Grandma's White Bread

Grandma's White Bread

Stir together in mixing bowl:
2 c hot water
4 T-sugar
1 1/2 T salt
3 T shortening

In small bowl, dissolve yeast into the warm water:
1/2 c lukewarm water
1 env. yeast

In first mixing bowl, stir in these two ingr.
1 1/2 c cool water
yeast mix

Into first mix, add about 3 c flour and mix with whisk until creamy. Switch to spoon. Put 4-5 cups of flour into a large bowl, making a sort of well. (prepare more flour so it will be on hand for use) pour mix into well and mix to a soft dough.
Turn out onto a floured board. working in more flour as you go, knead until the dough feels like satin. Grease your large bowl and lift the dough. Drop it into the bowl, pick up and flip. Set in a warm place to rise till it is doubled in size.
When it has risen, punch it down and divide into thirds. Fashion into loaves. Let rise once more for an hour or until risen. Bake at 375 F for 35-40 min.
Set on rack to cool.
Butter tops.