Bread

Autumn is in the air.

It's still hot.  (Goodness, it is still hot.  Walking up to school pick-up today felt like midsummer still.)  But there is a crispness in the air in the early morning that says September is here.  This evening I saw, tiny in the sky, a flock of birds flying in a "V", south for the winter.

And I want to bake again.

So, today, I did.  I made this french bread, for the first time ever.  

It was remarkably easy.  (Except the kneading part--wow, I need more upper-body strength.)  Because it was my first time with any recipe like this, I was nervous about a lot of parts, especially the rising and the baking.  I lingered in the kitchen, babysitting the dough, watching the oven.  

But it was worth it!  The loaves turned out so beautifully, and, even better, every single person in my house (except the baby) LIKES IT.

Let me rephrase that:  My children, especially, LOVE it.  My children, who almost invariably turn up their noses at my baking/cooking, like my bread.  We've already eaten two loaves, and because we gave one to a friend, we only have one left.  Perhaps I will bake again tomorrow.

Success!