Daring Bakers: I'm crying inside, and out!

After 12 months and a huge variety of recipes, it finally happened. I am missing a challenge. Not just "a" challenge, but Mary and Sara's Ultimate Challenge, Julia Child's French Bread!

And am I happy about it?

NO I AM NOT!!!

You see, when the ladies announced this challenge, I was a bit intimidated but excited. Who wouldn't be intimidated by 18 pages for a recipe? The first recipe since I started not to make it on to my cupboards. Not because I didn't want to make it, but because I don't have enough cupboard space to hold 18 pages! Instead I carried the recipe back and forth to work with me, reading and rereading it, until I felt comfortable enough to dive in. I even held off on the one day I had free to make the recipe so I could join in with Mary and the other Daring Baker's to make this on line together!

Which was one of my mistakes.

My other mistake was getting out of bed one Friday morning, and walking, in a snow storm, through the park on my way to work. Then I bent over at some point in the morning to pick up a small toy car.

Did you hear the whimper from me as I pulled that muscle? Did you hear me wincing as I spent the next week on prescription muscle relaxants and was under doctor's orders not to do anything to aggravate my back? Did you hear me cry when he said kneading bread was probably not a good idea? How about when Mary confirmed this doom?

I still joined in on the IM chat this last weekend, to hear how the others were fairing with their own breads. But still no bread for me.

Fear not, however, as I will make this bread. But not just yet, and not until I can go a few consecutive days without some kind of back pain. As yesterday was my first day back at swimming since I pulled the muscle, I can tell you that I still have some "resting" to do before I can pull out the yeast and bake those loaves.

And now, I'm off to work, with plans to spend my afternoon reading about the hundreds of other Daring Baker's who were able to make their loaves. No wine for me, but I do have some cheese, and a box of kleenex, just in case. And my 18 pages of the recipe, with a red pen, in case I need to add a few more notes along the way.

31 comments:

Ilva said...

Oh poor you, you have been so unlucky this month! I'm looking forward to see the bread when you finally can make it!

Gretchen Noelle said...

So sorry about your back and that you couldn't partake in this delicious French bread, as of yet. You will love it once you do! Take care and recover quickly!

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry...I look forward to when you do post..and hope you feel better.

Veron said...

I'm so sorry about your back , Jenny. A pulle muscle is no fun. Hope you feel better!

breadchick said...

Oh Jenny :-(

Never fear. When you are ready to make this bread, let me know. We'll bake it together on a weekend day OK?

Hope your back is better soon!

Andrea said...

Bake pain is no fun, and I feel for you!! I'm glad you could join in the baking IM party last weekend, that was a lot of fun! Hopefully you'll get to try this bread sometime, it really is worth it.

Mary said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your pulled muscle! It is a fantastic recipe and I hope you are well enough to try it soon!

Meeta K. Wolff said...

I am so out of it. You poor thing I had no idea - I wish you all the best for a speedy recovery. I look forward to seeing it when you do get a chance to make. Hugs from me!

kellypea said...

Knowing you, you will make this bread at least five times! Get better!

KJ said...

I hope you get better soon. Back pain is no fun. Take care of yourself.

Karen Baking Soda said...

Jenny, I just know you will bake this bread and how! Tissues and muscle relaxers for now, victory later! Take care!

CB said...

Bummer you had to miss but I hope you feel better soon. Take care
-Clara
http://iheartfood4thought.wordpress.com

MyKitchenInHalfCups said...

Hope that heals up soon. I know you feel bad Jenny but really we'll probably all miss one in a while. Be kind to yourself and take care.

creampuff said...

Hope you're feeling better really soon! And no worries about missing the challenge. Take care of yourself!

Big Boys Oven said...

not to worry babe, you will be fine! . . .I was shocked too when I saw the 15 pages of this recipe! I was like . . .what? gosh... anyway hope you will recover soon and looking forward to see lots of your creation! take good care!

jasmine said...

Oh sweetie! Yours is the second such injury amongst the DBs I've read thus far...perhaps the recipe has a small curse on it (well, apart from those who did curse it).

j

Chris said...

Oh my....I am so sorry to hear! Feel better soon!

Helene said...

So that was you I heard all the way down here?!! Take care of yourself, your health is more important!

Sheltie Girl said...

I hope you feel better soon. I'm so sorry you pulled a muscle. I did that early in the fall and it took weeks before I was back to my old self.

Natalie @ Gluten A Go Go

Lis said...

Awww sweetie.. we know it would take an awful lot for you to miss a challenge. I really hope you back starts to feel better soon!!

You are tremendously missed, but I look so forward to seeing what you do with March's challenge! :)

Hugs!!!
xoxoxo

Annemarie said...

I am very, very sad to hear of your muscle torment, especially when you worked yourself up to take the bread on. This bread will become your nemesis, and I do believe that one day you will teach it the appropriate lesson. ;)

Gabi said...

Oh I am SO sorry to read about your back. I have been there and I hate how one minute your life is just going along and the next you're laid up for days on end.
Hope you feel better soon!
x x x
Gabi

Anonymous said...

Aw, I'm so sorry you couldn't participate this time around, but don't worry- There will always be other challenges. Besides, your wellbeing is far more important than a loaf of bread!

Elle said...

Hope you feel better, soon. Your bread, when you make it later, is bound to be wonderful. I'm a bit envious that you have time to visit DB blogs...so many to visit & so little time here.

Half Baked said...

Sorry to hear about your back! I Hope your back into baking form soon:) Take care

Aparna Balasubramanian said...

Oh, that's sad and I hope you get better soon. Don't worry. There are more challenges coming our way!

Unknown said...

Noooooo!

I hope you recover quickly. You are essential to my baker-blogger universe.

And no worries, Julia Child will be there when you are ready.

Cate said...

Oh my gosh, 18 pages?! You get an A for even thinking about making the recipe. :)

Dharm said...

sorry to hear about your back... but good luck when you DO make the challenge. It really wasnt as difficult as it sounded!

Amy said...

Oh no! Feel better soon!

Tiffany @ Lattes And Life said...

Ouch! I hope you get back to kneading shape soon!!! I also missed this month. I had a big battle in my kitchen..with the yucky pantry pests. I finally won though. But I missed out on bread :-(