailbox in town. I went outside and was surprised to see one of my clematis blooming with lots more buds too!

I received some wonderfully illustrated cards from the art teacher and her offspring!

This was from Grayson.............

This was from Sam and he signed his name in cursive!  YAY!!!! I cannot believe they do not teach cursive anymore...next thing you know they'll stop teaching reading!

  and last but not least....a card from Amy....the original tiny drawings artist!  What joy to receive these!  Thank you, daughter and her offspring! LOL!

 This afternoon I made my first chia pudding.....I only made one, for now, to see how I like it but it seems to be popular.  It's 2 T of chia seeds to 1/2 cup of any kind of milk....I used almond.  1 t honey or sweetener of your choice.  Stir and let sit for 3 minutes and stir again.  Refrigerate overnight and in the morning put some fruit on top and there is your breakfast!  Chia is supposed to be very filling and healthy.  I cut up some kiwi and in the morning I will cut up a banana too.

 Here' s the milk bread recipe that some of you have asked for....this bread is easy to slice, wonderful toasted or plain...just a great all around white bread.

White Milk Bread or Rolls
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You can make this as one loaf or shape into smaller rolls like hamburger buns or hot dog buns although I haven't tried that yet.  You can easily make and freeze for later.

Ingredients:
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1 cup warm milk
2 1/4 t yeast
1 t honey
3 2/3 cup bread flour or regular which is what I had
1/2 t salt
1 egg lightly beaten
3 T butter, melted

Put the milk, yeast, and honey in a small bowl, and stir until the honey melts.  Leave it for about 10 minutes, or until it begins to froth a bit.  Put the flour and salt in your Kitchenaid bowl if you have one.  Add the yeast mixture, the egg, and butter and mix well with your mixer attachment.  Change to your dough hook and knead for 10 minutes or so.  Cover the bowl with a cloth and leave in a warm, draft-free place (I always sit it on top of my frig) for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until it has puffed up well.
Lightly grease a 12 x 4-inch loaf pan and dust it with flour.    Punch down the dough to flatten it and shape it into a rough loaf to fit the pan.  Cover with a cloth and leave in a warm place for another 45-60 minutes or until it puffs right up in the pan.  Preheat the oven to 375 F.  Put the pan in the oven for about 25 minutes or until the top is firm and crusty and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.  Remove the pan from the oven, knock the loaf out of the pan and cool it on a rack.
Makes 1 loaf or about 15 small rolls.

This recipe is from the cookbook Apples for Jam by Tessa Kiros 

Happy Trails!!!