Zweiback and Good Friends

So yesterday my friend Erika came to bake with me for the day - sort of a spontanious pie-making adventure that spun out into two raspberry rhubarb, two apple 4 dozen zweiback and two loaves of lemon poppy seed pound cake. :) And I just have to say that I am so beyond thankful for little gifts in my life like friends. Erika is one of the FEW people in my life that I don't feel scared talking to, who I don't have to dress up for or put makeup on before I go to mee them, and one of the few people who I am not afraid to disagree with, have spiritual conversations and laugh with. Oh, and the zweiback turned out perfectly too.

Here is the recipe

INGREDIENTS
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 cup warm water (110 degrees F to 115 degrees F)
6 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 tablespoon salt
3/4 cup shortening
2 cups scalded milk, cooked

DIRECTIONS
Scald milk, the bring to room temperature. Dissolve yeast and sugar in water; set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups flour, salt, shortening, milk and yeast mixture. Beat well. Add enough of the remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic about 6-8 minutes. Dough should be soft. Place dough in a lightly greased bowl; cover and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch dough down and divide into four pieces. Divide three of the pieces into eight pieces each; shape into smooth balls and place on greased baking sheets. Divide remaining dough into 24 balls. Press 1 small ball atop each larger ball and poke through with your finger to make a little dimple. Buttered hands helps with this.

Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.

Bake at 375 degrees F for 30 minutes or until golden.

And I just want to finish out with something that I found on Erika's blog that struck me as a perfect expression of what is in my heart, and a reason why I am grateful to walk with godly friends who spur me to this hunger for TRUE bread even more :

O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need for further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire, O God, the Triune God. I want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me Thy Glory, I pray Thee indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long.

-A.W. Tozer