A Novel About Baking Bread
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We are due for rain and scattered thunderstorms. The air hangs thick with the impending showers. I’m currently reading a novel about baking bread.
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I am reading a “new to me” author. The book is “Bread Alone” by Judith Ryan Hendricks. It is the first in a three book series. I have book one and two, but have yet to acquire number three from Thriftbooks.
The Premise:
The book features 31 year old Wynter Morrison. She gave up on finding a suitable career doing something she loved and became a trophy wife instead.
Then her husband decides he wants time to think things through, (of course there’s another woman). Wyn travels to Seattle to stay with her best friend for awhile.
While in Seattle, Wyn finds herself spending time sipping coffee at a local bakery while her friend is at work. She is reminded of her apprenticeship at a French boulangerie, and finds herself wanting to bake bread again.
What follows (so far anyway) is a tale of a woman finding herself enthralled with the smell of yeast and the kneading of dough. It has a wondrous healing power for her, as she tries to figure out why she gave herself up to just being someone’s trophy wife.
Why didn’t she have hopes and dreams of her own.
Savoring The Pages:
I find myself reading the yellowed pages (written in 2002) of the book savoring the words about this woman rediscovering herself surrounded by flour and yeast. It is one of those books that elicits a yearning for the simple joys in life. Such as working with dough and then waiting for it to rise.
It takes me back to my own bread making days. I have played with the idea of trying my hand at it again, even with arthritic fingers and painful joints.
It was such a lovely time in my life when my goal was to have the bread baked by the time the girls got home from school.
On the days I baked bread, I’d slice the still warm loaf and slide pieces of it onto dessert plates. The girls would load it with butter and jelly for their afternoon snack. What better scent than yeasty loaves of bread to come home to?
Working With Dough:
I remember the feel of the dough beneath my hands as I kneaded it, adding a little bit of water here and just a smidgen of flour there. Then maneuvering the dough with my hands until it was ready to plop into a lightly oiled bowl. And then I’d cover it with a clean dish towel.
There is something almost hypnotic about working with dough. You push the dough away from you with the ball of your hand, and then take the furthest away part and “fold” it back to you. You do this until the dough is smooth and not so sticky.
Poke the dough with your finger. If the dough bounces back without sticking to your finger, it’s been kneaded enough.
If you’re accustomed to working with dough, you can work your hands automatically while daydreaming or thinking about other tasks. It is a satisfying ritual.
Waiting For The Dough To Rise:
I’d go about my day, and from time to time check to see if the dough had doubled in size. Then I’d lay it out on the floured surface and punch it down. This was to break up the gas pockets in the dough.
Then I’d fit the dough into an oiled pan and use a basting brush to spread melted butter over the surface. And then it was ready to put in the oven. During baking the most wondrous of smells would fill my little kitchen.
Mothing beats the scent of bread baking in the oven.
Where I Purchased It:
Bread Alone by Judith Ryan Hendricks: Amazon
(This post has an affiliated link)
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I read three of Judith Hendricks’ books years ago incl. Bread Alone Book 1, it’s sequel The Baker’s Apprentice Book 2, and Isabel’s Daughter (a bit of a mystery that I think you will enjoy).
I also bought the 3rd book in the bread series, Baker’s Blues to read soon.
I used to bake bread in my younger years, but I cheated and used a bread machine. It was still warm, buttery and delicious, and the house always smelled so good white it was cooking. I mostly made white bread, but sometimes I’d experiment with making an herbed bread, which was good too. Today, all I make is banana bread. Also quite delicious! The book sounds good.
“While” it was cooking! Anyone else hate autocorrect?!!!
Hi Brenda,
closely following your trials and tribulations of moving and fixing “Mamie.” I really like the deep blue house color. I think the door color is pretty; but a brighter or deeper shade, maybe coral would balance the rich depth of the blue. I would wait to repaint it. You have discussed landscaping and I remember your exquisite back yard from your last longterm apartment. You should landscape next; it will make a huge difference as a focal point. Do hydrangeas grow well in your area? How about Iceberg roses? These shrubs are typical cottage plantings and make a beautiful statement and romantic look. Whatever you do, it will be beautiful.
I will look for these books at my library. And, as far as baking bread goes, I’m in the simple category. Pumpkin and Banana bread are my regulars; they scratch the bakery itch. I also love a simple Beer Bread for clam chowder, seafood soups and stews. Cornbread for bean and pea soups. I have ongoing stiffness/ arthritis in my hands also; and it’s the result of lots mileage on these 72yr. old hands.
Pace and give yourself grace, Rome wasn’t built in a day; you have made amazing progress!
Susan in the Pacific Northwest
I read this series years ago – one of my faves!
My mom makes real sourdough bread. It is sooo good!
I happened across one of the books and it seemed enchanting.
Brenda, I loved these books! Discovered this author about ten years ago and have all three books. I am glad you are enjoying them too. I love making bread. I make a batch (two loaves) every ten days or so. Your new home is gorgeous. You and Ivy sound very happy, I am glad!
Did the author write any other books I wonder?
Yes, she has a few other ones. I think I have one in my TBR pile.
Isabel’s Daughter is also good and a bit of a mystery set in New Mexico by Judith Hendricks. I think you’ll enjoy it.
Wow, the comments are making me hungry for fresh made bread! I’m not a bread maker myself, but I wondered if there were any tools or tricks of the trade that can be used to make kneading dough, etc. easier for people with arthritis in their hands/fingers. There’s all kinds of articles on the internet from women who love making their own bread. I didn’t read through all of this article, but here’s a link in case you’re interested: https://www.cmsschicago.org/news-blog/20-ways-to-manage-arthritis-pain-in-the-kitchen/
I hope the new paint job on the house had enough time to dry and “cure” before the rains come. I was shocked this morning when I got up, turned on my laptop and the first forecast note said snow in 3 hours! WHAT? But it was very cold outside, in the mid 30s when I got up at 6:30 a.m. Got the bird and squirrel feeders filled on the patio as fast as I could, brrrrr! About an hour later, as I was sitting down to drink my one cup of coffee for the day and eat my breakfast when up popped a new forecast – rain mixed with snow starting in 2.5 hours. So I ate fast, got bundled up and did the mile round trip to the supermarket. It felt cold outside, but I was comfortable with my wool beret on, my thick winter jacket (not time for the down coats yet) and heavy gloves during my hike. The air was a little more wet than usual but today I only had to stop 2x on the walk to the market to blow my nose, that’s a record low. When I got back home, I decided to try and clean up yet another mess of leaves on the front lawn before the rain/snow came. As I worked, it got warmer and warmer out, wouldn’t you know it! The winter jacket came off. Was able to finish the entire front yard and sweep up the driveway, was finishing up just as the first drops of rain started. Today was a rare day when the forecast was fairly accurate 🙂 I was able to get the leaves cleaned up with my electric mower – raking would have taken forever. I tell you (as you no doubt all know) a woman’s work is NEVER done! EVER! Now my body from the waist up is telling me – “You shouldn’t have done that all in just 2.5 hours, dummy – OUCH!” Oh well. But it happens every time, LOL. When I wake up tomorrow morning the front yard will probably be covered in leaves again.
You manage to get so much done! I can’t imagine shopping in the grocery store much less walking there. Thanks for the link. Going to check it out.
The paint color is looking better to me. In my opinion the door needs a brighter color for emphasis and the light may need to be more of an accent color, too. This could be balance the view from the front. It will be fun to see your choice of plants for the flower beds, porch, and steps.
A little bit of the peach paint has come off. So might have to repaint it anyway. What color I don’t know.
RED!!! ❤️
Brenda, I am also hooked on the process of bread baking. There is something so basic and soothing and magical about the preparation, scent and of course the final product. I just finished reading Bread Alone. Checked it out of the library because I wanted to “meet” someone who was as fascinated about bread baking as I was. It’s the author’s first book, and I enjoyed reading it. Am also enjoying the posts about your Mamie. Love the blue.
there is something so soothing about
It is kind of a magical process, though women have been kneading dough and baking bread for many years.
I made my first try at sourdough bread Saturday is it was a dismal failure. I don’t think my starter was good. A few days before it was good and both of the jars I was making rose clear out of their jars and down onto the counter but I couldn’t bake then and and somehow I managed to kill it. I’ll do better next time. I’m not much of a cook but I’m going to get the hang of this.
I’ve never made sourdough bread and gone through the process of making a starter. It is beyond me at this point anyway.
I liked the original idea of painting the door green. Not too sure of the peach especially with the blue. Just my thoughts,if you like it, then it’s perfect.
My husband would bake bread for Christmas. When it was baking, we could hardly wait for it to come out of the oven. He would slice it up and we would put butter on it which would melt into the bread. Nothing like it, so delicious.
There’s just nothing to compete with freshly baked bread.