I am eternally grateful for Laura who lived in Uganda for many years and shared her knowledge.  When my friend, Leslie and I arrived, we had no idea the gold that Laura gave us in these cookbooks.  This led to many hours of experimenting and joy in the family as we created meals from scratch.  Ok, for sure, at first, it was like boot camp and gut check, because we had to earn these skills, but joy came later!

I will do a series on bread from various cookbooks and the first is from this.

I hope you can click on the image and use it or print it.  If not and you want this, email me.  Or, if you live overseas and want a copy of a packet of my favorites, email me and I will mail one to you! 

This was a great help where there is no Pillsbury.  I know we are in a whole grain and homemade movement, but I am a child of the 70's, so I was raised on Pillsbury and called my mom blessed when crescent rolls showed up on the table!  So, I probably upgraded slightly to Mrs. Bairds whole wheat, but I still did not make my own bread at the point I moved to Uganda and I did not have money for regular trips to a bakery for something better.

Every Christmas, I still make the Sticky Buns from this recipe which was a tradition we started while living in Uganda.  My friend Karol, who lived overseas for years as a child and then with her family in Ecuador modeled the idea of traditions and routines for food while living cross culturally.  I am finding myself gravitating to that this year in my home country.  I have made a lunch and breakfast schedule.  I plan on Thursdays, shop on Saturdays and cook on Mondays.  Friday and Monday are on your own, but Tuesday is pancake/waffle day, Wednesday some type of eggs and Thursday is smoothie day.  Friday and Monday, kids pack their own lunch.  Tue-Thurs. they bring a meal--like curry pasta chicken salad, fettucni alfredo, beef noodle bowls.  I largely cook from Pioneer Woman lunches for the lunch.  It has been so fun and eased a lot of fuss and stress.  To have a routine and rhythm is so good in many areas and we are benefitting from this new routine.

I love cooking from scratch. It was hard and not so romantic in Uganda b/c you had almost no shortcuts, BUT it was a creative outlet and I keep it up in my home country.  I enjoy it even more being on a schedule!

It is a place of cross roads for me, I always think of Uganda and my time there as I slow it down and make these meals.  I am grateful for the process and for years of experimenting.  I think it's been good for everyone, as I hope it will be for you!