The Simple Woman's Daybook

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FOR TODAY October 5, 2009

Outside my window... I see a BEAUTIFUL, crisp Fall day dawning

I am thinking... About my Dad who would have been 86 today if he was still alive. Love You Dad!

I am thankful for... Seasons, cycles, the circular rhythms in a year

From the kitchen... I smell the homey aroma of homemade vegetable soup

I am wearing... My favorite "uniform"... jeans and a t-shirt

I am creating... A bracelet to give as a gift called "Te Amo" and a Fall Pumpkin Stitchery

I am going... To meet my friend for laughs and "therapy" over a cup of coffee and tea

I am reading... Voyager by Diana Gabaldon and wishing I could do a time travel of my own

I am hoping... To plant some Fall bulbs....iris', daffodils, and tulips

I am hearing... The playful chirping of birds at my feeder, a snoring dog and small solar powered chimes ringing gently

Around the house... It has been so chilly the furnace is getting turned on, fireplaces cleaned out and the flannel sheets have been put on

One of my favorite things... Walking along the beach bluffs, photographing long shadows, skittering snowy plovers and if I'm lucky, whales feeding just off the shore

A few plans for the rest of the week: Making jars of Christmas Cowboy Cookies, finishing and framing my "Merry Pumpkin" stitchery, Djembe class, Going to see The Time Travelers Wife, seeing my endocrinologist on Friday, taking pictures.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

This picture reminds me of circular cycles. The seasons passing from one into another. The wheel is a rusty Fall color and the irregularly shaped edges around the wheel remind me of a sun, dwindling at this time of year, creating shorter days.

Comments

Sourdough Bread

A few of you have been asking about the recipe for Sourdough Bread that I use and I figured this would be the easiest way to give it out. This recipe makes 2 loaves.

MIX TOGETHER:
260 g. of actively fed sourdough starter (about 1 cup)
460 g. water (about 2 cups)
90 g. Canned milk or milk that has been scalded and cooled. Can use water or plant milk instead (About 6 Tbsp)

20 g. Kosher Salt (1/8 cup)
900 g. flour (all purpose or white bread flour, don't use whole grain, to heavy to rise well) 7 1/2 Cups

Mix the starter, water, milk (or the substitute) together thoroughly. Then add in the salt and flour.
Put the dough in a covered container and let it ferment at room temperature.
After 2 hours fold the dough. How To Fold The Dough
After an additional 2 hours, fold the dough again.
When the dough is is finished fermenting (after a total of 5-6 hours - when dough is bubbly, soft and will pull a windowpane) divide dough into two pieces around 855 g. each.
Do a first shaping of the dough and let r…

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I think I've always had a weight problem. I was active enough as a teen and young adult to keep the pounds in range. But when I started having kids, I put on weight with each one. In 2001, and 230 lbs., I'd finally had enough and opted for Gastric Bypass Surgery so I would never have to think about being fat ever again and yes, I'm using the word FAT. I like to eat though, and only ended up losing a total of 35 lbs. with gastric bypass. Don't get me wrong, if you do it right, you MIGHT not have the same results I had, but a little dixie cup size meal was just not enough food for me. I would cry and be angry at every gathering of people and food. Let's just say eating was a big part of my life, so much so that it had int…

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