I've admitted to you before that I am not a baker.  And when I say that, I don't mean that I can't bake or don't enjoy it....because believe me I get hit by the baking bug every so often and I'm not half bad.  But with baking it's the whole everything has to be measured perfectly and if  I mess up there is no way to fix it thing that I don't like. It's way too much pressure for my liking, mostly because with cooking I am a perfectionist and with baking there is a fear of it not coming out just as the recipe says. 

However, there is a but here.  I do love homemade pizza crusts, and I am determined to start making homemade bread of all varieties.  The main reason for this is that I want to know what ingredients are in my bread, it's all very rustic and quite therapeutic.

There is something about the kneading that I really like.  I feel like I am channeling all of the great women who made bread with no fancy equipment, but just with love to feed their families.  They did it out of necessity, but really they had it right all along.  That is what I'm going for, I'm putting my baking fears aside, my fears of not having something come out perfect and I'm going to teach myself to bake bread.

Last week I started with a basic whole wheat everyday bread.  It turned out good, but there were some things I learned, like my air conditioner made it too cold the for the bread to rise fully on the second rise (the first rise was sooo good) right before the bread went into the oven.  So this time I will make sure it's in a warmer spot, and I will knead for longer than the last time to see if I can get a fluffier bread...these two loaves were a little dense.

It was still delicious as it came out of the oven and so naturally I slathered butter on it and had to eat a piece immediately, even though I was supposed to wait to slice it....because how are you supposed to wait an hour?

My house smelled amazing all day.  It smelled to me, of love.

At the end of many hours of prep to get two loaves of bread, my kitchen and I were completely covered in flour and I looked like I had been put through the ringer, but it was worth it.  I know each week there will be small wins and eventually when I get that perfectly baked loaf, it will feel great. 

I look forward to that sense of accomplishment and success.  For now, I will share my oops and my yeses with you and perhaps if you are a bread maker too you can share a few tips with me?!?!  This girl could use it...let me tell ya!