Yesterday, I baked my first loaf of bread in ages. It felt so good. I don't understand this current hoopla over no-knead bread. What's the point? For myself, kneading the bread is the point, or a good portion of the point. Baking bread is a spiritual practice for me. The elements of nature come together to create sustenance. You have your flour which comes from the Earth (the flour itself is a product of the elements); you add some water; the action of the yeast fills the dough with air, and you bake it with fire. Kneading the dough is meditative, soothing. To feel the dough come alive in your hands as the yeast and the gluten start to do their work is awe inspiring.
I'm trying to take more time each day to be present in the moment, and to contemplate my creative life. I realize it is so much more than just how many flowers I crochet or pictures I paint. It's an approach to life. It's my life that I am creating.
It is these moments of smelling the bread baking or seeing a ray of sun slip through the window that make up a blissful life. I have a terrible tendency to rush around, crossing off my to-do list, in an obsessive attempt at creating the life I want.
When if I just stop, be here now, I see that I have the life I want. It's all around me.
Just a little woo woo to help you get your weekend started;) I hope your weekend is full of bliss and love!
Your bread looks delish. I made some simple baking powder biscuits a few days back and it was so nice to watch the butter melt and then spoon on loads of jam. Yum! (Hope you have a swell w'end.)
ReplyDeleteI have never baked bread.
ReplyDeleteWell, other than the frozen kind.
But my Grandma used to make the BEST bread and rolls.
I loved to watch her knead the dough......
Very profound post!
Dear Bobbi,
ReplyDeleteAm I remembering right? That you used to respond to the comments that people made at your blog ... if so, then I am missing that touch.
I like the illusion of becoming friends with some of the people whose blogs I follow. But maybe instead I should check in with the reality fairy and see things as they are instead ... that this, as with many things, is a dance of light and not necessarily a deepening.
sorry if this is a rant, not meant to be that rather just a question and a sharing,
Jan
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ReplyDeleteI love this post. I love to make bread and appreciate the art part of it.
ReplyDeleteoh Yum. I am a huge fresh bread eating fan. have never baked any before... xox
ReplyDeleteBobbi, Your words describing the making of your bread are beautiful! I never understood the whole "kneading the bread" thing... I always thought it just took too much time. I would like to try to make some kneaded bread now. At some point... I'm sure here in the NW there will be a gloomy day that finds me at home.
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