bread making

During my year in MN, I lived with a sister who baked bread. I looked forward to the days when I walked in the door and could smell fresh bread. Near the end of my time there, she taught me how to bake it and gave me a copy of her recipe. It was the first time that I knew someone who took the time to make bread. Heck, it was the first time that I knew/lived with people who canned food & only the second time I lived with someone who made meals from scratch.

ingredients : step one 

Last weekend, my SD reminded me that I need to remember to take time for myself. I scoffed at her and said something along the lines of, "but I do." Nevertheless, I promised her that I would take some time for myself on Monday. As I was falling asleep last night, I thought about this bread. I had asked another volunteer for the recipe last week (after losing my copy). All I would need to do was run to the West Side Market for cracked wheat and honey.

It was the perfect "time for myself" activity. I cleaned the kitchen so I could start out with a clean slate and laid out the ingredients. I followed the directions and strayed a bit when I knew that it needed something else.

ready for the oven

I waited in anticipation for the loaves to finish baking. They weren't my best, but still delicious.

It was the perfect chunk of time to take for myself - to relax and regroup. Work takes a lot out of me and quiet time is the last thing I want to do when I get home at night. I'll sit on the couch and say, "I should go to my room early & journal," but I rarely do it. Yet, I feel like I'm reaching my breaking point - like I desperately need to take this time even if I feel guilty about not doing something else.

Spending the time baking bread was a good reminder that I don't need to feel guilty about taking time for me. I need to do it for my sanity, for clarity, and for discernment. I think I can manage it. (Although, I don't think I have in the past week). It's a work in progress.

finished product

on leaving the land of gk, sensible shoes, hotdishes, and bars

We spent a chunk of our last week in Minnesota on retreat at Clare's Well. Located in Annandale, Clare's Well is working farm and a retreat place run by the Franciscans. The sisters there are absolutely wonderful. I was in love and not ready to leave on Wednesday evening. I could feel the stress of ending, or "leave taking" as someone referred to it, lift off my shoulders not long after we arrived. We were greeted by Lacy (the dog - see below) and the sisters with warm hugs and quick tours to get the lay of the land. They had baskets ready for us to raid the refrigerator and jugs of water (no running water in the hermitages, but they do have electricity and a composting toilet). I wasn't ready to leave the well on Wednesday evening. If I ever make it back up to Minnesota, I'll be scheduling retreat time there.

The Dome (one of the hermitages @ Clare's Well). Where I stayed.

Chapel

View from one of the windows in the Dome

Standing on the dock looking towards the barn and house.

Meet Lacy. She's blind and absolutely amazing...and she blogs!

Sunrise on Wednesday morning.

I left Minnesota last Friday. After a stop in Monroe to see the NL folks, I headed on to Ohio. I've been back since Sunday evening. I'm waiting for it to really sink in that I'm not on vacation, that I'm not working with the refugees anymore, that at this moment my life is here. Transitions aren't my cup of tea.

crappy wifi, but sun

I forgot what sunshine was after the rain soaked past few days we've had in Central MN. I couldn't figure out why I suddenly couldn't see my computer screen. The sun - o how I've missed you. You almost make me want to forgive this b & n for crappy wifi and the guy a few tables away from watching movies without earphones. Almost.

What exactly are you doing in MN?

Wondering what I've been up to in MN the last 10 months? Check out this A Nun's Life podcast. Many thanks to Sr. Julie and Sr. Max for having me on. You should also check out their website: http://anunslife.org

Video streaming by Ustream

a snow day in pictures

You have to realize that I haven't had a snow day in years. Well, since that freak snowstorm senior year of college that actually forced WC to close for a day. Today, my office is closed. All the other volunteers are at work. To celebrate, I downloaded the free trial of netflix and drank entirely too much tea.

I think this blizzard is mocking me for being too excited about the warm weather last week. Where is spring?

After 2 hours of snow blowing, my hair was frozen. Icicles and all.

12+ inches in the past 12 hours. It's still snowing.

Hey Mr. Snow Plow Man. Can you keep up?

Spending the day drinking tea, watching crappy tv shows, and generally not doing anything productive or work-related.

Fitting, no?

Crossword puzzle over a late breakfast.

 I could get used to this life. My snow day is ending in a little over an hour. I should probably shovel a little more, but my coat is soaking wet from this morning and I'm all cozy.

Home for the next 10 months

Mississippi River by the campus of St. Cloud State University.

This Mississippi River is about a 10 minute walk from my house in St. Cloud - my new home - where I'm spending the next 10 months engaged in a volunteer program.