IT'S ALIIIIIVE..........

I feel like Dr. Frankenstein. Why you may ask? Because I've taken these two hands...

Okay, not these two hands-
those hands are just some random model's hands. I didn't have the inclination ability to take a picture of my own hands so I just stole borrowed these from the almighty web. If you want a true sense of this story picture my hands chubbier, with half bitten nails, and throw in some dry skin for good measure. There you have it. Now you're on board with this story. I took my own two hands and created something glorious.

So, what did I create? Okay, it wasn't an inanimate monster brought to life but, I'm proud of it none the less.
I made my first batch of bread.

And when I say bread, I don't mean I hooked up a bread machine to churn things out (I have no idea how bread machines work). I used my oven and my hands and that's it.

I didn't have the courage until I read this book,  Artisan Bread In Five Minutes A Day.

I first read about it on the Nester's Blog. I checked it out at my local library (free!) and set to work.
And with only flour, water, salt, yeast, and an oven-I made bread.

See?

That is my trial loaf. It was awesome. I felt so...empowered. I'm not one for baking bread but now I feel all Little-House-On-the-Prairie-like. Like if I was somehow thrown back into that time period I could survive (never mind the lack of electricity, plumbing, refrigerators, etc.).

I know, its a little anti-climactic for all you "I've been baking bread since I was 5 years old in my e-z bake oven" people. But I was am so proud of myself.
I took loads of pictures and my husband said it turned out great! It was very dense like sourdough and was yummy with some butter slathered on top.
Okay, more pics.

I even made 2 extra loaves I was feeling so enraptured with my baking skills. The cool thing about this is that you can make a big batch and refrigerate it for up to 2 weeks. So, fresh bread any night of the week! And then when that's done just make another batch on the weekend. YEA!

 So, there it is. My masterpiece. My creation. My own two hands.