Baking

 Savoring simple daily pleasures 

Sometimes, the simple act of donning my pinny, getting out my Kitchen aid, and switching on the oven to heat up, is the most calming, grounding and pleasurable way to bring myself back to the present, slow down and de stress. 

Baking on the fly, in a hurry, when you're too tired to re clean the kitchen again- or when you suddenly have to for a forgotten morning tea, bake sale or what have you, isn't relaxing whatso ever I find. 

But on a day when I have time, I enjoy the very process and find it immensely calming and satisfying.

 An early bright summery weekend morning, with my mason cash mixing bowl and a favorite sturdy whisk with its tactile wooden handle for a batch of waffles or pancakes, a rainy wintry afternoon with a warm spiced apple cake in anticipation of enjoying it after a blustery cold walk with a favorite pot of tea, a citrussy tart for an after dinner decadent treat with guests, or a tray of gooey, fudgy brownies ready for lunch boxes that I know will be appreciated and enjoyed beyond all else!

Its all about the mind set. Sometimes it can restore me but more often than not its the process itself that brings such calm satisfaction that the more I engage and focus the more I enjoy and the more love- literally and figuratively, is poured into the baking. You can taste the difference. It has its own energy!

It is a different emotion to that of preparing a meal, which is more about nourishment, and nutrients and full tummy's and healthy bodies. And I LOVE to cook. I love to plan, prepare, shop for and produce seasonal balanced meals for my family. 

Baking is almost always exclusively indulgent, a treat, a pocket of warm love and abundance. 

Especially paired with a cup of tea.