Are you like me? There’s nothing like a cold day to make me want to bake.
As the house empties of children, and I continue the goal of staying more fit, I find myself not indulging in a day of baking quite so often.
But even as I have backed off of this high caloric habit, I refuse to let it go completely. There is freedom in hanging onto life’s simple pleasures, choosing moderation instead of all or nothing when it comes to forming healthy habits.
And there’s nothing like the aroma of bread baking to make a house feel practically magical.
Oh the joy of a sprinkle of flour across a clean counter top and the feel of dough pliable in my hands! My absolute, very top favorite dough sensation is the feel of holly bread being shaped beneath my fingertips. (Challah bread for the more precise.)
Before winter gives way to spring I must celebrate this simple pleasure.
The only problem with this photo series is I forgot to get a picture as the bread was pulled all warm and golden brown from the oven. (“Look at that! Another example of brown that I LOVE,” she thinks as she remembers her last post on earth tones.)
I guess you’ll have to take my word for it. It looks–and tastes–heavenly.
As you continue on the weight loss journey–or the journey of life–what simple pleasures do you embrace?
Simple pleasures: Challah bread
Tagged: beauty, celebrating, embracing abundance, food, freedom, growing stronger, joy, simple pleasures
Paula's Blog 
One of my simple pleasures is feeding the birds and watching them feed. It always relaxes me and makes me smile.
That sounds wonderful. My appreciation for birds has grown as I listen to their songs on my walks . . . We had a bird feeder for a while, but got tired of the squirrels stealing their food and gave up . . .
I remember my grandmother kneading dough and making home made noodles. That always meant nona’s delicious noodle soup was soon to follow! One of my simple pleasures is watching the cardinals eat of the birdfeeder and perch in the trees, waiting for their turn to eat. Their brilliant red feathers against the snow crested trees and shrubs is beautiful. 🙂
Love the picture you painted of both your grandmother’s food and the cardinals. My boys love homemade noodles so much in homemade chicken soup that they have become willing to help me cut them and put them into the soup. That’s the time-consuming, monotonous part for me, so I’m glad it’s worth it to them.
Life is all about the simple things for me right now. I find joy in walking, seeing the little changes Mother nature makes each day. There is joy in my garden, cutting and tidying in preparation for new growth as well as planting seeds for food and flowers. Then again in cooking healthy meals for my family. More joy comes from writing, sharing the little things I find and bringing a little smile to others’ faces.
Beautiful, Marie! And one of my simple pleasures is reading about yours (and seeing the gorgeous pictures) on your blog. BTW, that flower is not too showy for me. I’d love to have it in my garden. lol