It was the night before Christmas Eve and friends came over bearing the gift of life – homemade bread!
Flashback:
Our jolly friend who answers his phone with a hearty “Ho Ho Ho,” loves to bake. In fact, according to his jolly wife, he went on a Baking Binge this holiday.
And he did.
I know this because they gave us two kinds of scones and some fancy little cheesecakes featuring raspberry tops. Oh heavenly bliss! They were delicious. And all this was made by himself, Pete.
So good was Pete at baking delectable offerings that he became slightly conceited. “I remember this special bread I had once at a wonderful Virginia Bed and Breakfast,” he said. “It was the best bread I ever ate and I talked the chef into giving me the recipe. If I can find all the exotic ingredients, I will make that specialty bread. I am determined to do this!”
And he did.
And it was the eve before Christmas Eve (is it called Christmas Eve-Eve?) and as I said, our friends arrived on this magical night bearing another gift – Pete’s magnificent experiment/obsession– homemade bread!
Can you guess which bread in the picture is Pete’s offering of the staff of life?
Flash Forward:
Hints
- The bumpy loaf bread in the lower screen area is pumpkin bread made by Dor from the recipe of a favorite blogger, Cindy Knoke! It is fabulously delicious. Thanks Cindy! I saved the recipe from one of your blog posts way back when!
- The long lovely loaf at the top is a homemade gift from my friend, Peg. It’s an almond bread I dream about all year.
- Now look closely to the right of these two perfectly beautiful loaves. You see those tiny brown things?
There was a lot of laughter this Christmas Eve-Eve over a loaf of bread that would not rise. Nevertheless, I am supposed to taste it tomorrow morning. “It might be o.k. with butter,” said Pete, maybe a whole lot of butter.”
“Oh, and I was going to cut the bottoms off, but you might want to do that too.”
Now I wonder if there will be dental bills involved as a result of experimentally chewing a rock hard little loaf! Maybe coffee dunking would help.
I do admire Pete for trying however. I would advise him to keep trying and trying again since “practice makes perfect,” but that could be self defeating if I have to taste all his future attempts. Uh! No, not unless I can find him a taster who never gets indigestion.
But Thank You Pete! You did your best.
And even if your miniature loaves are just a tad inferior,
your real gift to us this Christmas Eve-Eve
is the gift of laughter,
and that my friend is the happiest gift of all.
Very funny post, Dor. I hope Pete has a sense of humor and gives it another try. You could always toast it and call it biscotti, dunking it in your coffee to soften it!
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I thought it was chocolate. 🙂
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I applaud Pete’s efforts. It can be frustrating to spend so much time then have the end result less than perfect.
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Hahaha! Bite with caution. Those others loaves look amazing and I love your presentation on the white board. Enjoy!
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Oh, how I love homemade bread :). I am going to be a complete blimp by the time this holiday is over. There are so many yummy things to eat! January will have to be filled with salads LOL!
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I think the lesson is that chef’s don’t give away their fabulous recipes! The other two look wonderful!
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Well, all I can say is yum to the good-looking breads and oh well, if at first you don’t succeed…to the other. Good friends, good bread, good laughter – sounds like you had an awesome Christmas Eve eve. Merry Christmas, my friend.
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Thanks Eliza! Pete is actually all sense of humor so I think he will love this post. He has actually threatened retribution already.
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Hahaha! I will have to tell Pete about your wonderful observation Lilly! 🙂
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You are a very kind woman Patti! I would want you at my back. 🙂
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Actually, I braved the possible consequences, heated the little tiny loaf, and added a volume of butter. And it was DELICIOUS! 🙂
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How I know what you mean Cindy! I have already reached the blimp stage and heading for the Total Body Vibration machine to fool myself into feeling thin. 🙂
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Oooooh, that may well be Kate! I hope Pete is reading this.
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Tis true… I think Christmas Eve-Eve will become a tradition now – with or without funny breads.
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Everything’s better with butter! I wish I had a Pete in my life 🙂
MJ
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Pete is bent on a diabolical plot for revenge. You may not want to have him in your life MJ!
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We are bread people in this house, preferring it any day over cake or other sweets. That almond bread makes my mouth water, Dor! I hope you had a great Christmas, dear friend.
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The gift of bread reminds me of the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” when George and Mary Bailey presented 3 housewarming gifts to the Martini family: bread (so that they never know hunger), salt (so that life always have flavor), and wine (so that joy and prosperity reign forever).
What wonderful gifts. Sorry Pete’s intended gift didn’t turn out as planned. 😉
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I admire Pete for trying too, he is braver than me 💖 Wishing you a Happy New Year Dor 🌺
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Served with enough friends and butter, any bread can be lovely!
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Thanks Barbara. I’m just getting back to the computer – having survived a stomach flu bug that bit both Bill and me. We are up in time for New Year’s celebration with friends tomorrow night though. Wishing you a very special Happy New Year too. ~Dor
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Hi Judy and Happy New Year! I’m sure Pete will keep trying and plans to present us with a “baker’s dozen” in revenge. 🙂
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Thanks *hugs*…. you are a sweetheart.
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Truer words never blogged! 🙂
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Oh, no! Well, I’m so happy to hear that both you and Bill are feeling better. You wouldn’t believe how bad I look right now because my stylist has had to cancel two appointments in a row because she is so sick. Actually at this point, I may just start growing in a new style! We are flying down to SC to pick up some puppies for Pilots and Paws and returning on New Year’s Day. Wishing you the BEST 2015!
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I seriously doubt you could look bad Barbara. And you two are so wonderful to do the Pilots and Paws thing. Talk about good deeds and a love for animals! I am proud to know you even if it is from afar. 🙂
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