Rustic Brioche Rolls

Waiting.  Winter waiting.  It is a lovely tranquil time of year.  The holiday hustle and bustle has slipped away in a mist of merry memories.   Time hovers and shimmers over us...lulls us into a peaceful state...whispers enchantments of rest and recuperation.


Soups are the main stars at the table at present ...accompanied  by a variety of rustic breads, cheeses, and olives.

As a homeschool family, we have our share of packed activities, over wrought schedules, and frenetic pacing of school work.


This year, however, is different from those past harried school years.  My children, now teens, with solid opinions and observations of their own,  have asked for a retooling of our charged lifestyle.  

"Mom, we are homeschooling.  So why are you trying to have us join every club, hobby, sport, and organization out there?" they query.


"We're happy" they counter.  "We don't need to be so socialized because of what others fear."

On many occasions, the questioning  of the ever present issue of "socialization", or the fearful lack thereof,  echo vociferously by the most well intentioned of people.


As parents, we often find ourselves full of anxious trepidation one day and determined conviction the next with the lifestyle approach we have taken.  


But, ironically, we have, in past years,  fallen into the much discussed trap of many fellow homeschool families...


 - over-socialization.  

Wintery January Night with full Moon

 Our children, like many children today, plead for a respite from the chaos of an over-scheduled regime.  A breathing space, a recharge... an interlude from our need to always exert ourselves to the fullest, to offer our children all that we possibly can...and then more.


Our year has been a very tranquil and peaceful one.  In this past year, our days have been filled with many hours of schoolwork, purging of mainstream television, devouring engaging novels, and watching thought provoking documentaries that are often followed by amusing discussions.   

I am continually checking in with them for  any apprehension about our  hushed and quiet existence.


Will they be ready for the tumultuous world and everything it  will sling at them?


At younger ages, we've pushed them into every imaginable hobby, sport, instrument, and activity.


At the teenage stage, they have said "no" to most of it.  How interesting and insightful this path has been.  


My mind is often burgeoning with thoughts about how we educate our children.   But, when it comes down to it, we are all trying to make good decisions, one day at a time, one child at a time on what is right for that particular little soul making his or her way through this world.


There is undoubtedly no one correct path.  Mistakes will abound.  What is certain, is at the end of the day, we all hope for the quiet of an evening, a warming bowl of soup and perhaps some rustic bread to finish off the day.  


Until another one begins.




Rustic Brioche Rolls


(follow this link to recipe from a previous brioche post)


Once the dough has risen for the final time, butter and flour muffin tins.  Roll dough into ping pong size balls.  Put three balls in one slot of each muffin tin.  Brush with egg mixture and proceed with directions for loaf baking.