First I’m on my soapbox about glyphosate sprayed on oats and now I’m going to talk about Christmas. (You’re thinking, “Can this gal do any more to ruin my day!?” )

Well, maybe. But back to Christmas. I’ve just run on to something that would make an AWESOME Christmas present for bread bakers. If that’s you, then pass this information on to all the gift-givers in your life.

I found this on one of my favorite sites, www.kingarthurflour.com. It’s their bread braiding mat. Here’s what they say about it: “Making intricate braided breads at home is such a rewarding project for a baker, and now it's simpler than ever to do with this clever tool.

“Braided loaves may look complicated, but our new mat guides you (with easy-to-follow markings and instructions) to loaf perfection, no matter your skill level. Months of research and design went into this mat, which was created by our very own bakers. We couldn't find any useful guide to bread braiding out there, so we made our own!

“Tested by bakers of every level and expertise, we know it works. It guides you easily towards recipe success, helping you keep track of exactly where to place your strands to braid, whether you're making a simple or complex braided loaf. It's an incredibly useful helping hand towards creating show-stopping homemade breads.”

This 18" x 24½" silicone mat is $29.95 and includes a guide for both 6-strand braids and filled braids. It’s microwave-, dishwasher-, and oven-safe (up to 536°F). It does come with one warning: It’s not designed to be used with sharp cutters, pizza wheels, or knives. Plastic cutters are preferred, and you want to be sure to press GENTLY, so as not to score the surface.

Dang! I’m sold. I’ve watched the contestants on The Great British Baking Show try to braid bread (and TRY is the operative word here). I’ll bet they would’ve killed for this mat. Braided bread is so gorgeous, but so stinkin’ hard to do. This mat is heaven-sent. (It might seem a little pricey, but if we start putting the hints out now, our gift-givers could have time to save up for it.)

With my sales pitch out of the way, let’s talk about braided bread fillings. This is such a versatile bread. You can go either sweet or savory.

Some sweet fillings include:

• Blueberries and cream cheese (or strawberries)

• Any jam or preserves and cream cheese

• Lemon curd and cream cheese

• Raisins, nuts, and cream cheese

And the savory fillings include:

• Creamy chicken

• Sausage and cheese

• Cheese and pesto

• Ham and Swiss cheese filling

And of course, the lists can go on. It’s really only limited by our imagination. And my imagination is running to stuffed braided bread for a pre-Thanksgiving breakfast, Christmas morning breakfast, and even an Easter brunch.

If I can master this art (and I bet with King Arthur’s mat I can), I may even be giving a few of these stuffed braids away. (Now I gotta go find my “gift-giver;” let the hinting begin!)