Gratitude Post #2: I am grateful for today, a baking day.  My family is having a hearty laugh as Saturday I made 2 pans of spinach lasagna, roasted a 13 lb turkey, made 5 vegetable side dishes (long story), and of course, a gravy boat.  As grateful as I am for our family celebration this weekend, Saturday was not my baking day.

A couple of weeks ago my “Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day” arrived.  Anxiously I’ve looked for a few moments (about 5 minutes) to make my first batch.  I kept asking Sara if she’d like to make bread, but every time, she has said, “No, not today.”  This morning Sara announced, “TODAY we make bread Mommy.” ALRIGHTY THEN.

I’m sure I’ll speak more on this book in the future, but the basic premise is that these recipes are “make aheads”.  For bread?!  You ask incredulously.  The recipes are large and are designed to be stored in the fridge prior to baking.  Simply break off what you think you’ll use in about two days (fresh bread without a LONG list of preservatives doesn’t last long), and bake.  Our first loaf of sandwich bread looks AWESOME.

To capitalize on Sara’s sudden urge to cook, we went ahead and made a few dozen oatmeal scotchies.  We packed up a small box to take on our playdate tomorrow.  Sara was fully present through both recipes and for the first time since Christmas, seemed interested in being in the kitchen with me.  Kelly just wouldn’t engage in the bread until it started to rise.  Both girls found this day long process of double rising, FASCINATING.  They loved the texture and squealed when I let them push on the top.  Poor Kelly fell asleep before she could taste as single nugget of butterscotch.  Breakfast, I guess.  JUST KIDDING.  No cookies before 9 am at this house!  We have standards!

Lord, thank you for today.  A short year ago, my Mondays would have looked nothing like today.  I’d have made some bread, but a different kind.  The bread I made today will nourish my family instead of my bank account.  This day can never be taken away from me or Sara or Kelly.  Thank you for the million kisses and hugs the girls gave me today.  Thank you for allowing me enough time and energy to mop the kitchen floor.  Thank you for this home that smells like my grandparents’ home.  Thank you for giving me a family to cook for.  Amen.