After a night’s sleep – in a warm bed for me and in a cool refrigerator for the starter – everyone seemed to perk up. I fed my mixture its weekly dose of potato flakes and sugar, and was pleased to see my starter gurgling happily. My baking pans are in deep storage and I may not be able to make a real batch of wholesome bread for a week or two. In the meantime, we’re making do with, gulp, store-bought bread.

Ever since receiving a gift of starter from Brenda, my family of four has been reveling in the joys of home-made bread. I will indeed always think of the Barger farm and of Davidson friends whenever I knead my dough here in the Midwest. If you are ever in Madison on a Thursday in the early afternoon, just follow the delicious smell of fresh baked bread to my door and come on in for a slice!