b(re)aking bread

So I have a mental list of cooking techniques I'd like to master attempt, and bread-baking is pretty much at the top of the list.  I have no bread machine and I don't even know if I want one.  (Do I want one?)  I just want to learn how to make awesome bread!  And then eat it.

Coincidentally, I've been on the hunt for the perfect cooking class to attend so that I may use the Dierbergs giftcard my ridiculously pretty sister Becki gave me for Christmas a couple years ago.  (Which she gave to me knowing I'd use it for a class and not for apples made of 14k gold.)

So I chose a bread-baking class and Becki also signed up.  The assignment was to make a baguette of New York Rye and a loaf of Whole Grain Wheat.  It was taught by this adorable old lady who shared many tips for successful bread-baking and earnestly expressed how bread-baking "is a wonderful, womanly art" and how "you should always make an extra loaf to share with a friend."  How sweet is that?!? 

At that point Becki (who shares my dream of being a SAHM and eating bonbons all day raising our children) turned to me and whispered, "Don't you wish you could stay home all day and do wonderful womanly things like bake bread?" 

"Yes, Becki.  That WOULD be my very biggest dream come true."  [Actual, more colorful response omitted per the FCC's Eric's request.] 

i told you she was adorable.

she was too.

however, i look greasy and pasty.  kind of like the dough.

exhibit 1: whole wheat.
"eelicious!" as Finn would say.

exhibit 2: ny rye.
"get in my mouth."  as I would say.

We walked out with paper bags containing our hot-from-the-oven loaves.  And of course we filled a shopping basket with honey butter and apple butter to go with it. (I also found chocolate soy-nut butter for Finn. Fancy, Dierbergs, fancy!) The bread smelled incredible and tasted even better. And both loaves were gone in 3 days.  EEE-licious!