north and south

The verdict is in: I read Elizabeth Gaskell's 1948 novel North and South and loved it. Loved, loved, loved it!

Not only that, it is even better than the movie, that gorgeous dramatic masterpiece. It will go down as one of my favorite books of all time. I loved Gaskell's exploration of human nature, our inherent distrust of the "other" and yet, our innate goodness. I love how she profiled the little idiosyncrasies in human nature {much in Austen fashion}. And, as should be a true marker of good literature, the story is incredibly relevant today. I couldn't help but see a mirror of the economic hardships of our time and the heated push and pull between "classes" that often results in hardship for everyone {think GM and Chrysler, bankruptcy and unions}. The love story at the heart of the book is but a metaphor for the broader themes Gaskell explores. And, N&S is refreshingly redemptive, as is the case with much Victorian literature. I won't spoil the ending, but the writing is immensely gripping and satisfying.

I can't wrap this up without mentioning John Thornton and my love for him that is slightly bordering on obsession. Thornton in the book? Even more intelligent and passionate than the movie version. Believe it! I love how Gaskell layered his personality and, alongside Margaret, we get to discover the heart behind the broody exterior. I hate always to bring up the Austen comparisons {only because I know every self-respecting, red-blooded woman has read her} but John Thornton is like Mr. Darcy unchecked. Mr. Darcy with raw emotion. Move over, indeed.

Not to leave the book's heroine out in the cold, Margaret Hale is refreshingly modern! She's strong and outspoken and unafraid. I love that she is portrayed as incredibly moral and able to engage when her opinions are challenged.

And while we're on the topic: Why in Victorian British literature has no one heard of Gaskell, yet everyone's read the Bronte sisters {Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights} and Charles Dickens. You've probably even heard about George Eliot {pen name for Marian Evans} and most definitely Robert Louis Stevenson. And William Thackeray {Vanity Fair, anyone?}. And Lewis Carroll. But Gaskell has somehow fallen off the map for the general public, and it is my mission to galavanize you intelligent book readers out there to go and read her books. At the very least, watch the BBC Masterpiece Theatre adaptations.

Post-Edit: It's worth mentioning that I racked up some overdue charges since I couldn't bear to part with my copy. I apologize to all those on the wait list! I finally bought this book for my library.

my mother's bread, part III

One of these days I'll write an Ode to the Bosch . . .

. . . but for now can I say how much I love my three baking experts?

And now, here's a bread recipe that I've been loving lately. It's one of my favorites because it's super easy and super yummy.

Easy Whole Wheat Bread
2 1/2 tsp instant yeast, or 1 packet active dry yeast dissolved in 2 TBSP water
1 1/3 cups lukewarm water
1/4 cup vegetable oil (i use olive or canola)
1/4 cup honey, molasses, or maple syrup
3 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup nonfat dried milk
1 1/4 tsp salt

In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients and stir till the dough starts to leave the sides of the bowl. Transfer the dough to a lightly-greased surface, oil your hands, and knead it for 6-8 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and supple. {I do all the above in my Bosch mixer, which you can do if you have a mixer, food processor, or bread machine.} Transfer the dough to a lightly-oiled bowl, cover the bowl, and allow the dough to rise until puffy, though not necessarily doubled in bulk.

Transfer the dough to a lightly-oiled work surface and shape it into an 8-inch loaf. Place the loaf in a lightly-oiled 8 1/2 x 4 1/2-inch loaf pan, cover the pan loosely with lightly-oiled plastic wrap {sometimes i use a warm, damp dish towel} and allow the bread to rise for about 1 hour, or until it's crowned about 1 inch above the edge of the pan. A finger pressed into the dough should leave a mark that rebounds slowly.

Bake the bread in a preheated 350 F-degree oven for about 40 minutes, tenting it lightly with aluminium foil after 20 minutes. Test it for doneness by removing it from the pan and thumping it on the bottom {it should sound hollow}. Remove the bread from the oven, and cool it on a wire rack before slicing. Enjoy!

my mother's bread, part II

Ever since my Mother's Day post, I can't stop thinking about bread. How much I love it. How I have a few exciting new recipes I'm trying out {wish me luck!}. How appropriate that Jesus Christ described himself as the "Bread of Life" {John 6:35}. Somehow, all is right with the world when I can create a warm, nurturing loaf of bread for my little girls. {It deals a heavy blow to mommy guilt, that's for sure!}

Below is a Jewish baker in Jerusalem, making traditional Shabbat bread called challah.
I am trying to learn to braid the challah, something I didn't quite pick up at 5 o'clock in the morning!
The trip down Mt. Scopus into Jerusalem at an unearthly hour was worth it. The best challah I have ever tasted. Complete with my flattering Shabon pants. Shabbat Shalom!
p.s. Stay tuned for a recipe later this week . . . !

my mother's bread

Circa 1979 . . . I'm the baby!

I love my mother. Simply put, she is amazing. Sixteen children, beautiful figure, healthy lifestyle. She is spiritual. She is kind. She is calm.

Of all the things I associate with her, probably my favorite is BREAD. The story goes that after my parents married, my dad taught my mom how to make bread. {Um, Dad, how did you know how?} Regardless, my mother has baked bread every week for the past almost 50 years. I don't mean the occasional loaf. Her bread was the staple of our family.

I love the picture above because it speaks volumes about my mother. She is working, surrounded by her children, and happy! Happy Mother's Day, Mom!