I haven't found much time to write lately; really write in a sense of intellectual creativity and mindful relief. At first I thought it was because I was looking in the wrong places: a break at work, a few minutes before bed (like right now actually), a morning thought, but then I realized that time to sit down and write was not to be "found," but rather, created. Ms. Thompson was right in elementary school when she told us you had to make time to practice, not find time. 15 years later I am just realizing the depth of her words.

2/3 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup mashed ripe banana
1 egg
2 tablespoons butter
2 cups bread flour
1 cup + 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour
1/3 cup rolled oats (toasted)
4 teaspoons honey
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon active dry yeast

Toast oats by putting them on a cookie sheet in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes. Although this is intended for a bread machine, it can be made by hand as well. Bake at 400 degrees...I think.

: : more bananas = more bananas

I play the Piano, I go to church for Christmas mass. I decided this year to combine the activities in an act of efficiency. I'm going to be at mass anyway, I might as well play the piano while there, and the other 200 people are there. I hope they all don't have this idea.

1 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup flaxseed meal (or seeds)
2 tablespoons sugar/molasses/honey
1 egg
3 tablespoons melted butter
1 cup buttermilk

Tonight was vastly more difficult than any other night I've served. Usually it is the gross food caked between my fingers as I clean dishes, or the rude and unaccommodating guests that stir my garlic (garlic falls thin rendering it useless if it is stirred), but tonight was different.

I don't really know why they call it "passing" when something dies. Sunday morning greeted us with another death in the chicken box. I was preparing for a shower, getting distracted by the chicks as usual. They were all doing well, eating, drinking, chirping, and pooping: their favorite/only activities. I was anxious to see them to make sure they were doing better than Francine had done. A mere 15 minutes from saying hi to them, I noticed Gertrude laying down. As far as I can tell, from my two days with them, chicks only lay down to die.

The chicks were doing fine last night, we made sure they were well equipped for the night and went to sleep. The quail were in the coop, a space far too big for them, but nonetheless, they fared well in the outdoors unlike the chicks. Kym was the first one awake on Saturday and burst in my room around 8 am. She informed me that my dearest Francine had passed during the night. I had a hard time sleeping any longer, so shortly thereafter I went to investigate.

Arrived at the farm in the morning greeted by emus and an array of birds. Kym and I took careful selection of our birds, choosing 4 chicks and 3 quail. The drive home was dedicated to naming them.

The Chicks:
Loretta: Jersey Blue
Evelyn: Feather-footed bantam random variety
Francine: American bantam
Gertrude: Buff-colored random variety

The Quail:
Maive: Tuxedo quail
Masi: Italian quail
Pippie: Red golden quail

2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup apple sauce
2 large eggs
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup soy milk
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Bake at 375 for 20 minutes or so

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder (some people use cream of tartar, but who has this really?)
• 1 organic egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups flour (whole wheat works fine)
• 4 Tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions