I bake less in the summer even though it’s when the fruit is both perfect and plentiful. The house is warm and doesn’t need my gas oven blasting in an out-and-out war with the pricy air conditioning. But baking less doesn’t mean I don’t bake at all. The other day, it never got above 60F. I was a baking fool. Other times, if I happen to be up early, I’ll slide a quick fruit coffeecake or a tray of scones into the oven while the house is still open and cool from the night air. In Colorado, it’s not unusual to have temperatures in the 50’s at o’dark thirty. Thank you, weather gods. Birthdays? I’m up at 5 a.m. making cake no matter what. I mean, people need birthday cakes; don’t they? Even when it’s summer? Of course.
Funerals, too, need sweet treats to eat through the grief and to have something to share with other mourners while sipping coffee or punch. (At my funeral, there d*** well better be wine. If it was good enough for Jesus…) Gives you something positive and sacramental (“breaking bread,” right?) to do together while you remember a friend/loved one or think ahead to a life without that special person. So even if it’s hot, I’ll bake for a funeral. Wouldn’t you?
Continue reading
