Monday, May 24, 2010

Handbook for Catholic Moms Question: How Do You Express Your Creativity?

The Handbook for Catholic Moms has a section about creativity and helping nurture our mind by having creative pursuits that we turn to for both self-improvement and for relaxation.

I find that writing can be very creative for me, but not particularly relaxing (except when I am finished!).   I also enjoy handcrafts such as knitting, and also trying out new recipes.  I found working out and trying several different recipes from the book and website Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day, because the recipes are more foolproof than most.  Even with the help of this excellent technique, I still find reliably good bread an elusive goal.  Any suggestions out there for how I can get a loaf of bread to turn out well every single time?

What do you do to nurture your creative side?

4 comments:

  1. I love,love,love baking bread! I have found a good solid flour makes all the differenc in the world! As long as I have my king arthur white whole wheat flour I can bake about any kind of bread with success most of the time. There are always flops but such is life :)
    I would have to say cooking is my most consistant way to relax and also express myself.

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  2. One thing that we do enjoy in our home is telling stories to our girls. It's a way I've found that I can connect w/and be present to our girls as we go about our day, or at bedtime when I can't keep my eyes open to read a book aloud. I guess that is one creative-ish aspect that I never would have considered making an effort to develop b/f I had children.
    I too love cooking and baking bread. I have to 2nd Michele's recommendation on flour, and I'd also add good yeast (SAF Instant) and a warm, protected rising place (an oven that has been very slightly preheated during the kneading process and then turned off b/f the bread is put in to rise) are helpful to me.

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  3. I do like the taste of homemade, fresh out of the oven, bread. I'm not very good at making it though. LOL.

    I do like to sew. It's relaxing for me though I'm not that creative ... I need directions. I like to crochet and I just learned how to knit. I enjoy making gifts for others and pray for them with each stitch.

    Also, my almost daily runs have made a huge impact on my mood for the rest of the day. I find I'm more relaxed and focused. During my runs, I pound out the issues that plague me. I've been creative of scheduling my time to get exercise in with having a large family.

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  4. I make all my own bread... I refuse to pay the prices that bread has gone to... I have been experimenting with sour doughs and finding decent success with it. I am amazed at how easy the transition was from buying to baking my own. I now buy my yeast and flour at Sam's Club because 2# of yeast is under $5 and flour is cheap in 25# bags too. Use bread flour because it has a higher gluten content and works better and raises better.

    I also like to cook and made my first cheesecake for Easter. It was an easy recipe from cooks.com and it was delicious!

    Recently I have discovered couch to 5K running program and just starting it. Not a bad program for me!

    My other hobbies include: playing on my wii fit, reading, painting t-shirts, participating in Bible studies and women's prayer groups and making my own sugar scrubs(facial scrub). I used to sew when my kids were young but haven't in a while. I keep telling myself I should make my own clothes but I have too many as it is.

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