Homemade Whole Wheat Bread

I absolutely adore the smell of homemade bread! We have been told over and over and over that whole wheat is good for you, so I thought that I would combine those two wonderful things and post a simple yet ever-so-important recipe for . . . . whole wheat bread.

Whole Wheat Bread
1 tbsp. dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
2 cups hot water
2 tbsp. shortening
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup dry milk
7–8 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup cold water
Mix yeast and warm water and set aside. Pour hot water over shortening, sugar, and salt. Mix dry milk with 1 cup whole-wheat flour, add hot water mixture and 1 cup of cold water, and then add yeast mixture. Add remaining 6 to 7 cups of whole wheat flour. Knead until smooth and elastic, and let rise until almost double in size. Then time as follows: Let rise 40 minutes, punch down; let rise 20 minutes, punch down; let rise 20 minutes, punch down.
Shape into 3 loaves and place in 3 small greased bread pans. Allow to rise until double in size. Bake at 375° for 40 to 45 minutes. Makes 3 loaves.