Cinnamon Bread!

While living in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan a few years ago, we used to gather with friends to play cards and eat into the wee hours of the morning. One of the treats we'd have comes from the kitchen of our dear friend Kris. Warm, homemade cinnamon bread and a hot cup of coffee was always an eye-opener before we'd head into the cold winter air and head home.

Since those times we've made this bread countless times, and it is always welcome at family and church gatherings. Easy to make, this recipe yields four delicious loaves. (Sometimes we make a double batch, and freeze the loaves to have on hand for spur of the moment occasions.)

Cinnamon Bread
Main ingredients:
1 cup canola oil
4 cups white sugar
4 eggs
4 cups buttermilk
4 tsp baking soda
8 cups flour

Topping:
1 1/2 cups white sugar
5 Tb cinnamon
1 tsp salt

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Makes 4 loaves.

In a large, deep mixing bowl, mix all dry main ingredients together. In a separate bowl, mix the wet main ingredients and beat well.

Make a well in the dry ingredients and slowly incorporate the wet ingredients until completely mixed. (Warning: you can do this by hand, but it will definitely give your arm a workout!)

Mix the topping separately in a small bowl. (Extra topping is great on a slice of toast with butter!)

Divide 1/2 of the mixed batter into 4 greased and floured bread pans. Add several spoonfuls of the topping mixture on top of the batter. Swirl lightly with a knife. Add the remaining batter to the pans, along with several more spoonfuls of the topping. Swirl again.

That's it! Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
(Hint: I usually rotate the pans after 30 minutes to get even baking.)

Let cool and un-pan. Enjoy!

A New Pair of Glasses

Not too long ago I was in a meeting room with a fairly large number of people. As meetings go, it was a typical, agenda-based, PowerPoint infused Rah-Rah session...and boring! My mind (and eyes) tend to wander during meetings like this, and that day was no exception. Looking around the room at the various folks, they all seemed to be each in their own little world (like me), rather than paying attention to the presentations.

One or two were playing with their phones, either texting someone or playing a game, who knows? Others were doodling in their notebook; some struggling to keep their eyes open (of course they plan these things around lunch time. You know, fill up on carbs, then get lulled into a semi-comatose state!)

Anyway, as my eyes wandered from one person to the next, I couldn't help but think about each one. What are their lives like away from the work place? Are they the same at home as they are at work? I tend to doubt it, in most cases anyway. In fact, many of them probably have multiple personalities (depending on the environment and what has been consumed!).

So, why do I contemplate these things? Maybe because it wasn't that long ago that I too, suffered from trying to be "just right" or to "fit in". No matter where I was, I'd adjust my personality accordingly. Maybe I still do to some degree (after all, it  really wouldn't be appropriate to let out an expression of my most recent gastronomic delight while sitting in the pew on Sunday morning would it?).

The truth is, I really didn't want people to see how I really was. Because I was ashamed of that person.

What changed?

I got a "new pair of glasses".

Without going into too much detail, I was dying of a fatal disease, had three heart attacks, a minor stroke. I was over-weight. Smoked too much. Got little, to no exercise. The path I was on was leading me to an early grave without a doubt. It was just a matter of time before life would be over for me.

Until...

[Gordon Lightfoot, in his "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" wrote, "does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours?" I can relate to those words. But unlike the poor crew of the Edmund Fitzgerald, I was rescued from the tumultuous waters of life when God reached down and pulled me up. Not by any imagination was I responsible for my rescue. It was a miracle!]

Looking at the world through my new glasses, there is so much to see! Some of it beautiful and wonderful, some of it pretty ugly and disgusting. Reality is what it is. People are who they are. My new glasses show me that reality, and my reactions to people have changed. With fairness and love, not hate or prejudice. (Although, I DO get irritated at ignorance, greed and self-serving. Especially those drivers who pull out right in front of you when there is no one behind you for two miles!)

Anyway, if you find yourself always tired, always irritable and trying to change the world, get yourself a "new pair of glasses". You'll be amazed at how different the world looks to you!

Jesus said,

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11: 27-29