It is cold. We woke up to 19F. For Celsius folks, we’re at -7. It was even colder last night. The wind outside is making winter storm noises. It’s a kind of low growling as it whistles past the oaks.
Whenever these numbers come out, there is always a lovely Canadian person who is like it’s -40C where we are. Yes, but your electric grid and houses are built for cold. Our houses are built to maximize the AC benefits and compensate for 6 months of 95-105F degree weather. I have exactly one small area in the house where there is enough light to grow plants, because all other rooms are too shadowy. And last week, we were in shorts.
We built a big old fire in the fireplace. The dogs have positioned themselves in front of it and are refusing to budge. Yesterday, just as the temperatures really started to drop, Gordon and I made a couple of trips to the wood pile with our wagon and hauled the wood inside. As usual, Charlie and Nykie accompanied us, because that’s what dogs do, and Tuna also followed us. Tuna is a very dignified cat. She doesn’t hurry. She strides, surveying her domain.
The first trip went fine. On the second trip, just as we were finishing up, a gust of ice-cold wind hit. Tuna took that hit, spun around, and sprinted. She dashed back to the house, leaping over things, like a small orange tiger. And then, when we made it to the door, she gave us this indignant meow that clearly said, “Took you long enough.”
Predictably the cold caused a run on the grocery stores. We have 2 whole days of freezing temperatures. The apocalypse is nigh. Kid 2 went to pick up a couple of things at H-E-B on Friday.
I call this the “No Meat” picture. Thankfully all of us have stocked up in advance. I made a big roast, which we can slice for sandwiches and right now I’m making bread.
The bread machine Gordon bought for me has become one of my MVP appliances. I’ve made all sorts of bread now, but the recipe I make most often is Pain Ordinaire Au Beurre, which I found in The Bread Lover’s Bread Machine Cookbook by Beth Hensperger.
This bread has a long name, which translates to plain bread with butter, but a very short and easy recipe, and best of all, unlike the other breads I make, this one can be baked by the machine. It comes out great on French bread cycle. Set it and forget it.
1 1/2 Pound Loaf
- 1 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons gluten
- 1 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 1/2 teaspoons bread machine yeast
Throw everything into the machine in the order your machine likes it. For me, it’s water, butter, flour, gluten, salt along the perimeter, make a little hole in the center of the flour, and pour the yeast in. Select French or European bread cycle. Walk away.
This bread is great, low sugar content, soft but firm enough for sandwiches, however, it is best when eaten on the same day. The book has a recipe for 2 lb. loaf as well. The cookbook is excellent, by the way. I have the paperback version, but it is right now available on Kindle Unlimited.
Edit Mod R: Ilona’s bread machine is the Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Breadmaker, 2 lb. loaf of bread, Stainless Steel/Black.
You can see more about it in this post.
Donna A says
All I know of soap making is that it stinks and my nan stopped making it when I was too young to learn, though she kept on boiling washing for years which also had a distinct odour and I still in my mind refer to as cooking clothes.
Siobhan says
That has been the only breadmaker recipe book I have used for the last twenty years, including over the bread machine manufacturer’s recipes. I left it in the U.S. with the rest of my library when I moved to Europe*, and ended up reordering it from the U.S. It is beyond excellent.
Also, last week it hit -16°C with windchill (-10° without) and it was the first time we had to turn the heat on this winter, because the buildings are built to retain all the heat. I understand your situation.
___
*if anyone asks, as my husband did, why I would need a BREADMAKER in AUSTRIA, where there is a bakery on every corner, the answer is “because sometimes we want to eat fresh bread that *isn’t* super dark and bricklike. It’s delicious, yes. But it gets boring after a while.
Lisa says
I am Austrian and I totally agree! Love our well insulated houses, especially this winter!
I make my own bread most of the time because I love to give myself some variety that doesn’t cost as much as some of the special bakery bread. Which tastes fantastic, but I do love to know what’s going in my bread and switching it up with whatever I have at home!
Siobhan says
I know I didn’t describe it in a flattering way, but it is delicious. It is also completely unfit for sandwiches — it’s bread for eating by itself.
And the heating is even better when you live in an apartment and your neighbors turn their heat on at the drop of a hat! And most of the Altbau have hallways that stay cool in summer, although I grew up with A/C, and still can’t bear it. I was finally able to afford a couple of good A/C units in 2022, and my life in summer improved tremendously.
Lisa says
These last summers were really hot and weird, a totally different experience from the years before. So A/Cs for private households are still a novelty while companies have been using them for years – but by no means are they standard equipment for buildings!
So I am the complete opposite of you – for me it’s easier to bear the warmth and maybe only use a fan inside the apartment if it’s too humid. With an A/C I am always cold, even though there are of course different settings. Don’t know why, I guess it is just what your body is used to!
Are you living in Vienna? I guess in bigger cities it’s different as well as the natural air flow gets disrupted by close buildings and the heat retained by streets and concrete.
But despite all that I hope you enjoy living in Austria, not only the bread but generally speaking! 🙂
Tiapet says
Haha! I can imagine feeling the same way, and agree that European breads are excellent!
Maggie Gajda-Chan says
Could you please post the bread making machine you are using?
Thanks and stay warm, guys!
Moderator R says
Hi Maggie, it’s the Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Breadmaker, 2 lb. loaf of bread, Stainless Steel/Black
.
You can see more about it in this post 🙂 https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/surprise-bread/
Karen the Griffmom says
Love my Zo!
Hunting Guy says
Amen! It’s worth every penny.
Shel F. says
I know someone who makes wonderful soap,and dropped her a link to your technical contact form.
Jing says
I’m in Alberta and also fear for our electric grid. We got an advisory to reduce usage to help maintain supply. Car did not start this a.m., booster did not help, fun times.
Luckily, Elsa is leaving soon. We’ll get our milder winter by weekend. Til then, need new battery most likely.
Dawn Summers says
Hello fellow Albertan! Stay warm!
Susie says
It has been incredibly cold this weekend in Alberta, that’s for sure, but I think it’s worse because we have had a very spoiled winter and haven’t had to acclimatize to cold weather.
The alert to stop non essential electricity was a jolt.
PS I would rather have -40C then have scorpions in my house. (Bad shivers at the thought)
Miriam says
+1
Alyssa says
That’s just awful. I can’t conceive of -19F.
When the cold hit us a year ago in Atlanta, everyone’s pipes burst. My fingers are crossed for the cold hitting us tomorrow night.
Ellabean says
Brrrr! I’m in Atlanta and it is getting cold tomorrow. School is cancelled and we’ll work from home. Our city is not prepared for icy roads. It’s going to be a looooong day.
Wey says
Icy roads are fun… and scary. Remember, small movements on the steering wheel, large turns and corrections will send you flying. Do not accelerate or decelerate quickly. If you need a reference for this take a car to an empty parking lot and practice. If you know what it feels like when your tires are slipping you’re less likely to panic behind the wheel.
Ellabean says
Thanks! I have zero experience with driving on ice or snow.
Wey says
Turn your taps on to a drizzle. Hot water is best. As long as water is running through the pipes they won’t freeze. Check the water periodically, if it turns icy, run hot water until it warms back up and turn back to drizzle.
If the pipes do freeze, use a space heater or even a hair dryer to thaw the frozen pipe, if you can find the freeze.
Whitney says
Cold is all relative! I’m from Manitoba (Canada) and it’s currently -22C but feels like -35C with wind – not quite -40C! It’s not pleasant but not unexpected in January where I live. The furnace is running all the time even with our house having good insulation, new windows etc… I think we were colder than some places in Nunavut (high arctic) yesterday. I broke out my heavy duty parka and crammed my toddler into her big winter jacket before leaving the house. Many tears this morning, lol.
I think people forget that if you’re living somewhere that houses don’t have the proper insulation for cold weather, even a few degrees below freezing can be a huge deal… especially if it stretches over the course of a few days. Frozen and burst pipes, power outages! I had never thought of this before we had water main breaks all over the city one really cold winter (below -30C for an extended period). They had to rebury the pipes even deeper after that to protect against future extreme cold weather snaps. Guessing that pipes are not buried nearly as deep in the southern states so this could be a real risk for a lot of homes…
Wishing you and everyone feeling the cold a return to warmer weather soon!!
ps. The fresh bread sounds heavenly….
Johanna J says
It’s too cold here in Dallas too (for this former Californian – even though I’ve been here since 1982). Hot bread with butter sounds perfect right now!
Charlotte says
We had -25 Celcius when we were skiing in the Swedish mountains in the beginning of January but now it’s more like -9, but windy so the chill factor makes it feel like -17. During the night we had about 2 decimeters of snow as well.
But in the north of Sweden they went from -42 to +2 last week. And now they have -32 again. It all depends on from which direction the wind blows.
We had a lot of problems during Christmas with trees breaking due to heavy snow on the branches and it caused a lot of power loss
Valerie in CA says
It’s been in the 30’s here – Sacramento California. You are right, homes here aren’t built with the cold weather in mind, either. A few months ago I replaced the weatherstripping around each door. I took action to weather proof these 20+ year old double paned windows, as best I could.
I am making tortellini soup. I ordered wool socks (wool and a cotton blend) from Amazon. My toes are ice cubes.
My kitty is currently in my lap.
Yeah it’s cold!
Debbie B. says
The Best wool socks, I’ve found, are bought from Walmart, the Sports area; they are Pink, have 86% wool content, can’t recall the brand. They feel better than the ones I’ve gotten off Amazon, have never done the thinning, nubby thing that makes me Hate socks, booty-footy things, that cause pain on the bottom of my feet. I have been a Walker in the past, trying to save on bus fare(don’t drive), and have a habit of wearing a pair of these, the entire fall through winter, as they don’t let feet-cracks happen. My husband usually buys me at least 3 pair a year, so to make up for the cats Throwing down hanging ones, that the dogs chew up, or moths got to. Hope you can get some!
Debbie B. says
Think these are the ones: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Realtree-Women-s-Merino-Wool-Midweight-Hiking-Crew-Socks-Size-Medium-Pink/379306207?athbdg=L1103&from=/search
Randy R says
My grandmother-in-law was a loyal GVC shopper and she also, in classic grandmother fashion, would give socks for Christmas. About 10 years ago she bought us all these wool compression socks from QVC. They were amazing. My last pair finally got holes last year. I cannot find anything like them anywhere. I have bought several from Amazon that look similar but they are not the same. They not only were amazing in the cold but also when it was hot and you had to wear shoes like a funeral or something. Seriously one of the most useful gifts I have gotten and it was a pack of socks.
Moderator R says
I feel like it’s a rite of adulthood to learn to appreciate good socks. And then you do what adults have done for generation and you gift them to kids and break their hearts over what they see as the most disappointing present ever 😂
Wey says
Fleece lined reading socks are best for sleeping in when it gets cold. Been sleeping in them for the past week, they aren’t as tight on the ankles, no elastic lines and they are extra warm. Also they usually have sticky bottoms, so no slipping on the midnight bathroom breaks.
Tiapet says
Haha! So true!
A says
Canadian: I sleep in big thick wool socks for 10 months of the year.
Try it: really cosy. Add a wool blanket on top of the wool duvet, and it is easier to sleep.
I also have a wool throw for knees & feet while at the desk or couch.
Big and baggy socks so that they do not restrict circulation. Just make warm pockets around feet. I bought mens size 13 … still big even after washing …
https://nonia.com/product/vamps-sizing/
or
https://macauslandswoollenmills.com
I feel for you on houses. I was astonished when I visited the Southern US: I am accustomed to warmly-built homes … but then, none of the homes where I grew up had AC … and we thought it was a heat wave if a summer day reached 25 degrees Celcius 😉
jewelwing says
Time to break out the Carhartts. I have gone through my winter clothes and am taking a laundry basket’s worth (of the ones I haven’t worn in a year) to the next door neighbors. They have kids of all sizes and I’m pretty sure the clothes will fit at least a couple of them. One pair of insulated coveralls, one heavily insulated and hooded canvas jacket, a couple of wool sweaters that I can no longer wear because hot flashes, assorted hats, pairs of gloves and wool socks. Also a crate they can use for their 4 month old Pyr pup, who is theoretically a livestock guardian, but not yet big enough to stay outside in what’s coming our way. He’ll be inside but is not house trained, so he’s about to get crate trained.
Nicole says
I am one of those Canadians living somewhere that was -46C (which is below -40F) last week. But we will also scream and cry and throw tantrums once it gets to +30 and have real issues if it gets hotter. And we have cities in Canada that shut down if it snows because they never get snow- its all about what you are used to/plan for.
I hope it isn’t too rough or too long for you folks.
Kat says
You’re probably talking about Vancouver. Yes it snowed last week and the buses could not get up the hills. The sidewalks got icy and people were sliding around. But our houses are built to stay warm. I can’t imagine how to heat Texas houses! They’re big, airy spaces meant to cool you down after being under the sun. I’m glad House Andrews has a nice warm fireplace and lots of wood! Stay warm!
Tiapet says
I’m in Vancouver too. Snow day today and the schools are closed!
We don’t have (or usually need) the army of snow plows that more snowy cities have, and that makes a difference.
Katherine says
stay warm!
Di says
I’ve had that bread machine book for years. It’s the best!
However, I took classes on no knead breads. It is amazing. Mix it up, let it sit for 12-24 hrs, punch it down, shape and bake! Lots of recipes on youtube. Look for the ones with Steve Gamelin.
I have a cat that is a feral rescue and is insistent on going out every day. However when I opened the door (reluctantly) at 12 deg and very windy the 2 cats waiting spun around and said no thank you. So I can clearly see Tuna streaking to the door! What my cats love is that I brought out a little space heater to keep my feet warm. They park in front of my feet. The feral cat has decided to park on my chest & watch the bird feeder. Not getting any house work done, I’d rather read!
Marsha Parris says
In Austin under a blanket by the fire reading. It is chilly today.
RondaG says
When I moved from Kansas to the Corpus Christi area (just in time for that last really cold snap a few years ago, where the grid did NOT hold), I was amazed my pipes outside were not insulated. I mean, who doesn’t insulate their pipes?!? And that’s when I also learned my windows were not great. And my wall insulation was not great. And ….
But yes – houses down there are definitely not built for that type of weather. The *city’s* water pipes froze. Not the homes, but the actual city. We had to wait for the pipes to thaw on the city’s end before we could find out if our own pipes were okay or not.
Hoping all holds, and this cold snap disappears quickly for you!
Oona says
pipes freezing and bursting in winter city variety and home variety happened often in DC and adjacent areas. tho cold spells do happen there many houses are not completely built for it. I’m currently in Florida parts of which do get frost and snow (hello northern fla). and I heard there was a wind chill advisory for Wed am to pm. I nearly died laughing…wear a coat gloves and hat. lows will be about 37 to 47 for south fla and inland A bit cooler. I broke out my velvet floor length duster w hood my hot pockets for my feet and down quilt. I put space heater in my room and I wear my athletic leggings double cotton socks and athletic long sleeve top all designed to keep me toasty. my other weapon is my heated carpet pad under the area rug. cats are all parked on it currently. I like sitting on it too! and I put heat to 60 so the heat pump doesn’t work too much. 😑 but seriously we moan here but it’s not bad it will pass quickly…only issue might be rolling blackouts from over demand..
Anne says
Heated carpet pad?!?! Such a thing exists?? I had no idea. Can I ask where you got it?
Oona says
I’ll look it up. and post for you. great invention tho. no more cold feet floor greeting upon rising in early am
Oona says
okay sheildlife Thera mat is one tho more like heated carpet excellent for lounging on I used in my bed as heated mattress pad…IR heat that penetrates lovely 😍 the other product is Klimax that goes under carpet and ontop of a carpet pad. both cost me but I used them in no. va then to florida stored for the 10 cold days. best products love them 💕
Pat Z says
Hi. My sister has a friend that makes and sells his own soaps in the Austin area. I have texted him to see if he is interested in getting in touch, but I’m not sure where an email address for our revered mod r is. His business is Woodhoek Wild, Red Rock Tx. He has a website.
Moderator R says
Ilona meant the contact form on the website 🙂 https://ilona-andrews.com/contact/
Thank you so much for helping!
Pat Z says
Always glad to help my favorite authors!
Patti says
I’m in southern Ontario, Canada, and although I’m used the the -20 C (with wind chill factor), it’s nowhere near as cold in the winters as it used to be for sustained periods of time, as when I was growing up. We used to have tons of snow as well– not anymore. We use oil coil heaters in our family room for extra heat, because this room is drafty with large windows. The heater heats the oil and the oil runs through the coils. There are very safe, even if they get tipped over. (No oil can run out.) It wouldn’t be much help when the electricity is out, but to supplement a gas furnace, it’s good.
Annamarie Schmidt says
We (here in the Willamette Valley of Or.) have also had snow/ice since Friday evening. Now they are saying that we will have an ice storm tonight through Wed. Our Highway dept. says that they have no money so they have NOT been sanding or plowing. I live on a highway and we still have 2 sets of ruts instead of 5 lanes and 2 bike lanes
Lynn L says
We had 17 this morning in North Bexar County. The next two nights will be colder. The worst part was the ice which most Texans have no clue how to deal with. Best to stay hunkered down.
njb says
Go Tuna! Hehehehe
Yep, had to laugh about the empty shelves. Of course the memories of the snowpocalypse are still quite green, so I really can’t laugh too hard. I’m still debating installing a generator and my brother decided to go for it this year. The electric grid in Texas has significantly failed at keeping up with the population and industrial growth. And that’s being kind.
Maggie news!! I was just debating if it was kosher to ask how things were going there.
David Pease says
Greetings from Red Rock in Bastrop County. I make handcrafted soap in my cottage business, Woodhoek Wild. I am happy to assist if I can.
Moderator R says
Thank you so much for your kindness, David- the expert has been found at present, but I will save your contact details in case of need! 🙂
Patricia Schlorke says
Even apartments aren’t cold weather proofed. Of all the things to happen over the holiday (MLK Day) weekend is my furnace went out. It went out right after I moved into the apartment. The maintenance guy fixed it, and it was fine until now. I went out yesterday to see if I could find a temporary heater until another one I bought online gets here. Went to Walmart…no heaters. They were wiped out. Went to Lowes. They had the radiator kind of heater, and it was the only kind they had in stock. So, I bought one thinking it was better than not having something. My downstairs is warm. The upstairs, where the bedrooms are, is cold. The thermostat is hovering between 55 – 57 (F). I’m letting the furnace run to circulate the air around the apartment. At least it’s warmer than the outside.
I have the faucets dripping, and the cabinets open even though I’m in an apartment right in the middle of the building. I’m staying warm with a Dyson hot/cold fan, shearling lined slippers, flannel pants, a t-shirt, a warm sweater, and a blanket over my legs in my office upstairs.
It even snowed in Fort Worth this morning. I’m glad I work from home. 🙂
Nancy H says
It’s been about 40 degrees here in SoCal which is pretty cold for here. We actually enjoy using the wood stove in our family room to heat the main living areas. It is very efficient and calming to look at. But there is a no burn for wood stoves today because of air quality. We will be using it anyway as we have some very nice hard wood at the moment.
Our Boxer has her sweater on.
Stacey says
heh. I’m in michigan. I just got out my big coat. it’s funny because I am fine with the cold outside but can’t stand chilly inside. I think you Texans are furnaces with your indoor air conditioning temps!
tack up some blankets/sheets over the entry in your “warm” room. I know you want some air draw for the fire but for the most part you’d like to encourage the warm air to stay put with you.
I also laughed at the run on meat. where I grew up the stores would run out of bread, milk, and sometimes eggs. so we’re making French toast and you’re barbecuing for the neighborhood😀
Laura Martinez says
Best of luck! I’ve been thinking of you and my friends and family in Texas. We’re in Northern Virginia, where we did get some snow, and it’s freaking cold, but our houses are built for it.
Stay warm!
Keera says
Stay warm guys! I have a few friends and 1 sister in TX all complaining that NJ was warmer the TX this weekend. Seems our temps will drop later today with a bit of snow overnight. I really hate the cold but family is here so here we live right now.
However this is my 10 years olds first snow (if we get decent accumulation) So he is the only one super excited. My 21 year old has told him how fun shoveling the driveway can be and the kid believed his big brother. Middle child is 17 and does odd jobs for pay and she told him he can do the shoveling. I started to interrupt but hubby said lets see how it plays out in the morning.
I expect early morning winter shenanigans.
Megan says
What brand/model
breadmaker do you have?
Moderator R says
It’s the Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Breadmaker, 2 lb. loaf of bread, Stainless Steel/Black
.
You can see more about it in this post 🙂 https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/surprise-bread/
Denisetwin says
It SO depends on where you live and what your area is used to! I’m in the midwest. My boss opened a new office in Atlanta. His first winter there, they got a little dusting, less than an inch of snow, a little sleet, nothing much, would not have even brought out the plows here. It was snowmageddon there. Cars spinning out, in the ditch, groceries gone, news screaming about lines going down. He was all, what is wrong with these people??!! LOL
Patricia Schlorke says
I agree with your boss. Even a friend of mine who lives in Atlanta told me people can’t drive there even on good days. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Jenn says
Hahaha yup … we lived in Atlanta for four years. They used rocks instead of sand/ salt on the roads… drove my sweet VW Jetta to work listening to rocks hit it on the highway… we saw people trying to defrost their cars with all kinds of crazy things. One lady was bashing her windshield with a broom handle… rather than give it time …
Jean says
My sister-in-law was in Atlanta for work some time in the 1990’s when they had some minor snow accumulation. No one on the roads but her. “I own Atlanta” was her mantra for a couple weeks.
Anne says
I use that cookbook at least 2-3 times every week! I’ve been using it for almost ten years now. The spine is creased to my most-used pages.
Wendy says
glad you still have electricity. thanks for sharing your bread recipe recommendation. in Seattle vegetables sell out before the meat does 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Jenette says
A friend of mine posted this today, and I just had to share: “When it’s bitterly cold outside, I think of all the mosquitoes that are dying, and it makes me feel warm inside. 😂” –Nancy Walton
Hang in there, you guys! I hope the weather changes for the better very soon.
Ericka says
i think of all of the 4″ long cockroaches that won’t survive. i picture them in little snow boots and scarves, shivering. it almost helps.
Simrit says
Yes! This cold is awful! Where I am in Oregon it turned into an ice storm. We are all frozen solid with downed branches and trees. The freezing rain created a crust on top of the snow and everything is very slick ! I feel luck to have power! My friend has been out of power since Saturday and may well have to wait for several more days to get power. She is one of 11,000 in her town without power.
Hope everyone stays safe!
Marissa G says
i love reading these comments, and I love that you make bread… but am I the only person who makes bread regularly without a bread machine? I make white bread weekly, we don’t buy bread. my bread recipe has 5 ingredients and it’s super simple.
flour, sugar, yeast, salt, sunflower lecithin. and water. I make 2 loaves at a time, and freeze the one we aren’t eating, so it can last. it’s awesome. warm, fresh bread is something I think more people should enjoy more regularly.
Bev says
Last week I did the rolls made with oatmeal that’s been hydrated with boiling water for 10 minutes. America’s Test Kitchen fluffy Thanksgiving rolls. I had to substitute part of the ingredients since I didn’t have whole wheat flour, bread flour or molasses in the house. They were o.k. I’ll make them again because they went together faster. Stay warm everybody.
Jazzlet says
I used to, but I don’t have the spare energy these days, so I mix and knead the bread in my Magimix so I just have to shape and cook it.
Bill G says
Best of luck with the weather, and with the critters by the fire. I haven’t cranked up my bread machine in a while due to gluten problems, but my preferred recipe back then was a dill-onion bread.
Catlover says
Our temps dropped into the negatives with nasty wind chills the last three days. I purchased a survival stove that uses inside-safe cans that can be used for cooking and heat just in case but haven’t needed it. So far we haven’t had any bad storms with loss of electric yet but other places have. We sold out of room heaters on Friday at work. Winter here, so far, has been pretty mild but it is January so cold is expected. Stay safe.
AP says
My friend shared that she got to pump $0.30 of gas before the pump froze (wind chills have been around -20F all day today along the Front Range in Colorado).
What is cold or hot is definitively relative to whatever you’re used to but this was ridiculous! 😂
Jenn says
It should not be warmer in Massachusetts (31 F) than it is Texas. That is just crazy. Glad you’re all hanging in there so far.
We’ve had snow, rain, snow squall, sun, and now tomorrow freezing rain for the morning commute. Fun times. All the seasons in a matter of days. We were at a truck stop today … random stop for snacks and clean bathroom… I noticed some Knick knacks for sale.. next to the fairy statues were skeletons doing various things. One was sitting on a toilet. I stood there staring because my brain got stuck on who that figurine was marketed towards… I said to my husband “if you came home with that and were like, ‘here I got this for the mantelpiece…’” … lol there’s something for everyone I guess. I still wonder about the people who would find those skeletons perfect …maybe a tough biker guy but he loves his collection of resin plastic skulls and it wasn’t complete until he got the toilet one to remember the very clean bathrooms at the Connecticut truck stop? I don’t know.
Stay warm and here’s hoping the grid holds!!!
Cathleen says
Hello
Love your books!
I am Canadian in Montreal, in fact.
It’s actually -7 C here right now. It’s F***** cold. Hate it.
The fact that’s it’s the same in Texas boggles my mind. January 2024!!
Advice for cold weather? Layers. Two pairs of socks. Hoodies.
Hopefully you’re back to shorts soon!!
Bibliovore says
Layers is right. I used to live in NE Ohio a few decades ago and have my cold training to use here in Gulf Coast Texas. Better than the inland areas. Still have my good cold weather clothing. Prepped for tomorrow if work is open.
Leigh-Ayn says
When the apocalypse is nigh in Australia everyone stock piles toilet paper!
Ellabean says
Brrrr! I’m in Atlanta and it is getting cold tomorrow. School is cancelled and we’ll work from home. Our city is not prepared for icy roads. It’s going to be a looooong day.
Sarah Y. says
If you have time to share…What type of bread machine/maker do you have? I have no room for more appliances but have been tempted to add one for about a year now and have been doing research…#curious
Sarah Y. says
Ack ignore this! Just saw the answer above!
SoCoMom says
Warm thoughts your way. Hoping to be spared more damage from flooding later this week on the West Coast.
I keep wanting to make bread, but am baffled by yeast. Maybe I will bake some banana bread tonight. Mmmm, banana bread, hot from the oven!
Bev says
I use rapid rise yeast and proof it in a glass measuring cup. Use about a fourth cup of very warm water and a tablespoon of sugar. When it starts foaming and growing it proves it is good. Use a basic white bread recipe to start with. The banana bread sounds lovely! I ‘ll have to see if I have the ingredients for quick bread tomorrow. Maybe muffins! Thanks for the idea!
Shawna Koshinsky says
You’re right, I’m in Canada & we have the polar vortex planted firmly over us right now. Grim going all last week & this one. My cats insisted on going outside tonight while I took out garbage, they made it 3 feet onto the deck, turned and gave me the stinkeye because, of course, I did this cold business & I should stop it right now.
Meg Fielding says
That’s my favorite bread machine cookbook. The bread I usually make is the Semolina Country Bread. I love the sesame seeds and I use toasted sesame olive oil. Scrumptious!
Gloria says
Oh man I can smell that roast! Glad you guys are prepared. Glad I am in LA. Stay safe and sane. I once worked in North Dakota and a white-out blizzard kept me inside and I almost lost it.
Jaye says
I have that cookbook too! My favorite recipe may be the sciaciatta – or is it the hot cross buns? – but I really like the white whole wheat bread for sandwiches.
Hope your fingers and toes stay toasty!
Jamie says
I love the Hensberger book. It was my only bread machine-based book for years, and I still often turn to it. One of the best recipes (IMHO) is for House Bread, which is primarily bread flour, but has a couple of spoonfuls of several other types. I’ll use whatever I have on hand for the latter (rye, wheat, potato, wheat germ, etc.) and it never disappoints.
Christine says
I’m one of those Canadians and it is miserable if you’re not accustomed to it. I have a ridiculous amount of hats, gloves, scarves, mitts, boot socks etc… I also have a long winter coat, a cold weather parka and mild weather parka.
Some observations/advice:
1. Wool. Nothing beats wool. For a few days of the year, it may not be worth getting many wool garments but I highly recommend socks.
2. Layers. As many as you need, even indoors.
3. Mitts are warmer than gloves.
4. You might need to have the taps on drip so they don’t freeze and burst. My parents retired to the country after decades in the suburbs and had to do this.
5. Tuna is a very smart kitty!
Hang in there.
Sending warm thoughts and virtual hugs to you and my fellow Canadians in Alberta (from Ontario). Hoping that your power grid holds out!!!
wont says
Your bread sounds wonderful. However, I won’t be buying a machine because then I would have an excuse to constantly make, and eat, all that bread. Bread is my kryptonite. I have no resistance. I can resist almost anything, but warm, fresh bread? Nope.
Cindy Montalbano says
My daughter bought me a bread machine for Christmas last year and I used it once and the bread came out gross. I’ve used bread machines in the past and not had a problem. I thought maybe it was my yeast. So I threw away the yeast I had on hand and bought more yeast. I made another loaf and yet it still came out not right. Sigh…..
I don’t know what I’m doing wrong with this new bread machine but it’s driving me crazy. I’m discouraged and don’t want to even try using it.
I want to be able to use this recipe that you’ve provided. So I’m going to give it one more shot. I have to buy gluten though, which is something I’ve not ever been prompted to put into a bread recipe before. Nonetheless I’m going to give it a one last try. Wish me luck.
Moderator R says
Good luck, let us know if that made the difference! 🤞🏻
Cindy says
Ok I feel totally uninformed – you can buy just gluten? I haven’t seen a recipe before that called for additional gluten, nor have I seen gluten at the store. Is that something you need to special order?
Ilona says
A lot of stores carry it. It comes in a little packet in a powder form, kind of like dry milk, and you just toss a couple of teaspoons in. Here is an Amazon link, but I would check the local grocery. https://www.amazon.com/Vital-Gluten-Anthonys-Pounds-Protein/dp/B00PB8U7Y0/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=2POAWOP26ZCB8&keywords=gluten&qid=1705425852&sprefix=gluten%2Caps%2C139&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1
Cindy says
Thank you!
Moderator R says
Yes, you can buy gluten (wheat gluten) on its own. It is used in baking or to make seitan, so you will find it of course online, but also baking isles and natural/health food stores or Asian stores 🙂.
Kat in NJ says
Thank you for the explanation!
I often make bread (by hand, I don’t have a bread machine), and I am also mostly-vegetarian so I do have vital wheat gluten on hand to make seitan…but I’ve never seen gluten listed in bread recipes before and I didn’t make the connection!
This makes perfect sense to me as gluten would add extra protein to improve the bread texture. And now you’ve given me an excellent plan – bake bread and make soup- for the rest of this snowy and cold (app. 25F) day in NJ! 😁
Hang in there everyone, especially those who have it much worse than NJ at the moment. At least we in NJ are used to this weather…I can feel the pain of HA (and others in normally warm places!) Sending virtual hugs and warming thoughts your way!!! 💕💕💕
MELINDA FLICK says
I’m on my 2nd or 3rd bread maker. Honestly, it only gets used to make the dough itself these days. It’s 20+ years old and makes a fugly loaf. BUT. The recipe for brioche dough is much loved here, and I used that for cinnamon rolls too. It has a decent oatmeal bread recipe too. I’ve got 3-4 bread cookbooks, but really and truly, the very small booklet that came with the breadmaker all those years ago is the one marked up to suit our family of 5 (all kids now grown and out) and loved. Grease spots, wrinkles and all.
Mezgeja says
we are at minus 3F right now, I believe minus 14 predicted for tonight. but our meat counters are full! (Chicago area). the hensperger book is terrific. if you have a rice cooker, get her rice cooker cookbook, it is awesome.
Ericka says
my cousin grew up outside Dallas and moved (nearly 30 years ago – gulp!) to Oregon. she was the it person for the construction company that built her house. having come from texas, she INSISTED on central air. they had never built a house with central a/c before and kept telling her how crazy she was. i don’t think she turned it on for the first 15 years she lived there. now, she looks like a genius because she’s got the only house in the subdivision that was built with and for central air.
i live outside of chicago, but i moved to north carolina for a job years ago. i LOVED my house in NC, but wouldn’t have been able to live in it here – there was a space wide enough for frogs to hop in under my door and most of the super old windows were cracked. if it dropped to 50F, it was really uncomfortable, even with zoned heat.
as for now, it has warmed up to -1, but feels like -20 with the wind chill. i’ve got a head of cauliflower in the fridge that i’m planning to make into some sort of soup for dinner but now i want bread. i have yeast and the ingredients…
Farmwifetwo says
It only got to -20C here in my corner of Canada 😂 The cold isn’t the problem it’s the winds we’ve had. Thankfully the lights were out only 6hrs during the “Texas low” on the weekend. No lights = no water so I have supplies all over the house.
Stay warm. Spring returns next week
here. Then you start to worry about freezing rain… can’t win.
Norma says
I sorry if this question has been asked before, but which bread machine do you have or recommend? And does it leave a whole in the middle of the loaf?
In this frigid weather fresh bread sounds heavenly!
Moderator R says
It’s the Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Breadmaker, 2 lb. loaf of bread, Stainless Steel/Black
.
You can see more about it in this post 🙂 https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/surprise-bread/
KathyInAiken says
That is my go to Bread machine cookbook. I’ve had only one recipe fail because I did not use my brain when looking at it. The recipe called for 6 cups of AP flour and that’s what I added. To say the least, I had a mess and no bread to serve. Lesson learned.
Miriam says
Thanks for the cookbook recommendation. Just ordered the paperback. 300 recipes will find me one I like. In south of Germany there are similar temperatures at the moment and tonoght it will start warming up. And raining. We’re awaiting black ice. Tomorrow it will rise up to 10 degrees Celsius plus and then by night down again to 10 degrees Celsius minus. Weird. Stay warm and safe.
Jessica says
I love my bread machine, we have been making bread (and pizza dough) in it for probably 18 years. Though we have gone through a few machines. This is our go to recipe (also from a bread book similar to yours).
1 cup water or milk
2 tablespoons olive oil (or butter)
2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
1.5 teaspoons salt
2 cups bread flour
1 cup wheat flour (my mom uses 2.5 cups wheat flour and 1/2 cup bread flour)
2 teaspoons yeast
I tend to use more wheat flour for pizza or calzone dough, then more bread flour for normal bread. It is funny, it is so easy to make dough in it. Yet whenever I bring anything yeast related somewhere, people love it but are scared to try themselves. Soft pretzels and cinnamon rolls are other favorites
Our bread, in a plastic bread box, seems to last about 3 days before getting a bit stale.
Mary says
I have a dog who can’t stand the cold.
I have a winter coat for her (because Canada and my dog does not have an undercoat) and it takes at least 5 minutes to bundle both of us up.
This morning I took her out, she did her business on our front lawn and promptly ran back to the door.
It took her one minute. She was done 😂.
Casey says
My husband was from northern Ontario and after we settled in southern Ohio he didn’t even bother to buy a winter coat or boots as our weather was so much warmer, comparatively speaking. Gave me lots of withering glances when schools or highways closed when it snowed. And always had his skates in the trunk of the car in case he ran across someplace great to skate. Yeah, that happens a lot in Cincinnati.
I agree with another poster — wool sweaters are the greatest keep-warm assets. Just ruinously expensive these days.
Kelly H. says
What bread machine do you specifically have? I want to get involved with more of my own bread and less from the store.
Moderator R says
It’s the Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Breadmaker, 2 lb. loaf of bread, Stainless Steel/Black
.
You can see more about it in this post 🙂 https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/surprise-bread/
Shiloh Walker says
people always do this & it’s annoying.
there are some rude fools on Facebook griping because school was switched to online in the Louisville area since it’s in the single digits…
these kids wouldn’t have survived fifty years ago
50 years ago, there were far fewer families who were either single parent or required both parents working, meaning n9e there are far more kids stuck riding busses & Louisville has this serious bus driver shortage where sometimes kids are literally stuck waiting an hour or more for their ride – IF IT COMES.
50 years ago, tech didn’t allow for schooling online at home.
so often, people don’t look past their own experiences.
Kris says
I’m west of Ft. Worth, Sunday we didn’t get above 13 degrees, low was 9 this morning with a windchill of -5. We got up to 29 yesterday with some sun and my backflow valve on my sprinkler system is toast due to frozen pipes. To say TEXAS is’t built for this is an understatement! I lived at over 8k feet in CO for 4 yrs and never had any pipes freeze! But my house is fine. Stay warm!
Emily says
While I do tease my Southern friends about the lack of cold tolerance, here is a 100% true fact: the coldest I have ever been, in my life, was 3C (37F) in Australia. I have been outside where the actual temperature was -35F and the wind chills were a howling -57F. I winter camp in the snow. I worked in Alaska. And absolutely none of it compared to an above freezing temperature in subtropical Australia. Why? Because I was completely unprepared for those conditions. I’d packed assuming the weather would at worst get down into upper 40s, but the town I lived in hit record lows for a couple of nights while I was there.
Preparedness and resources make all the difference!
Lex Amyx says
I’m in Minnesota. I’ll spare you any temperature comparisons and just say, winter is cold and it often feels like an emergency when it gets a lot colder very fast and I’m glad you got your wood inside in spite of Tuna’s displeasure.
Thanks for the bread recipe and especially for mentioning the French bread setting on the machine.
I go through phases of using my bread machine and somehow always seem to start in June, which makes zero sense. This time, amazingly, I started in the sensible season for bread-baking. I have been wondering if I have to start baking the bread in my regular oven to get a slightly different final product, but now I’ll try the French bread setting on my machine first. (Because the temperature is unreliable in my oven… and I don’t want to work that hard.)
Jean says
Thanks ModR for the machine type. Bread is my downfall, love it. Thanks for the information on the cookbook as well. Stay safe and stay warm everyone!
Alice says
i live in Montana, and my dad lived in North Carolina and later Florida. when we would talk on the phone in the winter he would tease me about my cold weather. So in the summer i would tease him about the heat. I miss that now he’s gone.
Robin says
Prep in the bread machine, but using the oven to bake will diffuse more heat to your home.
Overnight lows here in Alabama reached -7 degrees F, equivalent to-14 C. We have about 5 inches of snow, so there’s no point in going out because everything is closed. May I suggest that this is an excellent moment for making lasagna, or pasticio? I presume that you have determined to experiment with low carb pastas?
Jessica A says
I think we’re just going to get more and more of these wild weather swings. If it’s not region typical any chill is going to cause havoc. I’m in BC’s coast. Were frigid and HUMID frigid. Hospitals have burst pipes. Not good.
Stay warm, Horde! And safe. Please, please if it’s not an area where you get snow regularly, consider not driving in it. You may be equipped but I guarantee there will be reckless idiots out there who aren’t.
EmW says
Ironically, I’m in Austin this week from Toronto. The guys here are saying that I brought the weather 🙁
The one week of the year that Austin is cold. I packed all my winter clothes…
Lupe says
My grandmother made bread by hand every week. When it was still warm, she would rub the outside with butter all over. She said it helped the bread keep longer. I do this with my bread machine baking. it seems to help it keep from getting stale.
Francesca says
my mom also makes read and the prices for bread it ridiculous here in Canada.
it’s cold in Toronto as well, even though we have the heater on its still cold in the house. I’ve been layering up cosy sweaters and sleepers/socks
Inés Heinz says
All you guys with -40C – let me tell you my sad, sad tale. I have three chili pepper plants I’m overwintering and it got so cold in my atrium that one died! Yes, the temp got below 14C! It was awful! Just kidding. Wells, not about the plant because it really did die, but this winter hasn’t been very cold where we are – nestled just 60km/40miles east of San Francisco. We finally turned on our heater a week ago.
Matguyo says
Thank you for using Celsius as well! We have the same weather here in Denmark and I always think I am lucky that I have a desk job I can do from home when the need arises.
And thank you for the book recommendation. I might dig my bread machine out from the depths of my basement and try some recipes.
Nat says
Thank you for “translating” the temperature into Celsius 🥰
I know that I could have learned it by now, but I’m always struggling to remember the math of converting. I read nearly all my books in English and every time when there is an information about the weather I’m just like “ok 40F?… hm… the protagonist wears a jacket and a scarf… in I assume it’s cold”… and then I move on reading without ever checking what temperature it actually is 😂
Gayle says
I was just talking about getting out my bread maker again yesterday, and today I read this. Clearly fate is intervening and I better obey.
Patrice says
I’ll have to try your bread recipe. My favorite from Beth H. is the Dakota bread, lots of seeds inside. My husband makes most of the bread; I’m in charge of the apple pie, but I don’t have any of Kate’s magic apples.
Susan Ann Tipton says
Completely understand about living in the south during the cold. Our house is cinder block with ceramic tile floors which is great in ten months of the year as it holds cold, but not the best in winter. My dogs are wearing coats indoors. My bird is huddled next to his heated buddy warmer.
And then there are the plants. Why do we grow tropical plants knowing that we will experience freezes? Cover the plants, uncover the plants, cover the plants, uncover the plants,… That is our winter outside. Living in a climate where you wear shorts one day then a parka two days later and then back to shorts has its own endless issues.
Kami says
lol, reading this post while my newly acquired bread machine (tefal) is making a kugel-something-german-sounding, basically a brioche with raisins and almonds. house smells nice 🙂
I love the ease of making bread in the machine, and that I don’t have to run the big oven for a small loaf. I don’t love the hole at the bottom, but I can live with it.
Thank you for the picture of the bread book! I’ll buy it when I get bored with the few recepies that came with the machine.
Elizabeth KW says
I’ve had that cookbook since it first came out, to go with a brand new bread machine. It’s truly excellent! But you remind me that there are many recipes that I never got around to. Might be time to try a new one.
Kim says
So fortunate to be in Florida where cold is in the 50 still inspired baking today though scones to go with the blueberries I purchased and rosemary cheddar biscuits for the vegetable soup I made. Hope you warm up a bit aoon
Lacey Pfeffer says
I just stoped reading Magic Breaks (not the first read obviously cause nothing short of death could have made me stop reading any of the books the first read though) to read your post. Clearly the BDH in me is restless this week. Kate always does what I wish I could do, just kick everyone’s ass until the all the people we love are safe.
Mary Cruickshank-Peed says
I live on an island (that looks like a peninsula) in Lake Superior (not Canada, Michigan). it’s currently 7 degrees here. We’ve had 53 inches of snow since last Friday, and are having a tiny sunny break until tonight when the snow machine starts again.
It’s 1130am.and my house has finally warmed up enough to get a shower(70 degrees)
why do I live here? because we NEVER get weather in the 100 degree range. :).
Plantlust says
I will top that story.
You haven’t lived until you are awoken at 5am on Sunday (this would be Jan 14th) during a Polar Vortex by tiny mewling. Still not quite awake, you yell at foster dog#2, Retro what-the-heck it’s 5am!?!
Then the brain cells kick in…wait a minute it’s tiny mewling. Retro is vocally louder. Bolt upright you check at the end of the MASTER BED and foster dog#1 is now giving birth. There are 2 black potatoes.
Frantic texting occurs, to the rescue vet, to the rescue coordinator and to your boss. Later, the rescue vet & his vet tech call from their car. “Congratulations! How many do you have?”
What do you mean how many? There’s 2!
“She’s a bigger dog. They can have 10-14” Grace/Rosa is (best guess) Border Collie/Great Pyr mix.
A quick check reveals 6. SIX potatoes!
“She could have more thru Sunday but don’t let her outside. If she has any puppies outside they will freeze solid. She could also give birth into Monday.”
Rescue coordinator – “Congratulations. Funny story, Grace/Rosa was boarded at a vet for 2 days before coming up to us.”
Me – CLEARLY, they missed something!
I pulled the plastic kiddy pool in from the garage, got a bunch of towels and a new featherbed off of FB Marketplace. Total count is 6 potatoes. 5 black and one tan/brown. The tan/brown one and one black one are at LARGE potato size. The other 4 are at medium potato size.
sigh
Moderator R says
Awwww, polar puppies! Who says potatoes won’t grow in the Arctic 😀
Michelle says
My son’s favorite bread recipe is a dark wheat and rye blend with espresso and molasses in it. A meal on it own. Delicious with butter.
VeleenFire says
I have the same book, there are a number of recipes that I love from it! But I have not tried the one listed here, thank you for the recommendation. My family always asks me to make the rye bread from that book for get togethers and holidays.
Karalee says
You always share recipes with us, so I thought I would share mine with you.
For a 1 lb loaf of bread machine bread:
2 1/4 cups of bread flour
2 Tbs of King Arthur Instant Sourdough Flavor
1 tsp salt
1 Tbs Buttermilk blend (the powdered stuff you get in the baking lane of HEB)
1 Tbs butter
1 cup skim milk microwaved for 40 seconds to take the chill off
2 Tbs honey
1 heaping tsp yeast
I am only able to get the King Arthur Instant Sourdough Flavor through mail order. I’m not trying to shill for King Arthur, but if you want to buy other stuff to get free shipping, I like the parchment baking sheets and the cookbooks. You can make this bread without the Instant Sourdough Flavor, and it is still good, just not as good.
Ilona says
Oooooo! Thank you! Much appreciated!
Renee says
We have had polar vortex in Southern Indiana also and I hate it. We have horses so it takes longer to take care of them in weather you just want to stay in and read a book ! I needed comfort so I reread Sweep of the Heart. Thanks so much for my comfort read!! I love all your series but for some reason the innkeeper series is my top for rereading over & over when in need for something exciting but also comforting.