Dear friend,
I’ll be honest and share that it’s not been the easiest week ‘round these parts. Like most of the world (it seems) I’ve been down for the count with illness — as I type these words, my voice is completely gone. Instead of words, I can only manage to squeak. My kids think it’s hilarious. If you happen to listen to next week’s Homemaker Chic podcast episode, I apologize in advance for the Smurf-ness.
I had planned to share What I Cook When Life Gets Full over on our YouTube channel, and I suppose I should be very thankful indeed that the Lord allowed this cold to take hold. I could not have made a more honest reflection of our week (in food form, of course) if I tried.
In another world, like a Dickens novel, I would have rested in bed under the care of my husband for weeks on end until I was fully healed. Jane Austen would’ve certainly sent me to the seaside to pass my illness with fresh air. In real life, I’m still moving laundry from the washing machine to the dryer, vacuuming floors, finding lost socks, and ask you can see cooking.
The people have spoken and then must eat!
His & Hers
I shouldn’t still be surprised that my favorite moments in life are also often the simplest. A good hummingbird sighting in the garden can have me buzzing all afternoon. A fresh hand-towel in the kitchen is a delight to my heart; clean, warm socks an absolute thrill.
Since I was under the weather this week, Georgia (our oldest daughter, 15) mixed up the “daily bread” for our kitchen… which during the week typically means two large loaves of yeasted, einkorn sandwich bread. It came out of the oven warm, golden, and fragrant.
The days have been shockingly grey and bleak here. We were all very comforted by sight of the loaves cooling on the counter.
After dinner, Stuart made me a cappuccino (almost illegal in Italy to drink after dinner, but I’ve never been much of a rule-follower). I, at the same time, cut him a thick slice of warm bread and slathered it in butter and wild blueberry jam.
He came to greet me in the kitchen with my cappuccino, just as I was leaving the kitchen to greet him with his bread.
His and hers met in the kitchen, each of us tenderly looking out for the other.
It was small moment, but a sweet one, filled with love. I wanted to remember it always.
Our Other Home
I’ve settled peacefully into a place of uncertainty about Italy and our future with it. I dream of it almost every night. Twenty years after I first visited, I’m as infatuated with it as I was back then.
Through my studies, friends, and connections, I’m well aware of its many faults, yet I still consider it to be the place of my heart. Why do we love what we love? What causes such a response deep in our bones? I’m okay with my passion for this place not making sense to the world, or even to myself completely. My life in the United States is very good. I love my home and my community. We are very content here and have far more than we deserve.
But Italy. Dangit. What do I do with this love for you.
I’ve tried to articulate my feelings and have yet to be able to. I suppose it’s enough for me, now, to acknowledge that it is — and leave the rest to the Lord, praying that the path will rise up to meet my feet wherever that path may lead.
With this trip, we are going to take you to our other home. To introduce you to our friends, feed you, and show you what a week in Italy can do for one’s soul.
Honey & Oat Bars
You can make these because you like the clean ingredients, because you like the homemade price tag, or because you like the delicious taste. These are what I tuck into my kid’s bags on coop days as a treat. They’re delightful. These are a recipe from The Cooking Community, our online community that highlights real food for real life. You can learn more about it here.
4 cups rolled oats
⅔ cup whole wheat flour or flour of choice
3 tablespoons maple sugar or sugar of choice
¾ teaspoon salt
⅔ cup honey
⅓ cup butter or olive oil
¾ teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a standard baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
To a large bowl, add in the oats and wheat flour. Stir to combine.
In a saucepan, over low heat, combine the maple sugar, salt, honey, and butter. Bring to a simmer for three minutes. The longer you simmer the mixture, the harder the bars will be in the end. Add in the baking soda and vanilla extract and stir to combine.
Pour the butter mixture over the oat mixture and stir well until the oats are evenly coated. Transfer the oats into the baking tray and use a spatula to press the mixture down in an even layer, making sure it makes it all the way to the edges.
Bake for 30 minutes or until very golden. If you’d like your bars extra crumbly, you can reduce the heat to 275 and bake for an additional 20 minutes.
Remove the tray from the oven. Let rest for five minutes. Lift the tray 6” off the counter and drop it a few times - this will release bubbles and help the bars to condense and flatten. Allow the bars to cool in the baking tray. As they cool, you can press the bars down with your hand to further flatten.
Cut into bars, as desired.
Click the recipe card above to download your free printable PDF.
2016
Looking back at ten years ago is trending all over social media… here’s a few of my personal favorites from a decade ago! I could devour these little ones.
My hope is that this letter finds you with your table, and heart, full.
Love,
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