Dine and Dish

I knew this day would come...I am officially a ma'am. I was at the grocery store yesterday and was having a nice little conversation with the young checkout guy. Then, I moved down to pick up my bags of groceries and the young kid bagging the groceries started up a conversation.

Him - "How are you today, ma'am?"

Me, always willing to chat with someone - "I'm good...how are you doing?"

Him - "Well...it is 6pm on a Saturday night, I've been working since 10 and have to work until 8pm."

Me - From somewhere deep inside me, comes the voice and wisdom of what must be a 90 year old woman..."Well, you have a job. That is a lot to be thankful for."

Him, looking at me like I am insane - "Ma'am...it is 6pm on a Saturday night. I am thankful for my job, but I am also 16 years old. Work is really one of the last places I want to be on a Saturday night."

End of conversation. 

I had a birthday a couple of weeks ago. I am now the ripe old age of 34. I've gone up in the survey age range (are you...age 21-33, 34-50, etc) which first kind of shocked me. Now, I'm getting called ma'am at the grocery store and telling teenagers that they should be thankful to be working, bagging groceries, on a Saturday night. Did I not remember what it was like to have all of my friends hanging out while I was stuck at work? Apparently not because here I am being all old and fogey and getting strange looks from 16 year olds. When did this happen? When did I start getting crows feet and varicose veins? When did I start hearing the words of my own mother coming out of my mouth..."Because I'm the mom and I said so!" Heck...when did going to the grocery store on a Saturday night become the highlight of my day?

Aging really is not that bad. There are just sometimes that it shocks me a bit that I have come to this point in my life. I love my boring, little life, crow's feet and all (however, I could do without those varicose veins!). One thing I do know about myself now compared to myself even 10 years ago...I couldn't bake a thing when I was younger. I had no desire to bake. I just didn't see the point of going to all that trouble for something you could buy at the store, or pop out of a Pillsbury can.

As a tribute to my aging self, I have decided to share with you a recipe that I make on an almost weekly basis at our home. I haven't shared this with you in the past because to be honest with you... it never lasts long enough for me to snap a photo for you. This bread is so incredibly soft and the flavor is fantastic. Easy enough for the old and the young to make. I hope you enjoy!