Rare sighting, and the bread that snow brings on

After the forecast talked about occasional snow showers, and I planned on an expedition today, it suddenly changed its mind and was all about heavy snow all day, stay off the roads, and generally whatever you planned, change it.

I looked out later and saw this rare sighting.  A snowman-building monkey!  Now I'd heard of tool-using animals, but this seemed pretty advanced to me.  The resolution of the pic is poor, but so are the pix of Nessie and the Abominable Snowman, so I'm in good company.

And my plans for outdoor things changed to realizing I had no bread in the house, and needed to bake.  For a change from the one giant loaf pattern, I broke out the little pans, and made four loaves, easier to cut, with them.  

 
The reason they look so craggy artisanal, is that I changed the recipe.  Again. This time part wheat, part white, a lot of oatmeal.  Then I had to add another cup of flour, because oatmeal tends to absorb the liquid but not go doughy.   And it worked fine.  Came out with a very nice crumb, that's the inside bit, technical term, and a wonderful crust.  It's the oatmeal that makes it look all Scottish. If bread could talk, this would sound Glaswegian, like Handsome Partner.  And there are poppy seeds on top.

I was shipped these pans years ago by lovely friends who wanted to help me during the caregiving years and save my having to use precious minutes out shopping instead of getting a break when I had a couple of hours respite.  I love them, and think of Carol and of Mare every time I get them out.

If I have the energy left, and am not spinning, weaving or reading Barbara Pym or watching Jeeves and Bertie, I will make the banana chutney this evening from the Bill Veach book.  

The only drawback to reading is that I can't spin or weave or knit or cook, while I do it.  And I haven't found any Pym on audiobook.  There's a gap in that market.  I bet at least a dozen or so people would like it..