~~ My hisband and I made this bread our first New year's eve together, and like to give a loaf of this away to people who come for dinner.~~

2 1/4 cups milk

1/3 cup honey

1/4 cup shortening

2 1/2 tsp. salt

2 packages dry yeast

1/2 cup warm water ( 105-115 degrees)

2 cups regular oats, uncooked

6-6 1/2 cups flour

1. In a saucepan, combine milk, honey, shortening, and salt. heat until shortening melts. Cool to around 105 degrees.

2. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water; let it stand five minutes. Add milk mixture, oats, and 2 cups flour; mix well. Stir in enough of remaining flour to make a soft dough.

3. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic. Place in a well greased bowl, turning to grease all sides; cover and let rise in a warm place about an hour.

4. punch dough down; cover and let stand 10 minutes. Divide dough in half. Roll each half into 15x9 inch rectangle. Roll up jelly roll fashion starting with the narrow side. Place loaves in two well greased lofpans.

5. Cover and let rise in a warm place about 40 minutes or until doubled in size. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or until loaves sound hollow when tapped. Cover with aluminum foil the last 15 minutes of baking to prevent excessive browning. Remove loaves from pans and cool on wire racks.