A Susie Homemaker Day

I love these days. Days I can put business and busyness aside. Days to delight in the joy of homemaking. Days to bless my family by restocking the pantry.

Basically no bread in the house? Time for Mom and me to try out a couple new recipes from last year's Christmas gifts -- no knead bread recipe books!

Two hours later and the dough was up to the top of the pails. Seven grain bread...

...and basic European white bread. Time for the dough to go into the refrigerator until tomorrow.



We are always trying to use up something in our pantry and freezer around here. This day my goal was to make frozen, leftover bread samples (served to customers at farmers markets) into croutons. A few of these seasonings are also on our to-use-up list.



Multigrain, Sourdough, Dill-Onion, and Cran-Orange Whole Wheat Breads, seasoned and toasted to perfection. (Sound like a strange combo? Think cranberry stuffing.)

Spiced herring makes way for croutons. It is just too fun to use old jars.

Time to fill up the granola container while making a bit to sell to a friend.

The next day -- Seven grain bread goes from fridge to oven to tummies.

Thick, chewy crust. Creamy and crunchy crumb. Yum!

"Though the weather outside is frightful..."

Twenty-some degrees.
Frost to scrape from windshield.
Brown, saggy plants frozen in their pots.

Frightful? Maybe not. Especially when I smell decaying leaves, hear the cheerful voices of chickadees, see the clear, star filled sky while crisp air meets my nose... Still I prefer to enjoy these pleasures in short snippets or wrapped mummy-style in warm clothes. I admit it. Cold and I don't get along.

I remember the cold Octobers of yesteryear, sitting like a bag lady in my parka along the street while selling my home-baked wares to regulars and passers by. But I only remember it. This year I got smart.

Bumping my farmers market schedule back a little, I used the month of September to catch up on the backlog caused by busy summers. The beginning of October then saw the launch of this year's once-a-month baking and delivery schedule... one month earlier than last year.

A stack of deliveries waiting to go.



Standing Order
This family chose a great variety of baking to enjoy every month.




Two Bread Subscriptions
Here is a peak into October's "edition."



Food and Family

There is something about food and family...

Family crowded into a home kitchen while cooking, washing dishes, and generally having a good time. 

Family sitting quietly around a table enjoying a good meal and each others company - two of God's good gifts. 

Family passing down the love of good, quality food from one generation to the next.

In the last years we discovered another connection between food and family.  It all began one winter day when my youngest foster brother, Ninh, and his wife, Hue (pronounced Hway), surprised us with a visit - our first contact with our three boys in fourteen years.  Since then we have enjoyed many great visits with Ninh's family... and much great food.

Last winter my family gathered around a table at Ninh and brother An's Vietnamese Orchid Restaurant in White Bear Lake, MN.

Ninh slipped away from his post in the kitchen to catch a few minutes of visiting.

Mom tried one of Ninh's favorite dishes, a fish dinner.  The Orchid's hand-cut lotus blossom carrots make a feast for the eyes.

Dad always loves a good sweet and sour. 

My noodle dish had great flavor!

Hannah (back) and Maren's (front) delicious and beautiful meals.

The next day found us once again feasting on Vietnamese (and Italian) food - this time at the Nguyen home.  Hue served us a full banquet!

Lillian and Athen (Lillian - behind girl in front; Athen - left) shared a meal with two of their cousins at the little table.

Han, Hue's sister, showed up later in the evening.  Before long she was on the floor mixing a batch of caramel rolls.

Lillian and Athen's cousin kept us well fed all evening long from her own little" kitchen." Feasts everywhere!