Are you a Supermodel?

All of January, I was either subbing at Hope or New Spirit. I was getting quite a few calls to teach at the New Spirit Primary school. I didn’t mind. It was seven minutes from our apartment. School went an hour later than Hope. Therefore, I was really pressed for time to get home, change, eat, and be to Target by 6. However, I enjoyed the kids and staff. Plus, Target was only about five minutes from our place, but it took around 15 minutes for me to get there because of the traffic at that hour. At night on the way home from Target, it takes five minutes which is nice when I am tired!

In the middle of the month, I taught a half day for Mary, the fifth grade teacher, because her son was sick. Her class was at a field trip when I got there. It was so great to finally meet her. I took them to lunch and came back and visited with Mary. She told me she was so happy she found someone to teach her kids because they are a hard bunch. She said, “Let’s face it. You are very pretty. I think the boys like that.” It was too nice of her to say to me!

Recess was inside. Thank goodness because it was negative two degrees out! We had a really good day. As the students were getting their planners ready at the end of the day, one girl asked if I was a supermodel.

“No. Why?” I asked.

Another boy said, “You’re not?”

“No! Not at all. Why do you think that?” I asked.

“You look like one!” said a lot of the students.

Wow! They are so good for your self-esteem! Mary had told me earlier in the day that she asked other teachers what I looked like because the kids all liked me and wanted me to be their teacher whenever she was gone.

Towards the end of January, they got me for a week. I was supposed to sub for music, which I was not looking forward to, because I cannot carry a tune! They called back and said Mary requested me for the rest of the week because she needed to fly to Nebraska. Her father was ill. I was happy to know that I knew my plans for the week, but felt bad for her.

Even though it was five years ago, I still remember that class and the boy and girl who asked if I was a supermodel! How could I not!?! If I was, I would be one supermodel that ate bread every day. It is my favorite food! I love homemade bread. My mom’s homemade buns and my Honey Wheat Bread are two of my favorites that I can eat many ways, but my favorite way is plain. No butter, No sandwich meat, No peanut butter and jelly. They are what this non-supermodel could eat for every meal.

Honey Wheat Bread

Preheat oven to 375 degrees – Bake Time: 25 minutes – Prep Time: 30 minutes total, plus 3 hours of rise time – Makes: 2 loaves (12 slices each)

1 package rapid ride yeast

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 cup warm water (110 degrees)

1 can evaporated milk (12 oz.)

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup shortening, melted

1/3 to 1/2 cup honey

2 teaspoons salt

2 cups whole wheat flour

3 cups bread flour

2 tablespoons butter

Dissolve yeast and sugar in a measuring cup with the 110 degree water. Combine milk, water, melted shortening, honey (I use a 1/2 cup. You can use a bit less or even a bit more!), salt, and wheat flour in a Kitchen Aid using the dough attachment. Add the yeast mixture to the Kitchen Aid. Mix this mixture together. Then, let this all rest for 15 minutes. Add the three cups of bread flour and mix well until batter hooks around attachment. This takes about four minutes. Take out the dough with one hand, and butter the bowl with the other. Turn the dough over so both side get buttered. Cover with a dish towel and let rise for 45 to 60 minutes. Punch dough down. Divide into two equal parts. Roll each half out to get out the bubbles. Form each half into a loaf shape. Place each loaf into a buttered 9 X 5 bread pan. Butter the tops of the dough and cover loosely with a towel. Let rise in a warm area for two hours. The dough will double in size. It also rises a bit more in the oven. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes, or until tops are a golden brown. (Place a small pan of water on the bottom shelf of the oven to add steam while baking.) Loosen the bread from the pan and let cool on wired rack or a towel with waxed paper. Butter the tops of the baked loaves while still warm. Let cool at least 15 minutes before slicing if you want to enjoy it warm. It stays moist for a couple of days and is great as toast, too! Remember, it makes two loaves so freeze one or give one away!