Quote of the Day: For the gods know I speak this in hunger for bread, not in thirst for revenge. Wm. Shakespeare, Coriolanus 

The art of bread making can become a consuming hobby, and no matter how often and how many kinds of bread one has made, there always seems to be something new to learn. Julia Child

For my Favorite Friday Photo this week, I choose bread.

I am, indeed, obsessed with bread making. I believe I inherited this gift from my mother. She was known for her bread, and buns, back in her nursing school days. We still crave those delicious home-made buns. In fact, I can imagine them, warm, with butter, and maybe a slab of summer sausage. Mmm. And, her cinnamon bread is the best. When my boys were young, we’d be driving to Grandma’s house (a three-hour drive), and as we got closer, one of them would say, “I’m hungry.”

“Oh,” I’d say. “We might have some snacks left.
“I’m hungry for Grandma’s cinnamon bread.”

Grandma helping Charlie make bread.

It’s all in the hands.

I started humming “Patta cake, patta cake.”

The art of making bread is good for the soul. You need to make the time and to be present. It requires a little planning, especially when using sourdough. I set it out the day before the day before so it warms up. I set the sponge the night before baking, get up early and add the yeast and work the dough, wait two hours, punch it down and form loaves, wait some more, then bake it. There is no better smell, or taste, than freshly bread from the oven.

Making something with your own hands is empowering. 

The other day a couple workout friends asked me if I wanted to join them in the latest fad diet (which eliminates all carbs as well as dairy and no alcohol for 30 days). I answered, “No. I am 100% sure that I don’t want to do that diet.”

I went home and baked bread. Then, I shared a loaf with a friend. 

I recently read an article on fad diets and eating disorders. All things in moderation, my friends. Don’t become so obsessed with something that you forget about the joys in life. You are beautiful the way you are.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt: What do you make with your hands that is good for the soul? Do you jump on the fad diet bandwagon? What food would you never give up?