This is the first time I’ve managed to start writing an SOL post since school began. Where did all those good intentions go? Clearly they are not paving the path that I’m on, as the bumps and ruts remain numerous, requiring focus, swerves, and detours as I move along my way. Not to mention time to pull over and rest my eyes!

Last Friday we had our first Lattes and Lit meeting, which is our monthly before-school staff book buzz group. We come and share what we’ve been reading, swap books, and basically wallow in book talk and book love. It’s delightful! We started this a little over a year ago and it’s quickly become one of my favorite things. Usually I try to bake something to share and add to the festivities.

Last Thursday night though, I was in bed by 7 pm and asleep by 7:30. I hadn’t packed my lunch (always a night before in my life!) and I had even forgotten to put in my retainer. Exhausted doesn’t begin to describe it. Needless to say, I hadn’t baked anything. When I woke up around 4:15, I felt so much better. I knew I was already behind though–Friday’s planning had some large potholes in it, the group meets in my room at 8:00 which means my morning work time was truncated and I still had emails to respond to, lunch to pack and lots of other odds and ends to tend to. I got up and started the day.

At about 5:30 I came up for air. A sudden thought intruded. You know I could probably still make a batch of scones if I got moving. My mind hurried through the steps and the time involved. If I got the scones in the oven by 6, they’d be out by 6:15 or so and I could still head to work at 6:30. I debated with myself for a few moments. Did I want to rush? Did I want to make a mess and clean up? Did I really have the time?

Within moments, I had made my decision. I turned on the oven, grabbed flour, sugar, salt, butter, and baking soda and a mixture of baking cups. I dug out the chocolate chips, the dried cherries and the turbinado sugar. I lost myself in a whirl of measuring, chopping, mixing, etc. I was in baking flow, and it felt so good! Within 20 minutes or so, my scones were in the oven, the smell of baking was in the air, and I was smiling.

Hmmmm….could I make another batch? I mean people like having choices… I calculated. If I left home at 6:45, I’d still be at school by 7:15 which would give me a solid 45 minutes to get ready. I ran through the day in my head. Could I do it? Throwing caution to the wind, I optimistically decided I could. I mean, everything was already out! So, I zested some lemons, chopped some ginger and the next batch was soon ready to go.

As I baked, I realized how good it felt to be doing so. I absolutely love to bake, and don’t do so much these days as I simply don’t want to eat it all. For me, baking is both relaxing and fulfilling. It calms and centers me, and I also love to share what I’ve baked. It’s a win-win for sure! Making scones was definitely the right choice last Friday!

side note: When I searched my blog t to see if I’d already written about Lattes and Lit, I found a post entitled Baking. Clearly I have linked the two in my mind. As I reread it, I discovered that I was once again realizing something I’d already realized before, but somehow managed to forget. This time around there was a bit more rush around the edges, but still, the basic tenet was true: Baking comforts and connects me. It’s also a lot of fun.

In my decision to cut back the calories, I’ve also cut back on a source of joy. I think I need to reconsider this one.