the night before christmas
february 14, 2011
Salaam Dear Ones,
My work week began today, and last night I slept like a child does the night before Christmas, waking up every few hours, looking at the clock and wondering if I can get up yet because something wonderful is going to happen when I do. I do this during intensives and Community programs too. Finally, at ten to four, I couldn't take it anymore and jumped out of bed. It's just so fun to go work!
I feel like I'm starting to get the hang of it, although it's really hard to knead dough the way they do, and every bread is quite specific, with its own particular characteristics. And, of course, baking is all about the details. I am taking notes like mad and organizing them so that, hopefully, I can come home and recreate at least a few of these amazing creations. Andreas, Juergen and Wolfgang are laughing at the thought of me teaching anyone how to do this, when I can barely shape a loaf myself. But they assure me I'll get the hang of it, and like riding a bike, it will suddenly, unexpectedly, all come together. In the meantime, I just keep practicing. Where have we heard this before?
I continue to be astounded by they way they work together and am attaching a picture of the three of them making a pastry. You will see three sets of hands working over one dough. It's like a concert with them or a dance. They swirl around each other, barely touching, in an orchestrated flow, understanding intrinsically where each other is going. They really know how to get 'er done. I hope to instill some of these practices in my team when I return. Perhaps there are other places where we could be working together instead of apart. It's a paradigm shift...definitely not the American rugged individual thing. It's a lot of fun!
Love you all so much,
fattie
My work week began today, and last night I slept like a child does the night before Christmas, waking up every few hours, looking at the clock and wondering if I can get up yet because something wonderful is going to happen when I do. I do this during intensives and Community programs too. Finally, at ten to four, I couldn't take it anymore and jumped out of bed. It's just so fun to go work!
I feel like I'm starting to get the hang of it, although it's really hard to knead dough the way they do, and every bread is quite specific, with its own particular characteristics. And, of course, baking is all about the details. I am taking notes like mad and organizing them so that, hopefully, I can come home and recreate at least a few of these amazing creations. Andreas, Juergen and Wolfgang are laughing at the thought of me teaching anyone how to do this, when I can barely shape a loaf myself. But they assure me I'll get the hang of it, and like riding a bike, it will suddenly, unexpectedly, all come together. In the meantime, I just keep practicing. Where have we heard this before?
I continue to be astounded by they way they work together and am attaching a picture of the three of them making a pastry. You will see three sets of hands working over one dough. It's like a concert with them or a dance. They swirl around each other, barely touching, in an orchestrated flow, understanding intrinsically where each other is going. They really know how to get 'er done. I hope to instill some of these practices in my team when I return. Perhaps there are other places where we could be working together instead of apart. It's a paradigm shift...definitely not the American rugged individual thing. It's a lot of fun!
Love you all so much,
fattie