ST. JIMMI'S BREAD MACHINE RAISIN BREAD

I frequently bemoan the fact that my family doesn't particularly like my cooking.  I blame it less on my cooking and more on their unsophisticated palates, but there you have it.  One exception, though, is my bread machine raisin bread, which I came up with after much trial and error and tweaking of existing recipes.  The Inmates don't like it, so my record is still intact with them.  The Vulcan, on the other hand, can polish off half a loaf as a midnight snack.  Grandma, Uncle Chester, and I all think it's very tasty.  My biggest fan, though, is my blue tick coon hound mix, St. Jimmi.  Unfortunately, raisins can be toxic to dogs (much like chocolate), so I have to pull off small pieces of buttered bread and check for shriveled fruit before passing them on to a very grateful dog.

If you have a bread maker and want a super-easy, slightly sweet, and yummy raisin bread, then here you go:

ST. JIMMI'S BREAD MACHINE RAISIN BREAD

7 oz. water, lukewarm
3/4 tsp. salt
2 cups of bread machine flour
1/3 cup rolled oats
1/8 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 to 1 cup raisins
1 package or 2 tsp. dry yeast
1/8 cup honey
1-1/2 T. butter

Pour water in bread machine pan.  Add salt, flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and raisins.  Gently tap pan to settle the ingredients  Make a small well in the center and add yeast.  Pour honey over top.  Cut butter in four pieces and place each in a corner of the pan. 

St. Jimmi, hanging out on the cat perch

This recipe makes a one pound loaf.  I bake it on the "medium" bread color setting and for "basic" bread.  Since the honey, brown sugar, and raisins give it a light sweetness, I prefer it topped with just butter, but it's also good with a variety of jams and jellies.  Just be careful to remove raisins before feeding it to any canine family members.

Enjoy!


For other great recipes, craft ideas, and more, please check out Milk & Cuddles' link-up post here. 









   

SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH DOGS

And my apologies to Mr. Stephen Sondheim.  Sundays around here are usually pretty laid back.  I take the Inmates to Grandma's for lunch, ensuring I get at least one home-cooked meal a week.  Kinda pathetic that the only sure way to get one is to have my mommy make it for me.

Grandma and Rusty

Today the weather in the Cincinnati area was absolutely gorgeous.  Those blue skies, that low humidity, and that 80 degree temperature.  A little slice of heaven before the 90 degree heat comes back later this week.  We took advantage of the day to take the dogs for a nice, woodsy walk.  One of their favorite trails is at the Meade Property on Lebanon Road in Symmes Township.

Frank

Life was simpler when we only had Frank, our lab mix who showed up in the backyard eight years ago and has been loved by us ever since.  When we adopted St. Jimmi from Recycled Doggies in March, we suddenly found ourselves with two fairly large dogs who absolutely can not be walked together by one person.  They're both strong and can pull a person off her feet.  Believe me, it's happened.  Now that The Professor is twelve, though, I figure it's about time he learn to control a dog and I put him in charge of Frank, the least unruly of the two.

Foghorn, The Professor, and Frank

The biggest problem The Professor has is that his mind is usually anywhere but on the task at hand.  That means he's wandering along, holding the leash, and thinking about Pokemon.  Or Doctor Who.  Or getting back to Grandma's for some Rolos.  Then a rabbit darts from the bushes and Frank makes a lunge and the boy is completely unprepared.  I keep a careful eye on the two of them, as I don't want damage done to my son or my dog. 

Today, all was smooth.  Well, as smooth as an outing with The Inmates ever can be.  Foghorn had emerged from the basement last night with her ancient Dora the Explorer princess carriage and horse.  She then decided to ride it around the house.  Understand, this girl is 4-1/2' tall, with legs that reach up to her armpits, and the carriage is meant for a 2" tall Dora.  It's preposterous, to say the least.  Nonetheless, she insisted on bringing it to the park and riding it along the trail.  It worked fine until, despite my warnings, she attempted to ride it on the unpaved part of the trail and quickly flipped onto her behind.  Carrying seemed the best option after that...

All the dogs had a lovely time, although they seemed fairly hot and thirsty and tired by the end.  St. Jimmi especially seemed to have been tuckered out by the experience.  Twenty feet from the van she plunked her massive backside onto the ground and made it clear she had no intention of moving.

And I leave you with a dog walker's question:  Why does the dog always decide to squat two minutes after you get on the trail, ensuring you have to go the rest of the mile carrying a smelly bag?





You might also be interested in:

* The Loveland Bike Trail.