"I love you" bread.

I saw this bread on Kristen and Allison's blog, Lullaby Lubbock, and I had to make it. I've never made bread in my life, that's how tempting it is. Kristen made it yesterday with her little munchkins and it looked fantastic.
Joe had a big presentation this morning, and you know how it is when what you can do to help is so limited, but you want to help somehow? I thought I'd make him this bread, and call it "I love you, you'll do awesome" bread, and then somehow it would magically help him. Not that he needs it, because he's the man.
I started yesterday with my coworker and friend Becky. We went to Target during lunch and got a rolling pin and bread pan. The money I spent on that may have negated any warm feelings the bread would conjure up for my poor husband... but its an INVESTMENT.
I envisioned that we would eat it warm from the oven the next morning as we reviewed his notes together. He would feel loved and amazing, and thus obviously have a fantastic presentation...well nourished, heart, soul, and stomach.
I gathered all of the ingredients and got to work last night.

I mixed things together according to the instructions.

And then I had dough. At this point I got a little overwhelmed and had to pour myself a glass of wine.

Then I covered it in plastic and a clean kitchen towel and set it in a warm place. Leon loves bread, and the heater. Don't worry, his head is behind the bowl, not in it.

Then I refrigerated it overnight. I planned on waking up early, taking it out to rest, and then making it with enough time for leisurely eating.

So I randomly woke up before my alarm and got up and took it out of the fridge. I went back to sleep, and turned out my alarm in my half-sleep haze. I proceded to have a pleasant dream about making the bread and getting ready for my day. Luckily Joey's alarm was set for just 30 min after mine, so I was still able to make it. When I heard it go off, my first thought was "OH MY GOD, THE BREAD!" then it changed to "ohhh, its okayyy, I already made it." Thanks a lot dream brain.

So I got up and rolled out the dough. At this point I felt like 'hey! I'm doing it!'

Oh the irony of measuring it with my waist-measuring tape.

Then I exploded butter in my microwave... and had a little re-do melt your butter on the stove in a saucepan.

Then I painted on the butter and sprinkle/dumped the cinnamon/sugar/nutmeg.

I had a lot of butter left over... and when I make it again I'm going to try to use more of it.

I cut it

and again...

and put it in the pan and left it to rise.

Then I put it in the oven.

I think it came out pretty well. Maybe I left it in the oven too long... it seemed a little dry, but still delicious. Joy the baker's seemed a little more moist. I'm going to try it again, maybe this weekend. It was really fun. Of course, we didn't really have time to review notes and lazily munch it... it was more of "I MADE YOU THIS BREAD YOU EAT IT NOW, I'M GOING TO BE LATE FOR WORK!" Sorry Joe Joe.

Nonetheless, I know you're going to do great. If the bread didn't say it well enough, I love you, you're going to do awesome.