Random 5 Friday

1.  I know that I have been posting a lot of sunrises, but sheesh, the colors have been so awe inspiring and such a treat in contrast to all of the snow.

2.  I am really getting the hang of this bread making thing.  The batch that I made this week rose like crazy and ended up perfectly light and airy on the inside.

3.  My new lens was waiting for me when we got home from our little weekend away.  I did upgrade it to a 18-70mm to bridge the gap between my 18-55mm one and my Christmas 70-300mm telephoto.  I found it used on eBay and it is perfect!  Now I can save my pennies for a fixed focus lens.

4.  Kids say the darnedest things.  In response to our swim and ski weekend here are a couple of beauts.   Sidney:  "When I think vacation, I don't really consider it being around a bunch of other kids....it's just more for me to tolerate."   Charles:  "I am so excited to go on a ski lift!  That is on my bucket list."

5.  We are headed towards the upper 30's and low 40's going into next week.....break out the summer gear! ;-)


Please join us in Random 5 Friday

Adventures in Breadmaking

I was so excited last weekend when the River Cottage Bread book arrived.  I read it cover to cover and among other things committed myself to regular bread making, and learning metric measurements.  Good grief, all of my favorite recipes need to be converted! 

On one of the kids two cold days from school this week, I began a sourdough starter and made my first batch of the basic bread recipe.  Though I am well equipped with my beloved Kitchenaid, I felt that we should experience learning what the textures feel like when hand mixing.  I love that Charles is always all over anything new and messy in the kitchen, so while Sid was out with a friend, he pipped up to help with the bread.

Those first two loaves did not stand a chance and were gone by yesterday.  So first thing this morning, I started another batch, but this time using a generous scoop of my incredibly happy sourdough starter.  It is a couple days before I should be using it, but it already has a wonderful aroma and takes so well to its daily feedings.  The book suggested a rye starter as a favorite, so that is what I am doing.

This lovely dough rises beautifully.  I have been letting it ferment it for about an hour, tamping it down and then letting it go another hour before shaping into loaves and letting prove.

I have ventured once before into bread making, but never used a pizza peel.  I just resisted spending the money on one.  Well just to illustrate how serious I am, I did go out and buy one earlier this week.  Now after using it for two rounds of bread, I have no idea why I was so resistant before, it has already saved me from burns and frustration.  Money well spent!

Since it is Super Bowl Sunday, in honor of the day, and since not a single Monday night football went by without them in my childhood home, BLT's are what's for dinner, on homemade sourdough bread.

Random 5 Friday

It is hard to believe that it is already Friday again!  Though I started a number of drafts this week, ideas churning away in my head, I only managed to post one.  That is a bit off my blogging goal, but my full days are making fodder for posts to come.

1.  As you can see from the above picture, B has busted out the elderberries that we carefully prepared last fall.  The 2014 wine making has begun.  He began 4 gallons of  Elderberry Melomel and 3 gallons of Gooseberry/Rhubarb wine this week.

2.  I have re-committed to bread making this week thanks to this wonderful book.  There is something so calming filling the house with the smells of fresh baked bread.  Speaking of bread, I also began a new sourdough starter.  I did one a year ago, and though it turned out fine, I couldn't keep up with it. This new recipe, from the same book, is slightly different in its process and I must say, it is a very happy little starter only three days in!  Let's see if I can keep this baby around...maybe even pass it down!

3.  I am so excited to be going out with some dear friends this evening to see the Moth Story Slam, I just can't wait!

4.   B always snow blows our parking area against a big old maple tree.  Then the kids use it as a mini sledding hill all season.  This year with plenty of snow and the deep cold, the hill has turned to mostly ice.  Perfect for making an igloo!  I would say that it is more than half done.  Charles and a friend dug a tunnel through the side of it, so they will use those holes plugged by some colorful sledding disks to make skylights.  It is a work in progress, based on its sheer girth, and another couple of months of winter to come I would say, much of this igloo will grace our yard well into April, and we will see remnants into May!

5.  I had my first committee meeting for Charles fifth grade awards/graduation celebration yesterday.  This morning I am sifting through the last six years of photos.  Wow, they grow fast!

linking up with Nancy, won't you join in?