Bread

Just a note:  Our computer is battling a virus.  How about that memory, when we didn't talk about machines as if they were people?  It appears to now be on the mend, but in case it suffers from a relapse, just know the infection is to blame for the hit and miss posts.     

Russell helped me make bread yesterday. Every one's recent posts with pictures of beautiful loaves of bread put the fire under me to dust off my equipment and put it to good use. I made sure Russell had the full experience that I remember having as a child with my mom. The wheat grinder took off like a noisy jet and the memory of many interrupted morning episodes of Smurfs came right back to me.

I had to see if Russell would play along with the "chewing gum" game my mom would keep us entertained with as she baked. We'd put a spoonful of wheat in our mouths and suck and suck till it was soft, and chew and chew until the gluten started to work its stick together magic. After a good long while we had our own chewing gum!....disgusting chewing gum......but we were easily impressed children. Clearly Nintendo was not allowed at our house.  When Russell put a spoonful of wheat in his mouth he spit it right out. Kids these days!!!

Licking the bowl was always the coveted task whenever my mom was cooking. I don't recall having any competition, though, for getting to clean out the bread mixing bowl. I loved me some good ol' bread dough.  I also learned the effects of yeast this way, 'cause it would work its bubbly action in me all day. A little gross.  Sorry.  ;)

I don't think I had a sandwich on any other bread but homemade whole wheat until I was well into my teenage years.  This wasn't something I bragged about or even appreciated.  We were taught that the Sacrament was special, but getting to eat that little piece of Wonder bread each week was something I'd secretly look forward to. 

I must have needed a few years of distance from these crumbly sandwich, feeling like homemade bread meant we were poor, not being able to squish my bread into a ball like my friends could, kinds of memories. 

Enough time has passed.  My freezer..... and my own kid's memories....and their bellies....they're ready to be filled with this good stuff.

p.s.- smaller loaf pans have been added to this summer's garage sale "to find" list for sure.  These guys are gigantic!