BABIES AND BREAD

We are driving to see Archie. I can’t wait to kiss his chubby cheeks and all I can think of to describe what I’m feeling is when the whole house is permeated with the scent of fresh baked bread.

There are some things that bypass our brains and directly access an emotion that feels like what we imagine Heaven to be.

This is where you enter the scene to find me driving and obsessing over babies and bread.

And this is where I need you to imagine an adorable picture of my grandson where the elegant image of baguettes appears. Because [now I am going to let you in on a little secret]—

You will never find an image of Archer Damon on a journal post or social media feed. Archie’s absence from a life on public display is a deliberation that preserves his little being as sacred.

I wonder if we can even imagine that there are still some things too innocent to be placed in context of all we have allowed ourselves to grow accustomed to.

It took some doing but my cell phone has been willfully lodged into the side pocket of my suede satchel and thrown over the seat just out of reach. It sounds so easy to leave my self-imposed position as Arbiter of the world’s shenanigans. My own simple march toward innocence is much harder than it seems.

Five sacred hours strapped to my seat belt and they are mine to do with as I choose. I can run to all the clamoring and noise or I can give the whole of my attention to the man sitting right next to me [stop typing, grab his wrist].

The irony of writing ‘this’ while simultaneously admonishing myself for getting caught up in all of ‘that’ is not lost on me. Yet, writing from my heart is the antithesis of the day's commotion spinning in my head. The soothing cadence of letting out the crowded words is how I enter into the presence of babies and bread.

I’ve laid awake too many hours anguishing over things I can’t control.

I’ve given away time that belongs to those I love, to people I will never meet or know.

I have allowed the actions of strangers to bring anger into my home.

I have invited the flood of speculation to erode the foundation of what I most assuredly believe.  

But this weekend I will lay on the floor and crawl with Archie. And the whole of me will remember that we were designed for participating, not observing.

I glance over at Ron and am mindful that there are those right next to us that need a loving touch. Even and especially in our own sanctuaries there is so much work to be done.

This is where transformation starts—in the one who embraces the difference between distraction and call.

Three days without a cell phone and there is this curious, insatiable part of me that wonders what earth-shaking drama I will miss. Then I imagine those big chubby cheeks. Three days to hold his tiny fingers and breathe in his heavenly scent. And I remind myself that a few short hours of touching, talking, holding, praying can change the trajectory of the whole world.

Since you can't be with Archie, here's a tasty little bread recipe instead.

Thank you, Baker Extraordinaire, Vanessa Abina, for sharing your baking secrets with us.

Easy Sourdough Recipe

⭐️

Always Measure By Weight

750g bread flour (King Arthur is a good one)

50g Whole Wheat Flour

460ml tepid water 

10g salt (kosher)

320g healthy starter 

⭐️ Mix together and knead until window pane test. Will take anywhere from 5-10 minutes depending on how you knead. 

⭐️ First rise 3-10 hrs in floured bread basket, just depends how sour you like it. (Should at least double in size)

⭐️ Flip onto parchment paper on baking tray OR place in an oiled cast iron. I like to sprinkle a good amount of corn meal underneath. Gives it a nice texture. 

⭐️ Second rise is 2-4 hrs, look up proofing test. 

⭐️ Cover dough with a good amount of flour. Use a bread lame or sharp knife and score (cut a design) on top for air to escape. Sprinkle salt on top for extra flavor. 

⭐️ Bake at 450°, if using a pan. Bake for 30 minutes, rotating halfway. For darker crust, pour a cup of water into a separate sheet pan in the oven to create steam.

Bake at 425°, if using a cast iron, place a second cast iron upside down on top of the first. Bake 15 minutes with lid on. Remove lid. Add a handful of ice to the bottom of the oven. Bake for another 20 minutes until crust is golden brown. 

⭐️ Allow to cool until crust is soft before cutting.

Bon Appétit!