Arrrgh!!!

Actually this post is not only about friendship, but Amish bread.

One of my friends from the Senior Exercise class came to class about ten days ago, carrying four plastic bags with what looked like tan gravy. I didn't get to join Senior Exercise without having been around for a while, and I knew what was coming. She shared with me a cup of starter for Amish bread.

I've been babying it for the past week and a half, "mushing" it for five days, adding ingredients and mushing for five more. Today was the day I was to add more ingredients and divide it up into four bags, plus starter for my own loaves. I had a clever plan. I was going to spring the bags on my Mother's Empty Nester group. I was sure I could find four women who would take them off my hands, if only to dispose of them! *S*

Unfortunately, my day went awry from the start, and the bags didn't get divided until this evening. I planned to bake my bread early tomorrow morning, until I realized that I need a box of instant vanilla pudding to complete the loaf. Drat! It's always something!

I know, I was going to talk about friendship, too. Isn't it amazing what we do for friends? Our children are in their thirties and forties. We don't have any school age kids right now. We have one three year old granddaughter, and another on the way, so we are in between the ages when kids need to sell things for school, Brownies, band....whatever fundraiser is front and center. My extended family and our friends know that we are an easy touch for their little salesmen. Say the words "Girl Scout Cookies," and we are on a mission to make that child the top seller in their council!

For the adults, we've done Pampered Chef, Longaberger Baskets, Southern Living at Home, makeup and all sorts of other parties. We purchase garbage can liners, and hoagies, geraniums, and theater tickets. The list is endless. So, it makes sense that we accept the starter for Amish bread. Think about it. We're receiving a gift. Yes, it takes a little effort, but we don't have to pay cash for anything, and you could keep all the starter to yourself, bake ten loaves of bread and freeze it, and have the jump on holiday gifts! (At least, YOU could....I have to wait until we replace the dead freezer in my garage. (sigh)).

It seems to be a little thing to do to maintain our community of friends. I'm sure there are those of you who are forthright, and announce, "I don't cook! Please don't ask me." That's okay. I bet you help out in other ways. I rather like the idea of each of us baking bread. I want to see all the variations that come, as each baker adds her own extra ingredients.

So, if you don't bake, be happy that you don't live near me. I have these four bags of starter just begging to visit my friend's houses!

If you DO bake.....come for lunch, and you can tell me how you plan to personalize your Amish bread.