Since moving to GA – a wee lil pregnant lady named Nichole entered our lives. She along with her 7 (almost 8) kiddos, plus her husband (whom my husband has really clicked with), are blessings to us. The Lord knew I needed her here.
One thing besides friendship she has brought, is her knowledge. She knows so much!! I was immediately interested in learning about one particular thing in her families life… and that is milling her own wheat… in order to make their own bread… cinnamon rolls, pancakes, waffles, muffins, you name it… she does it. I have always loved the idea of baking my own breads… but never knew the steps to take to do it… or if it was really worth it.
Her along with a lady named Sue Becker have convinced me.
I wont get into all the benefits of whole grain… but if you are interested in learning about it, you can listen to a CD (free to download) online by the owner of Bread Beckers, Sue.
When I heard that CD I was convinced. Although part of me was already convinced by just witnessing Nichole and her family… but that was the icing to top the cake I guess you could say.
The only problem…
It was an investment, financially…
and with my husband still jobless (for the most part), I was at a road block with the purchasing of a mill. I originally thought I could get it for free through She {hearts} It – a site I write for doing product reviews… but one of the other moms (and a friend of mine), Aliesha… already contacted them… and I am so thankful they said yes to her, because I know she is going to LOVE IT! She btw is doing a review on it tomorrow ;-) – so go check that out on She {hearts} It if you’d like.
Here I was tho… with no mill…
After some time, my husband gave me the ok to just purchase it. Considering it an investment in our family. I had just gotten a check from blog post I did – and it was enough to cover the full cost of the mill, plus the grain…
Yet God… how awesome is He, to have His perfect plan…
I was able to get the mill, free.
With my talent as a photographer, I am going to bless a family with a free session this spring & in return the grandmother gave me her mill (that she no longer needed). I don’t know if she realizes what a blessing that was, but it was amazing. I am so thankful.
So today, I went to Bread Beckers and picked up a bulk portion of Organic Hard White Wheat, some more Sucanat (that is quickly becoming our main source of sugar in the home, that and honey) yeast, a couple new loaf pans (I needed 1 lb size) and a few other ingredients to play around with.
I could not wait to start my 1st batch of bread… using the Bread Beckers recipe…
I whipped it up, kneaded it (by hand)… set it in a bowl to rise…
Went on a walk with Nichole :) – came back, split the batch.. making 12 cinnamon rolls (also in the bread beckers cook book) – and one 1 lb loaf. They both came out PERFECT!
I look forward to many more recipe test ;-)
and hope to share some here in the future.
We hope in time… to get to the point where we buy no store breads. Everything made from scratch.
It will take time to figure out a routine… and some weeks I may not have time… and that will be ok. But I think it will benefit our family… and for that I look forward to taking the extra step to do this.
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever.” Philippians 4:19-20
Note: to my friends back in NC. I found a whole grain place where you can buy bulk and other items… check out the Grain Mill – its located in Wake Forest!
& for extra sweetness to end… Owen reaching for more cinnamon rolls tonight :)
He loved them :)
