What is the best way to keep home made bread fresh for the few days after it
is baked and before the entire loaf is eaten?

Are there other problems to watch out for besides drying out (becoming
stale) or becoming moldy? I've noticed that sometimes the flavor changes for
the worse and/or it begins to smell "off". Is there a way to prevent that?
(I've been keeping the bread in a plastic bag).


Thanks,