Biscuits and Patience

Two weekends ago, I started a batch of biscuits. I had made biscuits before of the pop-tube, mix and from scratch variety. I however, had never made an authentic Southern recipe that called for Southern flour. The lovely Virginia Willis waxed poetic about the differences and I bought her argument, and a fourth variety of flour to clutter my pantry.

I read her gluten explanation much more thoroughly than I read the recipe. That Sunday, we were having our friends, the NewlyWeirs for Sunday Supper. Rocky was making fried chicken and corn on the cob. I was responsible for the macaroni and cheese and biscuits. Bennett sat on the floor, and played with a wooden spoon for an hour, while I measured, proofed the yeast, accidentally doubled the sugar, kneaded the dough and consulted the recipe again. “Refrigerate overnight or up to one week.” Hmm, I didn’t think our friends were eager to wait overnight, even if these were the best darned biscuits they’d ever had.

Instead, I’d make them the next day for our impromptu barbecue. I kneaded the dough five more times, then consulted the recipe again, “allow to rest for one hour or overnight.” Well, fiddle dee dee, our guests were set to arrive any minute. Back to the fridge, again.

Tuesday night, the biscuits were finally ready. I let them come to room temperature and put them in the oven. They came out looking perfect. They had risen. They were browned and soft. They tasted great too, if a little sweet.

I had made multiple attempts to finish what seemed like an easy task, sort of like our attempts to relocate to Tennessee.  But, our patience has paid off.  I accepted a public affairs position for a small association in Williamson County.  I start in July.  We never imagined it would be my career to take us back home.

It's a lot to stomach.  We are finally being given the opportunity we've been dreaming of for years, it just isn't happening quite how we envisioned it.  It has been a lot harder to say goodbye and the uncertainty of what lies ahead is daunting.  I just have to hope that the outcome is as perfect as those biscuits, maybe even a little sweet.