Adventures with bread

My life is absolutely hilarious. I am sure many people think that about their own lives, but we all find things funny that no one else would...you know, those inside jokes and you-had-to-be-there moments. However, I think I have some license to say that my life really IS hilarious, and if anyone knows my family, my husband, or my husband's family I think they would agree. Those people never cease to make me fall on the floor laughing.

This said, many of the most humorous moments I have are the times when I do things that make me laugh at myself. These instances happen frequently, and instead of being mad at my stupidity or embarrassed-I wore out the embarrassed title a loooooong time ago-I simply laugh it off, and then share it with Shaun (my husband), who also laughs with (at) me. Our days are filled with endless laughter and happiness, and much of that stems from something ridiculous I did or said. These moments most frequently happen when I'm trying to do any type of cooking or baking.

Today's story, however, is one of triumph, one of success! I had a rare "wow, I really nailed this" moment and to my own shock and amazement, yes, it happened in the kitchen!

I have been trying to bake my mom's bread for years. I'd say 6 or 7 to play it safe. Her dough recipe is versatile and delicious. I have used it to make pizza, cinnamon rolls, scones, rolls, monkey bread, you name it. Anything that a basic dough recipe can do, this dough somehow magically morphs into exactly what I need. And it turns out delicious every time!

Except. When. I. Try. To. Bake. A. Simple. Loaf. Of. Bread.

This is not a joke. Ever since I moved out of the house and started doing my own cooking I could not get it right.
Some of the real failures include:

~The bread didn't raise
~I forgot an ingredient
~Beautiful end pieces, then completely raw in the middle
~A totally hollow loaf of bread (this one still baffles me, it was like those disappearing marshmallow rolls everyone makes at Easter, I chose to be impressed that I pulled that off even if it was an accident.)
~Waaaay too salty
~ Tasted like you bit into a loaf of pure yeast
~Too crumbly and light to use for anything besides picking at it with your fingers

.....to name a few.

So, you'll have to excuse me for bragging.  Two days ago I once again attempted to save us money by baking loaves of bread instead of buying, and I held my breath as we pulled them out of the oven. When they were finally cooled and ready to cut into, I all but broke into tears when it sliced so perfectly that I couldn't believe it. I can only think of a handful of times when I have been more proud of myself. The long wait has ended! The curse is lifted. Now knowing my track record, there will be plenty more mishaps but right now until these loaves are gone and I have to bake new ones I am on top of the world!

Sometimes all you need is a small triumph to lift your mood and boost your self esteem. I feel like I can do anything now! All I had to do was bake a loaf of bread correctly...who knew?

For my mom's dough recipe, click here.