What exactly is the
Homemade Bread Society?

The Homemade Bread Society is not a literal baking community (though if that sparks joy, we're all for it). We are a tight-knit group of women who are committed to living lives of down-to-earth purpose, who acknowledge that our stories are as unique as we are, and who embrace the messiness of life in order to create connection, love being moms, and leave this world better than we found it...by making "dough" from home successfully.

The Backstory: Why Homemade Bread?
(no, I am not a master baker)

ONCE UPON A LUMP OF DOUGH

My friend owns a bakery (isn't that awesome?!) and graciously invited our church youth group + leaders to come in after business hours for a behind-the-scenes tour. As she held a batch of dough in her hands and described the bread-making process, the health benefits of using fresh vs processed ingredients, and the connections her work has helped her form with her employees and surrounding community,  a connection sparked in my brain, linking that lump of dough to what I wanted in my life.

Now, I need to pause right here and be crystal-clear that this experience did not catalyze a life of producing 12 loaves of bread for our family every Monday morning for the week (no judgment if this is you). I buy our family's literal bread from the store. Funny enough, to date I've actually never successfully made a loaf of yeast bread! It's super frustrating! ha. I can make the richest, fluffiest rolls on the block...my banana bread has single-handedly performed the errand of angels (thanks for the recipe, Gma!)... but for some reason, I just can't seem to get the risen loaf situation down yet. <shrug> But that's kind of like my life as a mom, a wife, and a woman. There are many things I wish I could do, or aspire to be, and SO many ways I fall short. But there are also things I'm great at, so I can stick with those and keep trying with the others. It's all Homemade Bread!

In other words, Homemade Bread is about...

• Not fitting into a one-size-fits-all mold of how our motherhood and womanhood should be. Think of all of the different kinds of bread. Yeast, quick, flat, rolls, loaves, muffins, pretzels, donuts... all formed from pretty much the same ingredients; just different combinations, quantities, and cooking methods. Kind of like us! 
• Striving for things that are challenging. (again... still haven't made a successful loaf of white or wheat bread. Yet. Mark my words, it will happen). 
• Infusing wholesome learning + growing experiences all throughout our homes and surroundings (have you smelled homemade bread?? HEAVEN.) and creating lasting memories for our kids to carry through life and into their future families.
• Following basic principles, but adding our own modifications to make it work for our talents and tastes.
• Slowing down and doing some things the old-fashioned way (i.e. taking time to let the ingredients work together, rather than rushing just to check things off of a list)
• Creating connection and sharing with others (there's always an extra loaf to give away).
• Making room for spirituality. (bread of life)
• Exchanging the quick and easy for the messier, more challenging, but SO much more rewarding results.
• Total engagement -- rolling up our sleeves and getting in with both of our hands.
• Embracing the mess.

If you've made it this far, you've successfully completed the (unofficial) initiation. WELCOME, my friend, to the Homemade Bread Society.