Today I am…
… Baking bread to be ready for when I won't have time to bake, but will be feeding lots of large, bread-eating people. Today it was spent-grain bread. Already in the freezer: Italian bread (3 loaves) and sandwich bread (2 loaves) and rolls (30).
Every day I make some…
But we still have to eat.
I am wondering why I don't look at my crafting books earlier in the year…
… And still needing to bake for the girls' Bible Study.
… Just about finished with the stockings…
… Needing to get to more crafting…
…Remembering that I have jingle bells…
What are you doing today?
Jennifer H. says
Leila, today I baked your wonderful chocolate cake! You should hear my kids. They are so excited. I don't often bake homemade cakes, but you inspired me. Thank you. Merry Christmas. I so enjoy your blog.
CarlynB says
I baked a loaf of oatmeal bread today and wrapped a few presents.
Sonja says
I've been doing way too much and sleeping way too little, so I reserved today for hanging around the house and recovering and making a list of the things that I have left to do. For tomorrow, when I'll be rested. Well, rested-ish.
priest's wife says
…wishing I prepared a BIT more….but it will be fine- right?
Sonja says
I've been doing way too much and sleeping way too little, so I reserved today for hanging around the house and recovering and making a list of the things that I have left to do. For tomorrow, when I'll be rested. Well, rested-ish.
Joy says
Finishing school, baking Christmas cookies, ordering a few Christmas presents, wrapping a few presents, and preparing to decorate the tree tonight or tomorrow
Amy says
Today was a day for errands. I wanted to post earlier that I like your stockings and congratulations for achieving your goal of getting them all finished. I think the ribbon on the top is lovely. The bread's look delicious 🙂
joy says
Would you post your recipe for the sandwich bread? I have lots of trouble getting the bread the right consistency and size.
And thanks for all the practical tips on caring for a big family. They are priceless to me!
sarah says
Hi! I've been painting the insides of bathroom cabinets, washing laundry, running to the bank, reading, and putting off picking up around the apartment. The kitchen is somewhat clean though, so I'm off the hook for the rest of the evening and free to enjoy the Christmas parties tonight!
Ginger says
Your bread looks so wonderful. My DH just came home and brought another company gift of the most wonderful english muffins I have ever seen. There are mini muffins, and cranberry and orange, honey wheat and my favorite, the old fashioned. So i don't have to bake, not like I was anyway.
I am returning five gifts, and going with less material and more thought. I always get burned out right about now, however it's date night, and my hubby came home early to take the kids out shopping for my gifts and for a few moments I have peace and quiet…..I crave quiet in my life.
Kh. Patty says
Helping my sick toddler recover, yet again. Beginning to catch it myself. Making lists. Or was that yesterday? Today I seem to be just trying to wake up and making food. Is it almost dinner-time already? That's what happens to you after three nearly sleepless nights with a toddler coughing and crying and trying to nurse when there's not much milk left!!
And what is that cork-filled thing next to your loaves of bread? It looks familiar.
_Leila says
Patty, it's a trivet the Chief made with corks. I think I've had it in pics before. It's cute!
Emily G says
Washing the kitchen floor (I am 34 weeks pregnant and I let it go waaay too long for that reason…), doing laundry, making some more Christmas cookies for the freezer, working on my daughter's Christmas dress. Your bread looks delicious.
Lisa G. says
Ah, I thought you were going to do a class on bread. Ah, me. You obviously understand the subject thoroughly.
Today I worked, but as soon as I can, I will make up a more or less schedule of what I need to be doing for each day in the coming week. Just thinking about that schedule makes me feel better!
Lindsey says
I moved my desk (and the mountain of stuff on top of it!) from the music room into the office in preparation for the Christmas tree tomorrow! And I've been doing lots of paper sorting, filing and organizing of stuff. I'm feeling a little more ready every day!
Rachel says
Baked bread, cookies for my husband's work Christmas party which I then delivered, trying to keep the toy chaos to a minimum, making sure there are clean pants and underwear for my toddler (toilet training, blech), trying to decided what gifts to get for the birthday party we are attending tomorrow. Oh, and watching the Christmas tree like a hawk after mice. Only my mice are a eighteen month old and a three year old determined to see how many ornaments they can yank off before I catch them.
Emily says
Not much in terms of preparation. But I did laundry and cleaned the bathroom and the kitchen and made dinner and bread…(oh, I made bread! But that is normal in our house, not “preparation”!) 🙂
Thankfully, at this point I don't feel like I need to do tons of preparation for Christmas. Keeping up with the dailies, making sure that presents get bought or made (done now!!) and paying attention to advent is enough with three littles. I'm content.
priest's wife says
for those who want to make bread- I endorse “Artisan Bread in 5 minutes a Day” 100%!!! My 11 year old daughter makes the dough and I put it in the oven (you need steam- so only an adult should do it)— all the recipes we have tried have been winners
Betsy M says
I am now gluten free but in my glutonous days I loved that book. My sister could make bread so pretty with that method that she always had people asking if they could just buy bread from her.
Dixie says
Betsy,
I too am gluten-free. But the new book by the same people, “Healthy Bread in 5 Minutes a Day” or something like that, does have some GF breads in it! I haven't tried baking any, but they have a variety that one does not often see among GF breads. I bet you'd love them!
Elena says
Too much to say, but I do want to know…Is the bread making cost-effective or just w-a-y better! It looks beautiful!
Rachel says
I like honest-to-goodness real food for my family so I make my whole whole wheat flour bread. The recipe is super simple, no kneading needed and the only ingredients are flour, salt, yeast and water. I used to buy bread from a bakery to find a loaf that didn't have any unpronounceable ingredients and paid $4.50 a loaf. I estimate my homemade bread costs maybe a dollar a loaf.
_Rosie says
Elena, it's both!
Dawn says
Taking care of a sick little boy, wrapping presents, planning dd's birthday party (right after Christmas) and baking banana bread to take to the neighbors.
Blessings,
Dawn
Camille says
Finishing up a pair of mitts that need to go out on Monday and wondering why I wasn't better organized this week. My husband is a teacher and today was his last day for the year so I'm really looking forward to more organization with his help next week! How is Christmas ONLY a week away!?
justamouse says
Ohh the recipe! We are a total bread making family, here.
I am making bracelets, about 8 hats in the past two weeks, more bracelets, and I just now started another hat. I should post pictures, I'm especially proud of the bracelets (I used to work in a custom jewelry shop, and haven't made anything in years so this is making me very happy -I've wanted to for years but always put it aside for other things-I forgot how much I enjoyed it). My Rite of Acceptance is this weekend, too! I'm wretchedly nervous.
Faustina says
Today I went to my part-time outside job (where I sell nursing bras and baby carriers and help moms feel good about mothering, I love it, and I can bring my kids when I have to), and I ordered a few presents online. When I got home, I cuddled with the toddler (very important), made dinner, did some laundry and I've just finished sorting through a big box of hand-me-down Playmobil toys into three boxes ready to be wrapped and given to my kids. But yesterday, yesterday was really good. I made 16 pints of Rhubarb Ginger Butter (from rhubard that I harvested for free from a forested area in my city last year) to gift to various family members and teachers. I also made tags and labels for all of the preserves that I plan on giving this year. Oh, you've reminded me, I should stir up a batch of bread dough and let it ferment on the counter overnight. Thanks.
freckled hen says
I am up early getting ready for the day before my children are awake. Today will be a baking day for me, nothing as glamorous as your bread though. I would love a piece toasted with a cup of tea to get my day started!
Betsy M says
I read this post yesterday while nursing baby and waiting for company to arrive. We had our parish priests over for the first time and just had the most wonderful evening. Before hand I was in a bit of a panic with good company and four small children. It you are ever serching for a topic to write on, I would love to hear some details concerning entertaining with small kids. Little stuff like how to serve the food – buffet, family style, etc.? Or how to keep the children from accosting the guests (showing them all of their “stuff”) but yet not looking like they are brow beaten and fearful of saying anything. My children tend to be the accosting type. 🙂
Anyway, your pictures all are beautiful. I am driving to my parents farm for the weekend where we will be baking and singing and having a grand time. Hopefully. That is the plan at least. Have a good weekend!
_Leila says
Betsy, I will do a post on that — in the meantime, remember that you are preparing for the next decade when your children will be well mannered and interested and interesting. So guests can endure a little from them.Â
The trick is to make it a ritual on their part. Greeting, offering, serving — giving each one a task that is aimed at making people comfortable (NOT calling attention to themselves, but thinking of others, which again, takes time).
Even a two-yo can pass napkins. Then they can show their toy. And then they can find something quiet to do elsewhere, having found that they actually have had enough! My children were usually happy to go find their legos or what have you, conscious of having found their place in the whole event.
Don't react to their behavior — plan ahead and think about your goal, and rely on your guests' good will to cover up any over-exuberance! (In the case of shy children, it overcomes their reluctance, giving them security in knowing WHAT TO DO.).
womanofthehouse says
Hmmmm . . . that bread looks yummy, and I love the plaid stockings! Well done!
Margo says
I love your green and red cabinet!
Today I helped the children make cards for their church and school teachers. Everything else was ordinary Saturday: sheets, baking, cleaning, sewing.
Emily says
I read your posts frequently, and I have heard much (from you and other homemaking blogs) about the concept of “decluttering”. I kept thinking, “I don't have that problem. I don't have clutter. I just need to clean my floors and All Will Be Well.” So today, in order to spruce up the place IN ORDER TO clean, I started putting things away–you know, removing “extra” things from bookcase tops and my desk…organizing the fridge magnets…putting cloth napkins into a basket instead of stuffing them into a little nook on a shelf…finally putting away all those things on my stairs that have become part of the furniture…Then, suddenly, my house looked, well, CLEAN. Forget the nasty floors that never get done. I had ACCOMPLISHED something! “Stuff” is not my friend. But I'm just glad I don't have the “clutter” problem. Sheesh!
Rochelle says
Made two loaves of sandwich bread (one to eat with supper, one to take to in-laws Thursday). Lots of laundry for our trip and packing. Crochet this (http://www.petitepurls.com/Spring11/spring2011_c_littlesister.html)” target=”_blank”> http://www.petitepurls.com/Spring11/spring2011_c_littlesister.html)” target=”_blank”>(http://www.petitepurls.com/Spring11/spring2011_c_littlesister.html) little pink hat for my daughter's Christmas gift. Napping to give the pregnant body a break. 🙂 Still do do: a reasonably clean bathroom and fold laundry. So glad I'm done shopping!!!
Rochelle says
Speaking of things to write on, Aunt Leila, I would love to hear your thoughts about *ahem* “MMO/Preschool.” Our church has a “great one” that “everybody” loves, etc. and I get this sense that if I don't send my 4 year old next year she'll be “missing” out on friendships/fun/good stuff, etc. Most of her new friends currently attend (we're new to town). It's twice a week from 9-2. (Messes up baby's nap time.)
Back story: My husband and I were both homeschooled, I taught at a Charlotte Mason school before she was born and we both want to homeschool all our children. I also have an almost 2 year old little boy and a baby girl due in May. Pro for school: Worried I won't have enough energy to challenge big sis when I'm tired with the baby and toddler. Con for school: Worried that we'll miss our big helper and that we might create new character problems, plus have issues with her wanted to go to school when we want to HS.
I'm hesitating because both my mom and mother-in-law seem to think it would be a good idea. ?? A friend had a suggestion that perhaps Kindermusik and/or a playgroup could fill the need for social interaction.
Great words of wisdom!?!