Happy Thursday- oh wait, it’s Friday today!! (Such is my life.) My blogging has been a little more prolific lately, thanks to the inspiration of some other, BEAUTIFUL crafty Mama blogs that I’ve been addicted to. When I read and see what inspires them and the parts of their lives that are so beautiful, it makes me want to share with you those things in my life that are beautiful and unique. We’ve got a lot of that going on around here. Sadly, though, it seems I have lost a lot of my readership. And, admittedly, we do this blogging thing to stay connected with our friends and family on the other side of the big pond (AKA the Atlantic). But, I have resolved to continue to write as long as I am inspired. So, check in and say hello when you read something here that makes you smile.
I want to tell you about my bread today, but before I can do that, I have to start the story where it begins…. with my kindred friend, Jaime. She’s the one that taught me, several years back, that cooking with natural foods, instead of processed foods, just tastes better and can be more fun too. It is with Jaime that I baked my first loaf of wheat bread in my kitchen on New Kent Highway in VA. We made it using the recipe right off the side of the King Arthor wheat flour bag. Jaime is amazing in the kitchen (and in just about every other way as well), and her food tastes better because she’s not afraid to take the long road for the sake of taste.
It took more than a year of living here, in West Africa, to figure out that making wheat bread here is no problem. Amina and Moumouni (my helpers) know where to buy the wheat berries in the market. They bring them home and we wash them and lay them out on the table to dry. Then we sift through the wheat with our hands and pick out as much of the- non wheat items- that we can find. After that they take it to the mill. Around here every neighborhood has one. The wheat flour comes back to me hot (literally) from the mill.
I have an amazing bread machine from France. Getting the machine to me was a combined effort. It was paid for by a sweet friend who wanted to bless us with some 220 appliances from France. My friends Helen and Danika bought it in France and carried it in Helen’s suitcase back to America. When we were home for Nathaniel’s birth we brought it back with us to Niger. I have taught Amina to use the machine, and she really enjoys making bread for our family. We all get so much joy out of the sounds and smells that fill the house while the bread is baking.
For my birthday, Krystal gave me a cutting board that was made by her friend/mentor/father figure, Dan Hawley. I have been LOVING it and using it as a bread board. My bread knife was a wedding present from my friend Faith. That was back before I ever thought I would be making home made bread, but God knew.One of my crafty blogger friends posted some pictures of bread bags that she made. I caught the bug and have been making them for the families here that I bake bread for.
The joy in this bread overflows from our house. It is such a community effort, and it is blessing so many. I’ve been making bread for the other families in our mission and now there are some women (friends of friends) that are asking if they can buy bread from me too. Its goodness is so basic, so wholesome, so tasty. And it reminds me of our life here. Simple. Beautiful. Hot *chuckle, chuckle*. Satisfying.
I read EVERY single one of your blog entries…don’t stop writing them!! You and your life are amazing and I love hearing all of the details and seeing the pics. Big hugs to you!!
I love the pictures of the bread process, and I can’t wait to taste it in a few weeks. I’ve never heard of the bread bag concept, being the plastic-minded American that I am. They’re beautiful.
xxxooo
Mom
First of all, I would like to reiterate what Beth said: I read ALL of your entries and I’m forever checking for new ones so keep them coming! Second of all, you are so cute; I love that you make bread from wheat berries. That’s hardcore and sounds so yummy! I have to confess my bread-making has gone downhill since I started grad school and discovered Whole Food’s rosemary tuscan bread. But it makes me very happy that you are baking away and I wish I could be there to try some! Much love. – j
I love reading yours & Krystal’s blogs, but I never think to comment! Sorry! Bread making is awesome! And doing it the old fashioned way without the bread maching can be very terapeutic also, but I too now use a bread machine. I learned to make bread between the ages of 10-12 from my grandmother. Although I didn’t not do very well teaching my daughter she has taught herself and now makes all of her bread!! Glad you like the breadboard! We gave one to a friend who didn’t want to use it & “scratch” it but her mother said that using it was just adding “love marks”. So, we’re glad you’re “loving” the board! Happy Baking (and eating)!!
I read all your blog entries too. They are an inspiration (sp?) to me. As I read this one, I thought about the story of the Little Red Hen but unlike the Little Red Hen, it looks like you have lots of helpers which means lots of people to eat bread with! YUMMY!
Hey Hope! I agree with everyone else! Don’t stop writing!! It is always so fun and such a blessing to be able to see what is going on in your part of the world. Enjoy your bread! It sounds amazing!
Hope,
I have never missed reading one of your posts! I look forward to them and feel blessed by each one. I love that you have posted five in the last 13 days! Yippeeee…..
Love the quilting…
Hi Guys,
Never stop blogging. Good stuff! What kind of bread machine is that? A Zojurushi? I love my “Zo”! Keep up the good work! Love some good homeade bread. Your family is precious.
Hope and Dave
Just wanted to let you know that I check in here once a week and love seeing the pictures and the part of your life that you share. Thank you for continuing the spread God’s word and share you life to the people of Niger and this side of the pond too! keep letting God work through you!
Amy
Happy First Birthday to Nathaniel. Mrs. Wojtaszek
Dearest Hopie,
Do not, I repeat, do not ever stop writing this blog. You are an inspiration to all of us and we feel connected to you when you fill us in on your everyday life in Niger. I, for one, check back here often and am blessed by what I read every time I do. PS Send me some bread please.
haha, pls let me add my comment to everyone else’s here – I also check back here regularly and read (as far as I can tell) every post you add. LOVE IT!!! Thank you for keeping us updated on your awesome life; and I love your spirit with which you write these – very joyful, peaceful, thankful to God and for the lie He’s adundantly given. You’re still such an example to me even from so far away!
Love & miss you guys.
P.S. 12 weeks along now; energy is coming back & and sickness seems to be less frequent. Still hard to believe there’s a baby somewhere in there :-)…. as Chris says, “Just *waiting* to coming out! (insert mock evil laugh)”