A Rustic Loaf, a New Neighbor, and a Cinnamon‑Sugar Morning
It had been a while since I’d baked my famous simple rustic bread : the one I always call “simple,” even though it somehow manages to feel a little magical every time it comes out of the oven. This week felt like the perfect moment to bring it back. A new neighbor had just moved in behind us, and from the moment we met, I could tell she was a treasure. The kind of person you’re genuinely excited to get to know. So naturally, I decided to bake her a small loaf of my rustic artisan bread as a welcome gift. Because I can never resist adding a little flair, I topped her loaf with what I imagined would be a whimsical “starry avocado toast” stencil: a constellation of seeds, herbs, and flavor. The taste was phenomenal, bright and savory in all the right ways. The look , however… well, let’s just say the seeds and herbs had their own ideas. They baked into one enthusiastic, slightly chaotic patch on top. Not exactly the celestial artwork I had envisioned. But honestly, the joy of ...
