Bread - Christmas Gift

For our neighbor gifts this year, we decided to make loaves of Italian Sandwich Bread. I have a wonderful recipe that I usually use for making small loaves for Sub Sandwiches but I figured out that if I doubled it, I could get 5 large loaves. They baked to golden brown perfection and the kids and I had a good time delivering them in the snow. 

It was great because our ward RS also had an activity about how Jesus Christ is the Bread of Life - and I felt like that gave me a lot to ponder as I was making so many loaves of bread and sharing them with those around me to celebrate this Christmas season. (I love neighbor gifts and wish that I could drop something on the porch of every person that I know or am slightly acquainted with. It's the gift-giving love language piece of me.) 

We spent several full days in the kitchen baking bread together and it was very hygge. 

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At the RS activity a neighbor, Erin Rossel, taught the group how to make sourdough bread. When I expressed interest to her about it - but also expressed how intimidated I was, she brought me a starter and promised to help me learn. It's definitely intimidating, but after making so much bread this December - I think that I am ready to learn! 

December Dates

David and I were able to go on several dates this month and I was so glad that we got to spend some one-on-one time during such a busy time of year. 

Our babysitting date swap ended up on a Saturday and we did double-swapping. David and I went out in the afternoon, then the Ward kids came over to our house for the evening. We did some Christmas Prep during that date time. 

We managed to squeeze in an extra date when David's coworker Hailey invited us over for dinner and games. I was so excited because we had enough time to go walk around the Christkindlemarkt together which was festive and fun before going to her house for a fun evening with a small group of David's co-workers and spouses. 

Then one more date to David's work Christmas Party which was held at the Grand America. We enjoyed walking around the Christmas displays, wearing fancy clothes (at least I did), and spending the evening together. 

I know I say it often, but I love spending time with David. He's my best friend and whether we are doing yard work together, cleaning the kitchen, playing with our kids, or going on dates - being with him makes me the happiest. (Although I have to admit, going on a date in a sparkly dress is better than working in the yard.) 

We did most of our dates in the beginning of December because things get so busy towards the end of the month - but I'm glad we were able to make it work! 

Insta-Q4

 One little insta-post this whole quarter. There are so many things I could have shared but didn't and now those memories are lost to the wind. But there is balance in all things and I hope that this blog can also adequately capture how grateful I am for the memories, mundane and magical. 

{10.8.22}

This boy. Words cant even express how happy and proud I was today. We finished reading the Book of Mormon last night and I've never seen someone so excited. He was bouncing with joy, but when he stepped into the font with his Dad an intense peace came over him and I noticed his chin tremble the way it does when he is feeling big feelings. He was feeling the spirit confirm to him that he was in the right place making the best choice for him.

Such a beautiful day. ❤️