Baking helps soothe her soul

I’m baking this weekend: chocolate cake and snicker doodles and maybe even some bread. Measuring and mixing and tasting are on the agenda. Lots of bowls, measuring cups and spoons will need to be washed. I can’t wait.
I am going to Mom’s Sunday for the February birthdays. Me, both nephews, my brother, my cousin’s son, my grandmother and a sister-in-law were all born in February.
My grandmother is deceased, one nephew is in Arkansas, my cousin’s son has only been seen once in the last couple of decades and my sister-in-law lives in Virginia so none of them will be there. That leaves, me, my nephew Jadyn and my brother Michael.
Jadyn celebrated a milestone of his own this year. He turned 16. I don’t know if he is on track to getting his driver’s license or not. I do know that he is a normal teenage boy. In other words he would prefer to spend his days playing video games instead of doing homework. He likes girls and playing his sax. He is trying his hand at acting in a school play. He is mortified by anything his parents do. He wants cash for his birthday. I do love kids who are easy to buy for.
My brother is having just another birthday. No milestones for him. His girlfriend suggested a new tackle box as a present. It is perfect and something I had not thought about giving him because I assumed he already had one. The two of them go fishing almost every week. He used to catch fish using only his hands but these days he uses a pole … probably.
In preparation for celebrating our birthdays, I bake. I do this even though I know my mom will tell me that I eat too much sugar. I have tried taking fruits and a veggie tray to these family gatherings before and nobody eats anything so I have given up and try to make something that everybody will eat even if it isn’t good for us. Last year we had a hummingbird cake and some years we have pie but this year we are having chocolate cake because that is what I want to make.
For me, baking is an escape. All I have to do is follow the directions and I am assured of delicious results. No thinking is required. A little of this and a little of that and before I know it there is batter ready to be tasted. I prefer the batter or dough to the finished product.
All that mixing and measuring is relaxing. I am always amazed that an assortment of powders and liquids combined with a little heat can transform into such delightful treats. After all, any one of the ingredients, by themselves, aren’t all that great tasting.
I have to wonder who it was who first decided to beat some grain into submission, thus turning it into flour. Then someone else figured out how to make sugar. Add a little butter and a couple of eggs to the flour and sugar, toss it into the oven and voila — deliciousness. Who ever they were, I owe them my thanks.
An afternoon spent in the kitchen not only soothes my soul, it leaves the house smelling better than any air freshener can. I enjoy cooking for my family. Even if I don’t always give or receive the perfect presents, sharing food helps bond us together. Knowing that all my efforts will be appreciated makes all the mess worthwhile. Plus there is all that batter to taste. Let the baking begin![[In-content Ad]]