tidbit Tuesday!

You get a bonus post this week for being so patient with me and my erratic and unpredictable offerings. Tidbit Tuesday turns out not to be a regular occurrence but instead something I do once in a very great while when I want to share things that don't exactly fall under the "art, craft, design" theme.

So here goes:

Bread!
My friend gave me an old issue of Grit Magazine's "Country Skills Series" and this one was "Guide to Homemade Bread" (circa February 2013). And in there was an article about a method where you let your yeast rise 12 to 18 hours and then bake the loaf inside a cast iron pot with a lid in the oven. I don't think this is a new invention in the bread-baking world but it was new to me. The week I got the magazine I made 3 loaves! I tried the whole wheat, the parmesan pesto, and the cinnamon roll breads. Amazing! Delicious! I feel so fancy! And did you see that loaf up there? Isn't it photo-worthy?

Mail from all over the world!
I am a huge fan of old-fashioned snail mail. The design of the stamps, lovely stationery, a hand-written note – all of it. I think it is one of the most delightful gifts you can give a person! So when I read about postcrossings.com I was super excited!

You set up an account, send out five postcards to the addresses they supply you (other members) and then wait. The people you send postcards to will log it on the site (there is a special code you write on the card). After the card you sent is received, then your address will pop up for another user and you will get a postcard in the mail. So ideally you get one back for every one you send. Very festive! I sent postcards to Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, China, and Germany. I just got an email this afternoon that my postcard to the Ukraine arrived. The woman who received it wrote me a little note of thanks.

Interesting little shop in Grand Rapids – Have Company!
A friend just told me about this place. I haven't had a chance to go there in person but it looks pretty cool. I am enamored with this print of the full moon. For all the rest of you, online ordering is available.

Facing down my fears

Ladies and gentlemen, I have something important to tell you.

I made my own pie crust!

All by my big-girl self following the instructions in Martha Stewart's lovely book: Martha Stewart's New Pies and Tarts: 150 Recipes for Old-Fashioned and Modern Favorites. You will note there is no photo of said pie (rhubarb crumble and it was very delicious). That is because the pie is not Pinterest perfect or Martha marvelous. But it was yummy and the crust functioned as a crust ought to (well, mostly, I should have made the edge a bit higher).

So just think, I've started sewing and quilting, I've gotten over my fear of yeast and happily bake two loaves of bread every week, and now I made my own pie crust. Seriously, people, what can be next for me?! I can only imagine!

On to new creative adventures with a brave heart, an inquiring mind, and daring fingers!

What I am baking…

No, this isn't going to become a food blog. But I have to tell you about this recipe because I love it so. For the longest time I thought I could not bake with yeast. Just like for the longest time I thought I could not sew.

Then one day I saw this recipe in the newspaper and saved it. Six months later I bought supplies. Another year later (I am not kidding!) I actually give it a whirl. And it works! And it tastes good! And there is much happy toast-making in my home!

Christmas gifts from the kitchen: bread of the month club

This year I gifted my in-laws with membership to "bread of the month club." So every month of 2013 they will receive a fresh loaf of bread baked by yours truly. I have seen a lot of fun "of-the-month" clubs advertised in catalogs and online however, I think the homemade touch is especially nice. Plus, you get to show your love all year long.

So take a moment to think about what you might be good at and who might appreciate the fruits of your labor. Then give the unexpected, homemade, and loving gift of a membership!