Well, thanks to my friend, Mike Palmer, the simplicity of making bread has come to my home.  I’ve got a few more tweaks of his instructions before I’ll post the recipe that I am using, but this is my first loaf, made on Monday…

And this is the loaf I made just now.

The first one I buttered  straight out of the oven and it has a nice soft top crust.  The second one has a firmer crust.

Neither loaf really rose up higher than the edge of the loaf pan, so I don’t know if it is the yeast or because I’m using a mix of white and whole wheat flour (1:2 the first time, and 1:1 the second).  Does not much matter.  The first loaf tasted just fine, and I imagine this second will taste fine as well.