Tiptoeing around water and flour

I tiptoed on the edge of art lastnight. I think I did okay with my own impression of what thousands, millions of women have tried at. Many have succeeded, many have failed... I think I did ok for the first time.

I've become a bit of a penny pincher as of late and am trying new things (at least for me) that will save us some money and help us eat better. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm completly sick of store bread, ramman noodles, and gatorade. Not that those things are the only ones we've been living on, but it has been a staple in the past. Gross! It shames me to write such things coming from a mother who raised my sister and I on beans and rice.

But lastnight I tried my hand at baking bread. I think I succeeded. See the pictures below and judge for yourself.

This marvelous resource was key in my baking experience. I found that they have a good recipe for bread; one that doesn't ask you to bake 5 loaves at a time. One cook book I have does, they tell you that you can cut it down, but when you have pounds instead of cups to measure, it's a little hard.

This is a slice from the first loaf. It didn't bake right and the middle is still a little doughy. It tastes good if you eat around the middle... and it looks like a slice of ham.

This is the nicer of the two loaves, which was baked in a glass bread pan.
The tops of both got a little burnt because the oven rack was too close to the top of the oven. They suggest that you put a small dish of water in the oven to prevent brick hard crusts.

All in all, it was a success I'd say. The first time anyone does anything, you're allowed some growing room, which I will take advantage of. But, Jon likes it, we eat it, we didn't spend 3-4 dollars on bread, and it's almost just as good.