Day 5 of our Bake!-Cation

Good morning from Dexter! I'm soaking up the sunrise from my cozy room.

Another leisurely morning meant we waited for rush hour traffic to ease up before hitting the road to Ann Arbor. 

Our adventure kicks off at Michigan Stadium, where Jo Anne donned her Texas Tech sweatshirt—her cheeky way of sending a shoutout to her grandson Tripp, the die-hard Michigan fan. Apparently, he’s been giving Kevin a hard time about Texas Tech, and he couldn't fathom why we skipped the UofM game last Saturday while we were right here in town!

After snapping some pics, we meandered through the delightful shops of Kerrytown before making a beeline to Zimmerman Deli for lunch. With roots tracing back to the mid-1800s, Kerrytown in Ann Arbor is a treasure trove waiting to be explored. Nestled on the north side of downtown, this charming neighborhood takes its name from County Kerry in Ireland and features an eclectic mix of dining options, quirky shops, and picturesque, tree-lined streets perfect for a leisurely stroll.

For food enthusiasts, Kerrytown is a culinary wonderland. At the heart of it all is Zingerman's Deli—a titan in the local dining scene that has redefined the taste of Ann Arbor. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, "the Deli" is a delightful trifecta of restaurant, grocery store, and foodie paradise—and we were told, truly a must-visit when you find yourself in Ann Arbor!

Jo Anne went with the house-made tuna salad

I decided to indulge in the legendary Reuben.

You know, all that buzz about a trendy spot can sometimes leave you feeling a bit let down. We both decided those unassuming sandwiches at Raterman’s in Dexter were way tastier and way easier on the wallet!

We loved the thistle design on this shop. It brought back memories of Scotland, Kody, with thistle being the national flower. 

After a couple of days of sight-seeing, we are back in the kitchen this evening for:

Crullers and Churros: A Sweet Adventure Awaits!

Get ready to dive into the magical world of Pâte à Choux (that’s “pot-a-shoo” for those of us who don’t speak French fluently)! We’re about to whip up a dough so versatile it could be a number different treats. And guess what? We’ll turn this dough into the delightful duo of crullers and churros. Buckle up; this is going to be a delicious ride! 🍩✨

But first, a quick stop in the Bakehouse to pick up their special of the month: the blondie doodle, a combination snickerdoodle blondie. They actually don’t go on sale until tomorrow (October)  but when we asked about them she went back and got one for us. 

Notice the whisk bicycle rack in the background. 

Mixing up the Pâte à Choux batter

Getting ready to pipe them out 

Our instructor demonstrating how to pipe

My crullers are piped

First one fried and waiting on the glaze 

Frying mine up

Fried and glazed

Jo Anne frying up her churros

My treasure trove of treats! We've been showering our lovely BnB hostess with treats every day, and she’s been over the moon about it. But she keeps bringing us goodies in return. Today, she graced us with some local cheeses, and when I ventured upstairs with a batch of crullers and churros, she had gone to buy us a $40 gift card to a Mediterranean restaurant. Isn’t that just the sweetest thing? But honestly the last thing we need is more food. 

Food for Thought

Isn’t it incredible how the most intimate name, "Abba," was first spoken during Jesus' darkest hour? Romans 8:15 reminds us, "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.'"

I had to let that sink in for a few minutes. I’ve received the spirit of adoption, not a spirit of fear. Just thinking about that one word that flows from the hearts of the adopted—Abba.

Before diving into Paul’s perspective on this name, let’s look at when it was first uttered. It’s the night in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus had just shared his last supper with his disciples, fully aware of the trials that awaited him—arrest, trial, the cross. He steps deeper into the garden, alone, and falls to the ground, overwhelmed with sorrow. In that gut-wrenching moment, the Son of God calls out one word: Abba.

This Aramaic term, a warm and familial expression for father—similar to “papa” or “dear father”—appears just three times in the New Testament: Mark 14:36 in Gethsemane, Romans 8:15 about our adoption, and Galatians 4:6 where the Spirit cries out within us. It’s spoken twice by two remarkable figures: Jesus and Paul.

What does Paul have to say about it in Romans 8. The same word Jesus cried out in his most desperate moment is the word the Holy Spirit places on our lips as adopted children of the same loving Father.

The term “father” can evoke a range of feelings. For me, it brings warmth, safety, and memories of someone who was always there, making me feel truly known. For others, it may stir up pain—a father who was absent, cold, or impossible to please. That absence can shape our understanding of God in profound ways.

If your experience with your earthly father was one of absence or disappointment, the word "Abba" might feel like a challenge to embrace. After all, how we view our earthly fathers can influence our perception of our Heavenly Father. If "father" means someone who walks away, we might expect God to do the same. If it’s tied to disappointment, we may approach God braced for letdowns.

But remember, Jesus chose to use this intimate name not in a moment of comfort or answered prayers, but in the heart of despair, on the ground in a garden, just before everything changed. He didn’t call upon El Elyon, the Most High, or El Shaddai, the Almighty. He reached for the most personal name he knew—Abba. This is a reminder that regardless of our earthly experiences, our Heavenly Father is different. He doesn’t abandon us in tough times. He doesn’t pull away when we stumble. He doesn’t keep score of our struggles. He is the Father you’ve always longed for, waiting for you to call Him that.

God didn’t give us a name to refer to Him because He needed it; He gave us a name because we needed it. No matter what your history with the word "father" looks like, "Abba" is the name of the One who chose you, who calls you His own, who treats you like family. He placed this beautiful word on your lips, the same one Jesus used in His darkest hour, reminding you that you are never without a father.

You are never alone, and your life is cradled in the hands of the One who knows you inside out, protects you fiercely, and loves you fiercely. You are precious as His beloved child.