When you look at the photo associated with this post, what do you think? “Mmmmm… fresh homemade Challah bread.” That would be the logical thing to think, now wouldn’t it? When I took this bread out of the oven today, do you know the first thing I thought of? “Oh… it looks like a little newborn baby all swaddled up burrito style.”
It is official everyone… I have baby fever.
I know! You thought after this incident, that baby fever wouldn’t hit again, didn’t you? Reading through that post from that awful day, I am honestly amazed by it myself. Then you thought, “Oh, her kids are getting a bit older now, things are running fairly smoothly these days… she can get out of the house without a diaper bag full of the necessities for a newborn. She gets to sleep through the night… no nursing sessions every 2 hours each and every day. Why would she want to add another baby into the mix to just cause chaos in her already semi-chaotic world?” Yeah, exactly. You are so right. I should listen to you more often.
But, you know what, it is still there and it isn’t going away.
A special thanks for starting this whole fever goes out to you, you, you and you know what… I’m even blaming you a bit just because my Ella was born on the same day as Shiloh, and here you are going and having more babies. It also doesn’t help matters that Ella is at about the cutest stage of life ever… well, minus the humongous fits and incredibly strong personality… she really is doing some adorable things these days. Really, she is… trust me.
There was a reason we have been getting rid of all of our baby stuff the second Ella grows out of it… my husband is 100%, completely and totally happy to have three kids. It is probably a good thing he doesn’t read my blog or I imagine I would be padlocked away in a room somewhere until I reached menopause.
Tomorrow, I am sure I’ll change my mind. Someone will puke on my head, we will have a grocery store meltdown, or even worse… the children will eat all the bread that I made and I won’t get a single bite. Oh, wait! That did happen. In fact, it happend tonight with my little bambino loaf of Challah bread. I took the bread out of the oven, had one tiny nibble while it was still hot (because I personally can’t contain myself when it comes to waiting for bread to cool), left for a two hour meeting and came back to no bread. Not even a single crumb. Hubby placed blame on the kids, which I am not completely buying, but I do bet those little selfish creatures had a lot to do with it.
Well, guess what. Baby fever is officially out the window. I can share my body, I can share my life… I can even get through diaper bags, 2am feedings, grocery store meltdowns, puking on the head, etc., but I draw the line at sharing food with one more person in this family. So, back off baby thoughts, the next loaf is mine. All mine.
Braided Bread Machine Challah
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 1/2 cups bread flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 7 teaspoons vegetable oil
- 2 egg yolks
- 2/3 cup water
Instructions
- Place ingredients into bread machine according to manufacturers directions.
- Set on dough cycle.
- Place dough onto a lightly floured board and divide into three equal parts.
- Stretch or roll each part into 9" ropes and braid.
- Place on greased cookie sheet, cover and let rise for about 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Mix together one egg yolk and a tablespoon of water and brush over bread, then sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds, if desired.
- Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until golden brown.
- Cool on wire rack.
Ahhhh, you like homemade bread, do you? Check out these tasty recipes from other bloggers around the blogosphere:
- Fresh Tomato and Basil Whole Wheat Sourdough Bread, from Farmgirl Fare
- No Knead Bread, from Steamy Kitchen
- Rustic Bread, from The Fresh Loaf
- Irish Soda Bread, from Closet Cooking
- Caramelized Onion Bread, from One Hot Stove
[eatingclub] vancouver || js says
“When I took this bread out of the oven today, do you know the first thing I thought of? “Oh… it looks like a little newborn baby all swadled up burrito style.”
LOL.
Is it still baby fever when it does look like a baby? LOL It does, it really does!
[eatingclub] vancouver || jss last blog post..Our Own Domain
noble pig says
These are beautiful and cute, and yes you better hide it from the kids.
noble pigs last blog post..I Know this Woman Whose Husband…
julie says
You are not alone in this afflicted illness. 🙂
Patricia Scarpin says
I’m not sure yet if I want kids, and sometimes I wonder what happened, since I used to want them so much.
Come on over, let’s go to my sister-in-law’s house with 3 small kids running around and dirty couches and not a place to stand and you’ll change your mind. 😉
Patricia Scarpins last blog post..Linguine with zucchini, capers, lemon, pine nuts and herbs and a tribute to Sher
Nella says
What a goog blog! Certainly stirred up(good cooking term) some memories. I know. I now have grands and when they were babies, just holding them and smelling their heads made me feel good. Just like it did when my 34 year old daughter was a baby. The “urge to have” has been replaced by the “urge to hold”. Keep up the good writing and cooking!
Terry B says
Since you speak of your current kids in the plural, let me tell you our little rule of thumb babywise: Never let your kids outnumber you. I know plenty of people do, but we stuck to two and have somehow managed to maintain at least some of our sanity.
Sorry you didn’t get any of that beautiful bread, but it seems to have served as an early warning device for you. Maybe that’s enough.
Terry Bs last blog post..Black-eyed pea salsa, big-flavored steaks
Nella says
goog=good
Terry B says
Oops. Just checked About Your Hostess and see that you have three kids. “You’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din.”
Terry Bs last blog post..Black-eyed pea salsa, big-flavored steaks
sharon says
I often get baby fever when I look around and all my friends are pregnant! We took a day trip to the zoo the other weekend & it squashed all desires for children 🙂
BTW, little Ella is gorgeous even with her bedhead 🙂 I love her name.
sharons last blog post..Turkey Feta Pizzas & More DC Happenings
Nicisme says
The bread does look like a newborn, but it’s not making me feel broody – I just want to gobble it up!
Lovely recipes you have here Kristen, and great photos!
Nicismes last blog post..Mexican Layered Dip
Psychgrad says
Nice looking challah! Lately, I am finding being around women with well-behaved, clean children is very dangerous.
Psychgrads last blog post..Daring Bakers – Filbert Gateau with Praline Buttercream
Psychgrad says
Oh neat – I like the last blog post thing. That’s new, right? Or, am I just noticing it now?
Psychgrads last blog post..Daring Bakers – Filbert Gateau with Praline Buttercream
Deborah says
I’m super excited for our new addition, but I sometimes wonder what I’ve gotten myself into after stories like this!! 🙂 But then again, I already have a husband that eats everything. In fact, I got a call the other day – sorry, I know you said to save some cookies so you could take a picture, but I ended up eating all of them…
Deborahs last blog post..The Daring Bakers – July
My Sweet & Saucy says
If I have Challah in the house then everyone knows to stay away…it is too darn delicious to share with anyone!
Trysha says
Hehe…I’ve got a kid bouncing on my lap playing Power Rangers, the other on my right side getting “packed up for kindergarten” (even though school doesn’t start for another 2 1/2 weeks) and ANOTHER kid jabbing me in the ribs.
But I’d do it all over again. 🙂
And anytime you want to come on over and change newborn diapers you just let me know. The doors open.
Carmen says
Wow ……… we’ve been married 1 year and no kids yet – and reading your post about the doctor’s visit makes me not want to have kids..at all…haha. 🙂 I admire mothers. I just don’t know how you do it! The bread looks delish!
Carmens last blog post..Red Curry Tofu
The Cat's Pajamas says
Okay. If I could explain really quickly: for the past 3 weeks I have been TERRIFIED that I was preggers. About 15 minutes before I clicked on your site, I found out that I was indead, not preganant- just crazy. So imagine, if you will, having an all out freakout when I opened up to see that picture. The title above didn’t even register to me… it really looks like a baby! You’re not seeing things.
~The Cat’s Pajamas
The Cat’s Pajamass last blog post..Barefoot! Coeur a la Creme
Sylvia says
I really spent a great time here and you make me laugh on your previous post. I had the same problems when I started to get green. 9 to 10 times I forgot my bag and sometimes I had to carry packages in my arms(the grocery is near my place)
Thanks for visit my blog Your blcg is cool.
Sylvias last blog post..From Sicily with love : Sicilian Caponata
Jaden, Steamy Kitchen says
haha! i said ‘little baby bundle’ too!
Jaden, Steamy Kitchens last blog post..Xiao Long Bao – Shanghai Steamed Soup Dumplings
Neen says
You know… it does look like a swaddled up baby. Is it already Thursday? Challah makin’ time.
Neens last blog post..Clam Chowder in Sourdough Bowls: Bringing the Wharf home
Jeanine says
LOL, your post made me giggle. I have a 2 (nearly 3) year old, and can relate. Funny how your loaf of bread spoke to you, it’s almost like seeing the face of Mary in a slice of toast, huh? 🙂
Sue (coffeepot) says
Oh it looks wonderful and I bet the kids loved it.
I love that it is bread machine as I am a bread machine addict.
Sue (coffeepot)s last blog post..Independence Days Update
Bellini Valli says
The bread does look like a baby…but to me it appears to be a cocoon where a butterfly will emerge…no baby thoughts here… my daughter is now 21…wink…wink:D
Bellini Vallis last blog post.."New to Me" Potato Salad
Alexa says
What a lovely loaf of challah. My kids would kill me if I hid it from them… good luck on that one and enjoy 🙂
Alexas last blog post..Candied Orange Muffins with Rosemary
cakewardrobe says
That looks absolutely perfect! I wish I were the kids!
heather morrow says
hey, now! i don’t make these babies….i just photograph them. next time i shoot a newborn i’m sure i’ll refer to her as a little loaf of challah and my client will look at me like, WHUUUUUUT? and then i can blame YOU! :o)
Gina says
Having my third child almost sent me over the edge – I was ready to run away from home and never come back. And when I found out that #4 was on the way (um…don’t send the kids packing to grammie’s when you’re fertile) I was terrified. But now, he’s almost 6 months old and you know what? Four is *much* easier than three. 🙂 And as happy as I am that he’s our last baby, I’ve actually found myself crying over the fact that he *is* my last baby (apparently I’ve already forgotten about my delivery and recovery…both of which were less than fun)
Ginas last blog post..Operation Baking GALS
Jo says
Look at that beautiful challah – and made by gentile hands, no less! (Ummm, calling it “challah bread” was a dead giveaway…it’s simply “challah.” Delicious, doughy, infant-like challah. Nice job!)
Hillary says
This blog post could not come at a more appropriate time for me. First of all, lovely challah! Secondly, I’m expecting a new niece or nephew any minute now (my sister in law’s due date was yesterday) so I’ve got babies on the brain as well! I can’t wait for the phone call but maybe I should prepare some baby challah to bring over first! 🙂
Hillarys last blog post..We’re on So Good Blog!
Gigi says
WOW, you have been busy! I haven’t been in here in awhile and it was nice to catch up. The recycling, cakes, mac and cheese, the baby challah and so much more! 🙂
Gigis last blog post..Milk Chocolate-Malt Ice Cream
:) says
Oh god, I love LOVE LOVE Challah bread! I used to eat it all the time when I lived in NYC and now that I’m in California, I don’t get as much (it’s more of a Sourdough state). I’m going to definitely try this recipe out!
:)s last blog post..Scandanavian food: Copenhagen
LyB says
Yep, baby fever, that comes and goes around here. I seem to be the only one affected by it though. lol! I’ve never made Challah before, it looks fabulous, I really have to try it. 🙂
LyBs last blog post..Tuesdays With Dorie – Summer Fruit Galette
Marni says
maybe if you took another look at that challah photo, you’d see that it’s not a baby at all, but a lightbulb, or a hot air balloon, or an ice cream. see? you had it wrong all along! 🙂
Marnis last blog post..Fruit Squares
Jude says
Your post reminds me of that guy in Austin Powers.
“Looks like a baby. Get in my belly.”
Judes last blog post..Chicken Adobo in Coconut Milk
Stef says
Such a cute post! Challah is my all time favorite bread. I LOVE it!
Stefs last blog post..Really Sticky Candy with Applesauce