The Saga of Valfreyja: Champion & Mother of Slain Bread

A Journey Beyond Dough Village

This is the saga of Valfreyja, an unassuming sourdough starter and her kin. After her swift rise from the trenches of Dough Village, she became known for so much more than just a basic boule.

Nei.

She could not be confined to just a common boule.

The birth of Valfreyja: Champion & Mother of Slain Bread

Mastering the basics was necessary. However, an entire world lay out there beyond Dough Village. As the Warrior Mother, the Great Creator of All Bread, Valfreyja’s bold and adventurous spirit took her beyond its limits to explore, just as her bloodline demanded.

The Bread Revolution

There came sandwich bread, breads with a plethora of flours such as spelt, wheat, rye, and oat. Recipes for waffles, pancakes, and even cookies found glory with the life-giving force she would discard. Such was the power of Valfreyja, Warrior Mother, Great Creator of All Bread.

She could sit quietly in the ice-cold still of winter in the refrigerator for much more than a week. Her apprentice servant, a human woman, would travel far to the West. Valfreyja endured, perfectly at home in the chilly, large box. Still alive. Invigorated and thriving in the cold, just as she could in the heat.

No exact or extraordinary measurements were needed for her to continue a vibrant life. Valfreyja could make any amount of flour, water, and starter work. The grams did not need to be a precise match on any kitchen scale for her to thrive and continue to give life to all of the bread in all of the land of Rustic Vista and beyond.

The Trials of Valfreyja

Valfreyja had survived mix-ups before. The human accidentally mixed together discard starter from several weeks prior with her current life-giving power. The woman scooped some out and used it as the primary starter, carrying on, making the bread of life, as was her wont.

Endured this, did Valfreyja, and still continued to create beautiful, tasty bread.

Until one fateful day.

The human did this once again. Distracted and pulled away for nearly the entire day, she realized what had transpired too late. So sat Valfreyja on the kitchen countertop, infusing her old, discarded self with the new and powerful rebirth. They melded together until all seemed lost, her human leaving her on the counter for the entire day.

In the high summer, sweltering with humidity and heat, the human should have had faith in Valfreyja. Faith enough to take a chance with nothing to lose. Alas.

She did not.

Her sword laid down. Her battle-axe and knives were no more to forge the fierce battles of molding bread. She inspired the rise of dough, going from the ice of the refrigerated box to the mighty fires of the oven. With only a black cast iron Dutch oven to gird her against assault, she aimed to become a beautiful brown instead of burnt to a crisp. A crumbly crust protecting a luscious and airy middle. Thus was the magic of Valfreyja, Warrior Mother, Great Creator of All Bread.

The Resilience of a Legacy

Nie.

Not all was lost.

Still, there survived Valfreyja’s kin, birthed from her flour and water, far to the West over many big rivers: The Mississippi, the Missouri, and the Yellowstone. Her legacy continues to live on. In the meantime, the human has returned to Dough Village, mixing flour and water, heat and kitchen scale to birth a new generation. A new Mother: Valfreyja, Champion and Mother of Slain Bread.

Embracing the Journey

In this journey of bread-making, I often reflect on the lessons Valfreyja teaches us. Life, much like sourdough, requires patience and a willingness to embrace the unexpected. Each rise and fall of the dough mirrors our own experiences. We mix, we knead, and sometimes we get distracted, but we always have the chance to start anew.

So, as I stand in my kitchen, surrounded by the warmth of the oven and the scent of freshly baked bread, I feel a connection to Valfreyja. She is not just a starter; she is a symbol of resilience and creativity.

In a world that often feels chaotic, the simple act of baking can be a form of meditation. It allows us to slow down and appreciate the beauty of the process. Just as Valfreyja thrives in both cold and heat, we too can find strength in our adaptability.

The Community of Bread Makers

As I share my stories and experiences, I hope to build a community around the shared love of bread-making. Each loaf tells a story, and every crumb carries a memory. Through our collective experiences, we can find simplicity and meaning in a busy world.

Whether you are a seasoned baker or just starting, remember that every loaf is a journey. Embrace the imperfections and celebrate the successes. After all, it is in the journey that we discover our true selves.

So, let us raise our loaves high and toast to Valfreyja, the Warrior Mother, the Great Creator of All Bread. May her spirit inspire us to create, connect, and savor the moments that matter most.