Why I Really Bake Bread

If I were single, I would bake bread. Why? Because it's a great way to learn something new, and because it tastes so good. I'd do it just for myself - and perhaps to impress someone else who is single.

But I'm not single.

I'm happily married with a great family, so I bake for two reasons:

1. It's fun.
2. And I can share what I bake with someone else.

Not long ago, I baked up a double batch of honey wheat. A double batch turned out four awesome loaves of golden brown goodness. We didn't need four loaves of honey wheat, but I knew that when I started.

But I hoped someone else needed a loaf or two.

On occasion I bake the same bread for a good friend. An older, single lady who gushes over each loaf I give her. However, I don't do it for the recognition (actually, she gives me candy - chocolate mint wafers). And to me, that's a fair trade. My bread for her smile.

So this last time when I baked up the double batch, I decided I would share the bread with two other ladies, again, both older and both single.

When I was young, I remember hearing and reading stories about serving and respecting my elders. That's what my parent taught us, and I remember the good feeling I had each time I reluctantly went with my father to help an older widow with her yard, or to mend a roof. My dad never took money for his service. To me, that was a great example.

The same is true for bread. Always make an extra loaf. It's fun to bake, and it's fun to give away. And someone else usually needs it more than I do.

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