One of the driving forces I have in starting up this recipe blog is my desire to share my love and knowledge about baking and yummy food with you so that you can learn a new skill, improve your skills or share your baking expertise with others. I believe that anyone and everyone can learn to bake if they want to. All it takes is practice and finding the right information and recipes to help you be successful in the kitchen.

We have all been working on new skills during this pandemic

During this COVID-19 pandemic, I have seen people baking and in their kitchens even more than they normally would be. Most of us have had time to hone different skills and learn some new ones over the last few months. I have loved seeing the messages from old friends and new friends showing me the new recipes they’ve tried and their successes. I also love being able to help troubleshoot some failures. Thank you for reaching out to me. It has helped keep me “going” during this difficult time of social distancing and self-quarantine.

Baking builds bridges

I see baking as a natural bridge builder. In a time of social distancing and being physically apart from those we love, baking gives me a way to show others that I care about them and that they are not forgotten. I grew up always making “a little extra” so I could take a treat, a loaf of bread or a plate of brownies to a friend or a neighbor. To this day I like to make extra loaves of bread and give them away. Who doesn’t love a fresh loaf of bread or plate of warm cookies?

As restrictions begin lifting in many of our cities and states, I have been thinking of ways that we can all connect. Many places, Kentucky included (where I live), will have restrictions of gatherings of no more than ten people until July. While we are figuring out this “new normal,” I’ve decided to challenge myself to #sharealoaf. I will use some of the baking skills I’ve worked on or learned during this pandemic and help bless the lives of people around me by sharing and giving a loaf of bread or a yummy treat to friends, neighbors and acquaintances in my community. So many people are feeling down and facing deep challenges right now. It could be a friend, a neighbor, an acquaintance or even yourself. I find that for me, the best therapy for when I am feeling down is to do something for someone else, so I’m going to #sharealoaf.

If you want to join me, please do. I believe that it is the small, constant, simple things that turn into future great things.

So, here’s how it works

The next time you bake something, double your recipe. It’s a simple as that. It can be a plate of cookies, some toffee bars, a loaf of white bread or your own specialty. If you are short on time, have your kids run it to your next door neighbor or if you have more time, take a drive and drop it off at someone’s home that you haven’t connected with in a while. Porch delivery consistent with social distancing is great right now. I am planning to involve my kids and let them choose some people to drop some goodies off to. The whole idea of #sharealoaf is to bring a smile to someone’s face, to let them know that they are loved, that someone cares. I know that these small, simple acts of service go a long way.

#SHAREALOAF over the next two weeks

Over the next two weeks, I would love to see the loaves and treats you are sharing with others. Please tag me @amybakesbread and use the hashtag #sharealoaf so we can see how our small efforts can go a long way. I wish that I could #sharealoaf and bring it to your door, but hopefully my recipes will work instead.

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