free-form

For the majority of my adult life I have clung to the security of the tried and true. I never strayed from established recipes and sewing patterns. I practically used a paint by numbers approach when it came to art. And so I consider my recent foray into sewing without patterns and cooking without recipes quite an accomplishment. Sewing without the constraints of a pattern has been delightful. Cooking without guidance hasn't been quite as successful - maybe since it coincided with my most recent pregnancy. Funny how avocados, grapefruit, chicken and rice could sound divine to me, and yet even my adventurous husband couldn't bring himself to finish his first helping. After a few similar episodes, my confidence is a bit deflated.

Perhaps that is why I have found such satisfaction in making free-form artisan bread. Though I use a recipe, it is still liberating to let the loaf rise and bake without the constraints of a pan. My willingness to relinquish control is what allows the variability and interest of the end result.
A worthy lesson to remember in all my creative pursuits.