No snow here in the lowlands but lots in the mountains. I wonder if we will get any at all down here this year. Even a small dusting would be nice, but no ice. Ice is not allowed. So very glad the new stove is working out so well. Our lake cabin had a wood burner stove. As a child it scared the wits out of me with the fear of accidentally touching something that was read hot, or forgetting to use the mitt to lift the round opening where I think the wood went in?
Just a small note for you- if I am not mistaken it is still Saturday here in the USA. Have you still got your clocks and your brain trained to Melbourne time ;) No complaints though. I am all for the walk about a day early!
I was reading and actually had to stop and check my own Google calendar thinking that perhaps I had totally lost a day! Did I sleep through it? I have those moments sometimes when the days all run together and I’m not even traveling :)
I love making bread this way. Although I can't often eat it and we don't have a wood oven (yet!)
Have you tried using one of the great big Tupperware containers for your overnight rise? I don't have plastic wrap on hand and so far my breads haven't escaped from my big Tupperware. Except when their sleep is in the oven (turned off) overnight but then I preheat without checking...
Generally I just cover it with a wet towel but some fridges are dry and kind of set the top of the dough which is why I lay oiled plastic wrap directly on top. But a good sealed plastic container would be an excellent idea. Though I have none in this kitchen.
I used to sit the dough in the oven to rise(though my oven is broken now) but one day I did turn it on to preheat without checking!! You can imagine the mess!
Sadly, I don't need to imagine! I did this just the other week. I hadn't planned a deep clean of my oven that day but that's what I ended up doing.
I now have one of those bookmark-post-its, the little flag kind, and when I put dough in the oven to rise I put the flag over the On button. So far so good.
Everyone looks happy and healthy, Cecilia! Very cute little farm you've got over there! Thanks for the tour and I hope your hands have since warmed up!
I am amazed by the shiny black beauty of the stove and had no idea they were available. Happy to see Ton resting by the stove and hopefully enjoying its warmth.I hate to hear he's old now, though I know it. He's a black shiny beauty himself. I'm grateful to see the animals all. And dear Boo too.
Hi, thanks for all you do! My boyfriend makes bread and experiments sometimes with different bread recipes. Thanks for the wonderfully written newsletter and the photos of animals, including the cat and dog sleeping together. It’s all very positive, uplifting and proactive, which I appreciate.
Thank you Lois! Speaking of animals it is time for me to rug up and get out there. I am going try and chip out and close the doors that have been frozen open - even worse cold is on its way by the look of it.
TonTon and LuLu are darling together - every now and then Ton will growl at her just so she remembers she is NOT a dog! LuLu takes not one jot of notice.
I rest my mind by working at my piano skills. I am not a performer. If I have to play ‘for’ someone my left hand becomes my right hand and I swear my right hand becomes a boot. But I LOVE love LOVE pushing myself along - learning new skills and songs. I have found an online course that connects to my keyboard. It can give me feedback on how I am doing. Their site includes all kinds of lessons. And workouts. By the time I am finished an hour of brainiac drills my head is good and empty. Step two involves finding where some sunshine comes in the window and plonking myself into a chair to soak it up. 😄
No snow here in the lowlands but lots in the mountains. I wonder if we will get any at all down here this year. Even a small dusting would be nice, but no ice. Ice is not allowed. So very glad the new stove is working out so well. Our lake cabin had a wood burner stove. As a child it scared the wits out of me with the fear of accidentally touching something that was read hot, or forgetting to use the mitt to lift the round opening where I think the wood went in?
Just a small note for you- if I am not mistaken it is still Saturday here in the USA. Have you still got your clocks and your brain trained to Melbourne time ;) No complaints though. I am all for the walk about a day early!
Yes!!! Ha ha ha!! I am indeed still in Aussie time!’ That is hilarious!! Thank you Deb! Too funny! 😂
I was reading and actually had to stop and check my own Google calendar thinking that perhaps I had totally lost a day! Did I sleep through it? I have those moments sometimes when the days all run together and I’m not even traveling :)
I love making bread this way. Although I can't often eat it and we don't have a wood oven (yet!)
Have you tried using one of the great big Tupperware containers for your overnight rise? I don't have plastic wrap on hand and so far my breads haven't escaped from my big Tupperware. Except when their sleep is in the oven (turned off) overnight but then I preheat without checking...
Generally I just cover it with a wet towel but some fridges are dry and kind of set the top of the dough which is why I lay oiled plastic wrap directly on top. But a good sealed plastic container would be an excellent idea. Though I have none in this kitchen.
I used to sit the dough in the oven to rise(though my oven is broken now) but one day I did turn it on to preheat without checking!! You can imagine the mess!
Sadly, I don't need to imagine! I did this just the other week. I hadn't planned a deep clean of my oven that day but that's what I ended up doing.
I now have one of those bookmark-post-its, the little flag kind, and when I put dough in the oven to rise I put the flag over the On button. So far so good.
What an excellent idea Alli! I will use that one in the future.
I use a reusable shower cap -it's years and years old- over the dough rising in the bowl, and yes! a post-it note on when oven proofing.
Very wise!
Everyone looks happy and healthy, Cecilia! Very cute little farm you've got over there! Thanks for the tour and I hope your hands have since warmed up!
Agree
Thank you and Yes / all warmed up and back out again with buckets of fruit and veg for the pigs in a minute!
Cool look into your farm Cecilia. Thanks for sharing.
You are very welcome and thank you for the comment!
Happy New Week Cecilia
Your animal updates always make me smile (and wince a bit imagining frozen cow pats). I love the thoughtfulness you bring to their care.
And as someone who loves bread, I’m already curious about the recipe you’ve included this week! I hope you have a good week ahead.
So far it is even colder. The Aussie warmth has left my bones.
I am amazed by the shiny black beauty of the stove and had no idea they were available. Happy to see Ton resting by the stove and hopefully enjoying its warmth.I hate to hear he's old now, though I know it. He's a black shiny beauty himself. I'm grateful to see the animals all. And dear Boo too.
Your Armchair Farmer
And happy u am to see you here. It’s nice to catch up with them all - even I enjoy seeing them all on one page!
Hi, thanks for all you do! My boyfriend makes bread and experiments sometimes with different bread recipes. Thanks for the wonderfully written newsletter and the photos of animals, including the cat and dog sleeping together. It’s all very positive, uplifting and proactive, which I appreciate.
Thank you Lois! Speaking of animals it is time for me to rug up and get out there. I am going try and chip out and close the doors that have been frozen open - even worse cold is on its way by the look of it.
Good luck, and wishing you and the animals a great, safe and healthy day, if not a warm one!
love the bread recipe, nice and relaxed and good to see how they're all doing -
Good morning - yes! It was great to finally get a walk about on the farm. Too many clothes for the mix though!
Such pretty glimpses of winter! And TonTon and LuLu are adorable especially <3
TonTon and LuLu are darling together - every now and then Ton will growl at her just so she remembers she is NOT a dog! LuLu takes not one jot of notice.
Lulu is comforted that's she's not an "inferior species" I'm sure 😆 😺
Keep on tending the animals. Thank you for doing what you do. Let’s walk https://open.spotify.com/episode/3XhIC1SKQrogPDjZRcfyl3?si=uQgcJWUnRiGXU-fipYcrzQ
Thank you, Paolo I will pop over to this link shortly.
I rest my mind by working at my piano skills. I am not a performer. If I have to play ‘for’ someone my left hand becomes my right hand and I swear my right hand becomes a boot. But I LOVE love LOVE pushing myself along - learning new skills and songs. I have found an online course that connects to my keyboard. It can give me feedback on how I am doing. Their site includes all kinds of lessons. And workouts. By the time I am finished an hour of brainiac drills my head is good and empty. Step two involves finding where some sunshine comes in the window and plonking myself into a chair to soak it up. 😄