“Ask yourself today if what you are doing is moving you closer to where you want to be tomorrow.”
I read that quote this weekend, and it really spoke to me. This time of year is crazy busy for most people, and we find ourselves involved in many wonderful things. But are all our activities and commitments leading us to where we want to be in the future?
I can hear you saying now, “I have great obligations that don’t or won’t change.” That’s true for all of us. But are we carving out time for things we really want to do–things that will lead us to the place we have dreamed of being? Today, spend some time reflecting on that thought.
With my son Brian Hart Hoffman editing one of our new magazines, Bake from Scratch, I have watched him do what I have dreamed of doing—baking bread! He actually bakes everything. I am now learning to bake bread and rolls from sourdough starter that was given to me by my dear friend Ann Dorer. Ann was the first editor of Southern Lady magazine!
My first attempt was good but not great. I didn’t roll my cinnamon rolls tight enough, and I didn’t put enough pecans in the filling, so that challenged me to set aside more time to try again until I get it right! My second attempt was dinner rolls. They were delicious but not as pretty as I would have liked! I’m having fun with this, and I want to really be good at it. Here’s to hoping my third try will be better than the first two!
Wherever you are in your life, carve out time for yourself and do the things you have dreamed of doing. It will bring such happiness to you!
Comments 13
I have always wanted to learn how to make fresh breads! But now maybe something I need to give it a try! My so call craft room also needs my attention to get in there and to start crafting! Working full time with crazy hours and watching grandkids after school leaves very little time for me!!
Love your inspirations and love reading your stories!
The bread in the photo looks like it came from my boulangerie here in France. Impressive!
My chemo ended Oct. 16th and my radiation ended Dec. 11th 2017. I vowed to myself to make this year the year I have “fun!” As one that usually finds that concept almost, but not quite, foreign, it is actually a more challenging task than you might think. I have gone to see three different movies (which is more than I’ve seen in the last three years!), and have begun (and love) a DVD mini-series set in 1950s Australia that I just bought on a lark. And I hope to complete more needlepoint projects this year-a hobby I love. I hope these small attempts to have more fun, help to steer me to a happier year! Do you think they count? I am always inspired and uplifted in enjoying all the Hoffman media publications. I study on them time and time again. I love them so! Thank you!!
My new project this year is to create an Art journal . Yesterday I finished my first page,and I was quite pleased with it. I have been a card, party favor, and occasions decorator,for quite a few years. An artist I’m not. I cannot pass up pretty paper. From Art journaling, my next step is Bible journaling,this I am looking forward to. Phylis, thank you so much for all of articles. Blessings!
Dear Phyllis! You always challenge us to be better… and try new things. I’m working on Soda Bread for St Pats! My first attempt was last year and I was so proud when they turned out. My project for this week…
Then, I will try yours.
Thanks again, you always bring a smile and a challenge!
I received a gift of sourdough starter in the 80’s and began to make two loaves of bread every week. I would have to make bread every week and sometimes could not use it all. I began to take a loaf to my elderly neighbor who loved it and she even asked me to make her two loaves because her daughter was coming for a visit. Sweet memory.
Decide on a task I want to accomplish and do it before mixing in all kinds of other tasks. My wish to whittle down the list one by one. Want to be ready for spring planting season when it come to Cleveland, OH. Will take time for upcoming holiday baking. Ahhh. Wish me luck!
I want to clean out my closets and also get back to my crafts.
Joan
I am going to learn to play the violin.
Marion
I always wanted to speak several languages. I am now trying to learn Latin. Good luck with your baking.
Marilyn
Phyllis, my precious mother always baked the best bread from sourdough starter. Just reading your post brings back so many memories of her bread, rolls, and cinnamon rolls. Thank you for always inspiring me!
Phyllis – You are such an inspiration to me – always giving us something beautiful to think about. I’ve been a fan since the first SOUTHERN LADY came out. I was a stay-at-home mom in the 60’s and 70’s when it was beginning to become ‘out of date’. I got great pleasure from bread baking and baked and experimented with every recipe that sounded good to me. Hamburger buns, hot dog buns, egg bread, cinnamon rolls all made me feel like I was doing something special for my family and friends. I baked ahead and put some in the freezer for later. Gave lots for gifts. For a while, I mostly served homemade bread. One day my four-year-old came home from next door and asked me “Why can’t we go to the store and buy REAL bread like Tim’s mother buys for his peanut butter sandwiches? He says now he DOES NOT remember saying that!
Oh, Carolyn! Your story is so funny and it reminds me of the time when my youngest daughter, again at about the age of 4, asked, “Mommy, why can’t we have the kind of soup that comes out of the red and white can?” And here I had been making wonderful homemade soups from scratch! I loved your story and hope you are still making bread.