For Joe Q.: Don't allow the "paste" to dry on utensils or in bowls.
Fill a bowl with water and dump your utenstils in the bowl keeping
them wet until you'e ready to wash up your stuff.
~~~
For Steve Gomes: When your loaf "pushes back" at your finger it is
still rising. When your "finger dent" stays, it's risen as much as it can.
~~~
For Steve Gomes: When does yeast go bad? When your bread won't
rise. ;-) Steve, this isn't much of a problem nowdays what with the
advances in the manufacture of yeast. Store it in the freezer and it
will probably last longer than you do.
~~~
Bob the Tarheel Baker