Bread and Jam

I've always had problems with bread. When I have tried to make it, it has always turned out with the same dense texture. I tried several different recipes, but they all tasted the same. It didn't matter what kind of yeast I used, how long it rose or even if I used a starter. A couple of months ago at a Relief Society meeting, I received a couple loafs of bread and the recipe from a sister in my ward. The bread was delicious! Since then I've tried her recipe. The first time was a huge disappointment. I ended up baking the loaves about four times as long as required because I got distracted. This was the result:


Sad looking, huh? Well, I was still hopeful and tried it again, this time using a timer and taking it with me wherever I went for that half hour. And it was much better! Since then, I've baked much more successful loaves and I am thrilled with the recipe! It isn't quite as fluffy if you add whole wheat, but it is ten times better than the others I've baked. Here is one of today's loaves:


Also, on a similar domestic note, today I made strawberry freezer jam for the first time. And it is setting as we speak! Not that there is anything wrong with chunky strawberry syrup, but it is nice. This trying new things can be worth it.