Hand Made Whole Wheat Bread

1 package active dry yeast
1/4 cup water
2 1/2 cups hot water
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 tsp. salt
1/4 cup shortning
3 cups whole wheat flour
5 cups sifted all-purpose white flour

Soften active dry yeast in 1/4 cup warm water (110)c. Combine hot water sugar salt and shortning; cool to lukewarm.
Stir in whole wheat flour and 1 cup of the white flour; beat well. Stir in softened yeast. Add enough of remaining flour to make a moderatly stiff dough. Turn out on lightly floured surface; knead till smooth and satiny (10 to 12 minutes).
Shape dough in a ball; place in lightly greased bowl, turning once to grease surface. Cover; let rise in warm place till double (about 1 1/2 hrs). Punch down. Cut in 2 portions; shape each in smooth ball. Cover and let rest 10 minutes.
Shape in loaves; place in greased 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 by 2 1/2 inch loaf dishes. Let rise till double (about 1 1/4 hours). Bake in moderate oven (375degree) about 45 minutes. Cover with foil last 20 miutes, if necessary. Makes 2 loaves.

Here's an easy way to shape dough into a pretty loaf
Flatten dough in 15 by 7 inch rectangle. Roll up (start at narrow side), sealing at each turn with fingertips or edge of hand. Press down on ends of loaf with sides of hands to make 2 thin sealed strips. Fold strips under loaf as you put it in pan.