One of my favourite things to do after an intense work day is to bake bread. I enjoy the process of mixing the dough by hand, one ingredient at a time. I seldom follow a recipe, I choose from the ingredients I have at home and the desire of the day. Today I made whole-grain ciabattas with spelt flour, and oats. I am grateful for the knowledge of baking from scratch passed down from my mother and grandmother. I am in the process of passing it down to my own daughter.

I also chose to attend a bakery school for three years in my youth (age 15-18), which added some new knowledge, and perhaps most of all confidence in my abilities. I started my work-life as a baker, something I am very grateful for. I believe that having practical life skills, like knowing how to bake and cook from scratch, and fix things around the house helps a person in more way than the obvious (self-reliance and economical benefits,) it creates a sense of meaningfulness. I find it very meaningful to bake bread, even when I am tired after work, it is actually something that helps me manage stress.

What are you grateful for today? Would you like to join me in this Daily Gratitude Practice 2026?

Maria

18 responses to “Daily Gratitude Practice 2026 – Baking from scratch”

  1. Wow Maria, your bread looks so good! Pass the butter please. ❤️

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    1. Thank you! You know I like sharing :)

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re welcome Maria. ❤️

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Thanks so much for sharing. I am not self-reliant at all, needing lots of help with everyday tasks, but I do find meaning in cooking and baking too.

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    1. I do remember you writing about how much you like to be in the kitchen :) I hope you get to spend a lot of time there.

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  3. I love the multigenerational skill you are passing on to H. Self-sufficiency is a great tool in life. Today I am grateful to the little birds that visit my feeders, we feed them and they feed our souls. :)

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    1. Thank you! Ms. H are actually taking wood crafting classes now and she is going to make a bird house for the garden. She asked me the other day what kind of birds I would like to attract to the garden, so that she could make the bird house in the right size. I answered that I’d like a house for the nuthatch, can’t wait to see it.

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  4. How touching that this skill was passed on from your mom and grandmother, Maria. And I can see how kneading the dough would be a perfect stress reliever, as would eating warm, freshly baked bread.

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    1. Thank you! I do enjoy kneading the dough, it is a great stress relief with other benefits :)

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  5. I agree completely – baking bread is always a good thing for all the reasons you listed. Wonderful you are passing those skills along!

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    1. We have so much in common!

      Thank you!

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  6. That looks delicious, and what a nice way to end your day.

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    1. Thank you! I’d be happy to share :)

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  7. I believe that having practical life skills, like knowing how to bake and cook from scratch, and fix things around the house helps a person in more way than the obvious

    Exactly this ^^

    At school we were taught to sew and cook and practical home econimics.

    Your bread looks amazing!

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    1. Those are such useful skills! And thank you :)

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  8. Mmm, nothing like freshly baked bread. I’ve learned to bake it in cast iron over the coals camping.. It’s become a tradition I look forward to every camping trip. I love that it’s so calming for you.

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    1. Cast iron over the coals…that brings back childhood memories. I have not done that in many, many years. I don’t even own a cast iron pan. I should look for one.

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