This week’s giveaway was done at a birthday party, but to be a bit silly, I didn’t actually gift it to the birthday girl. I mean, she is absolutely an amazing young woman. She just turned 14, and it is impossible for you to have met a more grounded, fun, adventurous or talented girl. Given all of the above, you would think the bread was for her, but instead I gifted it to her grandmother, or her Nonna as she calls her.

I have known Nonna since I was perhaps three years old, and long before she was a grandmother. Back when I was much younger than the birthday girl, her Nonna was the mother of my sister’s best friend. More importantly, Nonna’s house was the site of many adventures that I inevitably crashed. Whenever my sister went to play with her daughter, and I cried and cried at being left behind, she always let me come too. I also vividly remember a time she completely covered her kitchen table with cans and cans of shaving cream so we could all play in it, all the way up to our elbows. It was the most extravagant entertainment to my young brain–thirty odd years later it is still a distinct memory. As did the fact that she talked to kids, not at them, asking them questions and engaging them directly. I am guessing that was her teacher training, or just her heart, but it still stands out today. Finally, she also embodied an international flair and cosmopolitan aura that made a distinct impression on my young mind. In short, she was a hero of my childhood.

For the bread giveaway, I had to find a way to honor the delightful inventor of shaving cream play and yet make sure it had a sophisticated flair. Apparently, that mix was a tall order, as I spent most of the morning researching recipes, poring over options, and deciding then discarding a planned bread. Actually, I attempted two different recipes–the first was a ciabatta. However, after wasting several hours on indecision, my timing was off and around the first bulk rise, I knew I wouldn’t have enough time to bake the bread before we needed to leave for the birthday party. So I turned to a favorite with a definite European bent, Cake Salé. I decided to pull back the herbs a bit and stick with just chives and parsley, but did add in some small diced prosciutto to really solidify the Italian theme, and voila! Pane per la Nonna. A lovely unique bread with a moist custard-like interior and a robust savory flavor.

I can’t tell you the delight I had when I handed over my loaf. As much as I love the planning and baking, the wrapping and the thinking about the gift and recipient before, this little project has always, always been about connecting and loving people. So getting to deliver my bread was definitely the best part. My giveaways tend to follow a little pattern of emotions. When I get it right, it is the moment of surprise and maybe a tad bit of confusion as I hand it over. This generally gives way to a little bemused delight, and then to what I can only describe as warmth and love. I love watching this unfold! As this handoff was made, I was reminded yet again what a privilege it is to get to provide a small unexpected joy to someone and to say you are seen and loved. I have been working on praying bolder prayers this last couple of weeks, so I think I will add this to the list–Lord, please let me never take for granted the joy I feel when loving and serving others in these small moments. I can’t help but think that is how you formed me to be. Please grant me your eyes to see these opportunities all around me, and lend me your boldness to seize these moments whenever they arise.