Simple Whole Wheat Bread

• 3 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
• 1/3 cup honey
• 5 cups bread flour
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 3 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

1. In a large bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and 1/3 cup honey. Add 5 cups white bread flour, and stir to combine. Let set for 30 minutes, or until big and bubbly.
2. Mix in 3 tablespoons melted butter, 1/3 cup honey, and salt. Stir in 2 cups whole wheat flour. Flour a flat surface and knead with whole wheat flour until not real sticky - just pulling away from the counter, but still sticky to touch. This may take an additional 2 to 4 cups of whole wheat flour. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to coat the surface of the dough. Cover with a dishtowel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled.
3. Punch down, and divide into 3 loaves. Place in greased 9 x 5 inch loaf pans, and allow to rise until dough has topped the pans by one inch.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes; do not overbake. Lightly brush the tops of loaves with 2 tablespoons melted butter or margarine when done to prevent crust from getting hard. Cool completely

Note from Katie: I made this yesterday for the first time and it is soooo good!

Sweet Potato Casserole

5 cups sweet potatoes or yams, cooked and mashed
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 tsp. vanilla
pinch of salt
1/3 cup butter

Topping:
1/3 cup flour
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup butter, melted

Combine first seven ingredients and mix until smooth.
Pour into a 2 qt. casserole dish.
Mix all topping ingredients and spread over sweet potato mixture.
Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes.
Cool for 10 minutes and serve warm.

note:I made the sweet potato/yam mixture the night before, covered it and put it in the fridge so I didn't have to do as much the next day. It was so good!

Wassail

1 1/2 cups white sugar
8 whole cloves
3 cups water
3 cinnamon sticks
1 1/2 cups orange juice
1 cup lemon juice
1 gallon apple juice

In a saucepan, combine the sugar, cloves, water, and cinnamon. Bring to a boil, and continue to boil for 10 minutes. Stir in the orange juice, lemon juice, and apple juice. Return to the heat, and boil for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove cloves and cinnamon sticks before serving.


Wassail (This one is a bit healthier for you)

1- 12oz can frozen OJ
1-6oz can frozen lemonade
2 quarts water
1 gallon Apple cider (can use apple juice)
5 cinnamon sticks
5 whole cloves

Stir together in big pot and simmer for at least 10 minutes(the longer the better). Remove spices.