I think I've found my calling in life. Baking. I've always loved baking. When I was living back home in Michigan, I would bake brownies or cookies about 2-3 times per week. (of course, that may or may not have been due to a psychological hole I was trying to fill) My mother used to con me into making my own birthday cakes from the time I was old enough to use the oven until I reached high school and I never complained. I actually enjoyed it.

When I moved to Japan, I found myself without an oven and I adapted pretty well. Occasionally I wished for warm gooey, fudgy brownies but I could handle it. Well, I've been become so very...domestic these days. My corridor mates are loving it...not only because they can tease me but because they can sample my food. I cook new recipes (I made an amazing creamy vegitable soup today...healthy AND delicious! I even made my very first bread this past weekend. Until now, my use of ovens has always been for desserts. Never dinner-not even for a baked potato!

I thought that I could just bake a couple loaves every other week or so since I don't eat bread so much...but the first two are gone and I couldn't resist trying out a new recipe tonight. Cuban Bread. This one is even better then the first! I could whip it up and stick it in the oven in less time than it took my laundry to dry, it takes very few ingredients, and it tastes great. Again I added some of my own touches--I really like that musili. Here is a picture of me and my latest creation.

By the way, HERE is a link to the wonderful website from which I've gotten most of my recipes so far. I love it!