A few weeks ago my mother-in-law gave me a start to "Amish friendship bread". As she handed it to me Bruce said he wasn’t sure if it is such a friendly thing to give this start away – it is more like a burden (or something to that effect). I knew what he meant because my mom used to make this and I remember her feeling bittersweet about it all. Now I had the opportunity to experience it first hand.
I took it knowing what it entailed, but willing because I thought my children would enjoy it. It was kind of fun mashing the bag and trying to figure out if I was on the right day…you see it takes 10 days of babysitting on your kitchen counter until the day finally arrives to bake. Well, I made it and it was a hit with my kids and tasted just like I remember my mom’s tasting like from when I was a kid. Stephen was more skeptical and passed it by claiming he "didn’t know how many hands have touched that."
I made the bread the night before I went visiting teaching. I was excited about the timing thinking I would have someone to share the 4 new starts with and pass on the responsibility. One friend was a taker (bless her heart), but the other two refused and gave me a lengthy explanation as to why they weren’t willing to commit. I readily understood and didn’t blame them, however I still had 3 homes to find.
Life got busy and a few days passed when my mom came to town. I thought, "now I can give one to her and have her take 2 home to my sisters in Utah!" Good plan? NO – she and I forgot about it on the day she left. Great – now I have 3 starts of friendship bread to babysit. I tended to them and this past Saturday was day 10 for the second time and to the third degree. It was a busy day and inconvenient to try and make 3 batches of bread and bake them for an hour each and also distribute and get the other 12 bags filled. I feel embarrassed to admit this but I will rid myself of the guilt now – I ended up throwing one start away. Even doing that I ended up with 8 new starter bags that needed a home/friend. Imagine if I would have had 12! Talk about out of control…BTW – does anyone have a recipe to make pancakes or any other recipes that you can use that start for? I thought the bread was fun, but it would be nice to have other options too. (when I decide to do it again in like 5 years when my mind has forgotten about this)
I made my distribution hit list yesterday after church. I packaged up a jumbo muffin from yesterday’s batch as a sample and figured these people couldn’t resist if I gave them a sample too. Here is a little secret… I decided it is better to give them away to people who you know a little but not too well – this way they don’t have the heart to tell you no.
As I passed these starts to their new friend I wonder if I just strengthened my friendship or not? Hopefully they have the mindset that "it’s the thought that counts". Either way I have now passed my responsibilities and have felt the "burden" lifted.
Comments:
Scott said…
It’s okay to say anything you want about anyone, as long as you follow it with “bless her heart.”
Monday, August 31, 2009 7:46:54 PM
Sharon said…
Thanks, you expressed my feelings also. But it was fun for a while. I just need to rid myself of the burden now.
Monday, August 31, 2009 10:09:27 PM