My husband makes me proud.
He knows how to make our world a little bit brighter. He cleans up after himself. He cleans up after others.
When we walk down busy Guadalupe, Ryan's eyes usually focus on two things. He makes sure that I don't drift too close to the edge of the sidewalk, and he attends to each piece of trash that blocks our walkway.
Because Guadalupe is not the most pedestrian-friendly street, I appreciate his concern with my safety. Young and often arrogant college students zoom down that roadway, with little attention to anything but the half-eaten burger in their lap or the music that they blast from their stereos.
Please. Do yourself the favor of stopping to eat. Food is meant to be enjoyed slowly. Food is meant to be savored! (Then again, if you're eating the crap that most college students stuff themselves with, perhaps you don't want to pay too much attention to your food).
But truly, I'm thankful for my husband's watchful eye. But Ryan is concerned not only with his wife's well-being, he also feels responsible for the cleanliness of our community. If he sees trash, I know he's going to squat down to pick it up. He does these small acts of giving back, day after day. I only wish I could create a grand visual representation of all the trash he's kept out of our neighborhood.
Often times we get overwhelmed when we think about all that is wrong in the world. We feel compelled to save the starving children, to curb the ceaseless exploitation of the poor, to fix our dependence on oil, to stop all these senseless wars....and yet, we end up doing none of these things.
I wish that I could be more like Ryan. I want to find the small moments in each day that I can make a difference. Be it picking up a piece of trash, writing a letter to an old friend, or making a loaf of bread for someone who has been having a rough week.
He knows how to make our world a little bit brighter. He cleans up after himself. He cleans up after others.
When we walk down busy Guadalupe, Ryan's eyes usually focus on two things. He makes sure that I don't drift too close to the edge of the sidewalk, and he attends to each piece of trash that blocks our walkway.
Because Guadalupe is not the most pedestrian-friendly street, I appreciate his concern with my safety. Young and often arrogant college students zoom down that roadway, with little attention to anything but the half-eaten burger in their lap or the music that they blast from their stereos.
Please. Do yourself the favor of stopping to eat. Food is meant to be enjoyed slowly. Food is meant to be savored! (Then again, if you're eating the crap that most college students stuff themselves with, perhaps you don't want to pay too much attention to your food).
But truly, I'm thankful for my husband's watchful eye. But Ryan is concerned not only with his wife's well-being, he also feels responsible for the cleanliness of our community. If he sees trash, I know he's going to squat down to pick it up. He does these small acts of giving back, day after day. I only wish I could create a grand visual representation of all the trash he's kept out of our neighborhood.
Often times we get overwhelmed when we think about all that is wrong in the world. We feel compelled to save the starving children, to curb the ceaseless exploitation of the poor, to fix our dependence on oil, to stop all these senseless wars....and yet, we end up doing none of these things.
I wish that I could be more like Ryan. I want to find the small moments in each day that I can make a difference. Be it picking up a piece of trash, writing a letter to an old friend, or making a loaf of bread for someone who has been having a rough week.
Quickbreads are wonderful to give as gifts. Most everyone enjoys a thick slice of a moist and sweet loaf, and they are easy enough for anyone to prepare.
I may not be aware enough to pick up all the trash that lines my walks to and from the store, but I do know how to bake.
In this way, I hope to give of myself to others. I hope to show Ryan, my family, my friends, and strangers that I care.
I wish I could send all of you a loaf of this bread. Your presence has been such a blessing in my life this past year. I cannot begin to express how your words and your gifts have impacted me. Those comments, cards, and boxes of goodies have bubbled up inside of me...and I find myself overflowing with love and gratitude for human beings around the world.
Sally Lunn Bread originated in Bath, England. There, a local woman named Sally Lunn was known for her moist and addictive tea breads. These loaves have been around for centuries, so as you can imagine, there are many varieties and recipes. The one I chose to bake is simple and similar to a pound cake. I added dried cherries for color and flavor, but the bread tastes delicious all on its own.
So pick up a piece of trash, write someone a letter, or bake a loaf of bread to share with your family and friends. This world becomes more beautiful and more frightening with each day that passes. Let us treasure the moments we are in.
I may not be aware enough to pick up all the trash that lines my walks to and from the store, but I do know how to bake.
In this way, I hope to give of myself to others. I hope to show Ryan, my family, my friends, and strangers that I care.
I wish I could send all of you a loaf of this bread. Your presence has been such a blessing in my life this past year. I cannot begin to express how your words and your gifts have impacted me. Those comments, cards, and boxes of goodies have bubbled up inside of me...and I find myself overflowing with love and gratitude for human beings around the world.
Sally Lunn Bread originated in Bath, England. There, a local woman named Sally Lunn was known for her moist and addictive tea breads. These loaves have been around for centuries, so as you can imagine, there are many varieties and recipes. The one I chose to bake is simple and similar to a pound cake. I added dried cherries for color and flavor, but the bread tastes delicious all on its own.
So pick up a piece of trash, write someone a letter, or bake a loaf of bread to share with your family and friends. This world becomes more beautiful and more frightening with each day that passes. Let us treasure the moments we are in.
Sally Lunn Bread
*adapted from America's Test Kitchen
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
8 TBSP (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup dried fruit or chocolate chips (toss chocolate chips in 1 TBSP flour to prevent them from sinking)
1. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F. Grease and flour an 8.5 x 4.5 inch loaf pan.
2. Whisk together your flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in a medium bowl. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together with an electric mixer until light and creamy (about 4 minutes). Add in the eggs, one at a time, until combined. Beat in the flour mixture and the milk until combined (be careful to not overmix). Fold in dried fruit or chocolate chips if using.
3. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake until lightly golden and toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with just a few moist crumbs (around 60 minutes). Allow to cool in pan for 10 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack. Allow to cool slightly before serving.
Always,
Monet
Anecdotes and Apple Cores
*adapted from America's Test Kitchen
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
8 TBSP (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup dried fruit or chocolate chips (toss chocolate chips in 1 TBSP flour to prevent them from sinking)
1. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F. Grease and flour an 8.5 x 4.5 inch loaf pan.
2. Whisk together your flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in a medium bowl. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together with an electric mixer until light and creamy (about 4 minutes). Add in the eggs, one at a time, until combined. Beat in the flour mixture and the milk until combined (be careful to not overmix). Fold in dried fruit or chocolate chips if using.
3. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake until lightly golden and toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with just a few moist crumbs (around 60 minutes). Allow to cool in pan for 10 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack. Allow to cool slightly before serving.
Always,
Monet
Anecdotes and Apple Cores
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