Dolls, dough and devotions.

I spend my days striving for balance amidst what can be a lot of chaos. I so often have a mindful idea of what my day might look like, the things I'll accomplish and do. However, the demands of being a mama of 5 can leave me with my head spinning and my to-do list flying off into the wind.

I need to decide what is important, and what isn't. What to do first?

Relationships. Needs. Playtime.

I have been writing a simple summer schedule for myself. Quite a simple one, really. Yet, it puts my whole day into a right perspective. Certain days lend themselves to certain things. A day set aside for heavier cleaning and laundry, one for friends, baking, and so on. Also, on most Fridays we'll head into a nearby town for library storytime at the beach, shopping at our favorite thrift shops, and swimming the rest of the afternoon.

A little routine to our weeks.

My main focus through all of this? Relationships. First with the Lord, and then with my family and others.

The most significant part of the schedule for me is setting 10 minutes or more aside each morning for prayer. I know it doesn't sound like a whole lot. But, I have found that if I don't purposefully set aside that time with the Lord, it may not happen at all. Yes, I pray little prayers through my day....but, it's different. It's kinda like the difference between having small talk with your husband as you pass each other through your day, versus sitting down with him on the couch and having a real conversation.

Big difference.

So, with a renewed mind and heart, I can focus on the tasks at hand.

Whether it be playing dollhouse with my little girl, or making fresh bread for my family, I know the most important relationship I have is my true focus. All of my other tasks are accomplished with this in mind.

The above bread is what I hope to be making every Tuesday for my family. Have you seen the price of healthy bread lately? Yikes. Besides, who doesn't love the smell of fresh-baked bread wafting through their home?

Whole wheat honey bread

2 1/2 cups warm water

1 cup sprouted flour (or spelt or whole wheat)

1 1/2 cups spelt flour (or whole wheat)

2 1/2 teaspoons yeast (recommend SAF)

halfway between 1/4 cup and 1/2 cup of honey

3Tablespoons of oil

~Mix gently (I do this in my kitchenaid mixer with the bread hook attachment), and proof (meaning just let it sit in the bowl after mixing together)-- all above ingredients for 45 minutes~

After proofing, mix in 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 more cups of spelt or whole wheat flour in. You could also mix in flax seed, ground flax seed or sunflower seeds in at this point. Or, use your imagination. You know you added enough when it starts to come clean off the sides of the bowl.

Knead in the bowl for 8 minutes--not 7, not 9---8 minutes.

Divide into 2 loaf pans (we prefer stoneware), or make into round loaves or hamburger buns

For loaves bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes (Check at 30 minutes.)

Enjoy!

Blessings,

~Joy

{This post is a part of Works for me Wednesday, as well as Real Food Wednesday, Pennywise Platter, Frugal Friday and Fight Back Friday}