This is challah-henge: 

I love how the early morning sun cast long shadows from such short pieces of dough.

During my free time, I bake often for my family and friends. I made this dough the night before and rested it overnight in the fridge. Now, after dividing it into three sections, the challah is resting again before the shaping step. 

Learning any skill involves cycles of work and rest, just like the challah loaf.

My students and I work hard during the school year. To develop musicianship skills, personal skills such as perseverance or collaboration, and technical skills on the flute and piano, I see my students attending lessons and classes consistently, practicing at home, preparing for recitals and community concerts, completing practice challenges, and creating their own music. I am also developing my skills: my teaching skills and intuition, musicianship skills to keep growing musically, flute and improvisation skills for upcoming concerts. Just like all the ingredients in a loaf of challah work together to create something beautiful, all the different elements of our studies and activities come together to help us grow in multi-faceted ways during the periods of work. 

This month, I am in a time of rest and so are my students! It’s been a busy summer for me, filled with interesting work opportunities at summer camps and festivals, an international conference, and visits with friends in 3 different countries. In this last month before the school year begins again, I am enjoying days which feel full but not busy, and a schedule which I am free to improvise each day. It is like a sigh of relief to gather in my energy and spend time recharging. I am truly looking forward to seeing my students again in September. This to me is the sign of good rest – that we feel renewed and eager to continue our work. 

This challah has rested and baked, and is ready to be enjoyed:

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