Baking Bread Is a Labor of Love

Reader Contribution by Carol Winn
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Like-minded. There is much joy in meeting new people and finding out through conversation that you are like-minded in things you love or love to do. Through conversation, experiences are shared and future mistakes may even be avoided by what you learn from your new friends. Unproductive paths might now be avoided because of what you have learned. But then again, that path may still look inviting now that you are aware of its destination. I especially enjoy hearing the stories of those “younger than me” who are putting in a garden for the first time or are so excited about putting in this year’s garden. My daughters and I had the pleasure of having lunch with one of their friends the other day. He was enthusiastic and so willing to share his abundant knowledge of gardening. It made me hopeful for the future and I now have a new, like-minded friend.  

Michigan Maple Syrup

Another like-minded friend has family that produces maple syrup at Mari-Way Farm in Nashville, MI which is attached to MOO-Ville Dairy Creamery. Nashville is located on the southwest side of the mitten. This friend is my maple syrup supplier and I am her supplier of honey, which makes a very sweet friendship. Both of us have placed our orders from this year’s crop. If you have never had “real” maple syrup, you have missed out. First of all, vanilla ice cream with a drizzle of maple syrup is indescribably delicious. Coffee drinkers that take a little sugar in their coffee would be highly encouraged to substitute a teaspoon of this delicacy in place of their regular sweetener. It is an experiment worth trying. But my favorite way to use this gift from the Maple tree is baked in Michigan Maple Bread. The original recipe is from King Arthur Flour and they named it Vermont Maple Bread. But since I am a proud Michigander and have my own maple syrup supplier, I have changed the name of my bread to Michigan Maple Bread. It makes a delicious sandwich bread and when it is baking or toasting, the house smells like cinnamon and maple syrup. Eating what is in season is such a wise thing to do, so this last month rhubarb and strawberries have been popular at our house. One of the sweet things about maple syrup, is that it is a year-long food to enjoy because it’s always in-season.

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