Waiting for Spring

Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.  — Ecclesiastes 5:18

Winter Reading

“The Joy of Housekeeping” is a sweet little book. The first few chapters she emphasizes ways to find joy in keeping house. She says a homemaker must: 1- accept her role 2-do a job analysis ( list everything to be done to keep house ) 3-make a schedule 4- learn how to clean rooms Final section touches on the worth of homemaking and is very much worth reading.

A Reliable Sourdough Recipe:

I've been working on my sourdough loaf.  Finally I'm getting the pretty ears and I believe it's because I lowered the hydration on the recipe a bit.  Here is my sourdough recipe: 

Sourdough Bread

A digital scale and a kitchen aid mixer makes this process much easier.

7 AM mix the levain: 

15 g starter 

30 g water

30 g bread flour

8 AM Autolyze (let water and flour soak together) for three hours :  

70 g whole wheat flour 

255 g of bread flour and 

255 g of water.

At noon, mix together for about four minutes: The 65 grams levain and the autolyzed mixture. 

• Allow to stand for 30 minutes, then add a little bit of water and the sea salt. 

• Let stand for 30 minutes, then do a stretch and fold.

• Let stand for 30 minutes and do a lamination.

• Let stand for 45 minutes, then do three stretches and folds at 45 minute intervals. 

• Let it bulk for 90 minutes and then preshape.

During this process, keep the dough covered and in a warm place.

Around 5 p.m.:

• Let the pre-shaped loaf sit for 15 minutes, then do the final shape of your loaf and place seam down in a banneton shaping basket. Proof (let rise)  in the refrigerator overnight

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Next morning:

Preheat the oven and a covered cast iron dutch oven to 450 degrees F.  In the meantime, remove the loaf from the refrigerator, and then turn the loaf out upside down onto a sheet of parchment paper. Cut the top of the loaf with a razor blade or very sharp knife. Place parchment paper with loaf into the cast iron dutch oven. Cover and bake @ 450 degrees for 15 minutes.  Uncover and allow to bake another 15 minutes. Remove from the Dutch oven and cool before slicing. 

My To-Do List: A Basic Spiral Notebook

Every day I'm writing a list for myself and the day's menu. At the top I write any appointments. This is proving to be a very sustainable way of keeping up with daily tasks. I write down some of my daily tasks...like the days load of laundry....because I tend to forget it if I don't! Also any weekly tasks like cleaning the tubs and showers or monthly tasks like tidying the upstairs closets. I also keep a printed out schedule that I have saved in a clear sleeve.  I can mark off things as I do them with an erasable marker.  Truly this little system keeps me from getting sidetracked during the day. 

Blessings!

Amy Laurie