31-03-25 and remembering Mum.

Good morning, everyone.  Today starts off very like yesterday with sunshine and a chilly temperature/touch of frost.  Yesterday morphed into wall to wall sunshine and today is supposed to be similar - I do hope so!

For Marjorie and anyone else interested, yes, I have a sourdough crumpet recipe.

You use 230g sourdough starter discard and mix it with one tsp granulated sugar, quarter to half tsp salt and, after mixing that, add three eighths tsp bicarb.  It will all froth up and bubble - that's the bicarb.

Heat a griddle or other pan over a cool to medium heat, grease it and your crumpet rings, warm the rings on the griddle and then pour in the mix - it should make four crumpets.

Cook for five minutes until there are bubbles in the top and it is starting to set.  Then carefully flip them over, rings and all.  The rings should drop down the turned crumpets and can be lifted off (they will be hot!).  Don't try and take them off too soon - they will just stick.

Continue to cook for a few minutes until they top (now the bottom) is golden brown.

The temperature is the important thing, I have found.  Too hot and the bottom cooks before the bubbles set on top.  I now know what ring setting works best.

Yesterday's pizza dough worked much better and is now in two sort of circular bases (they have curved edges, that's all I am saying!!) in the freezer.  I have high hopes.

The 100% wholemeal was a puzzle.  It didn't rise overly in the second ferment and I am glad I did it in a loaf tin.  It rose a bit while cooking.  However, it came out OK and with a pronounced sourdough flavour which I think I like - it's a bit of an acquired taste, isn't it?

The crumb looks OK, doesn't it?

I'll try it again but add less water, I think.  Not for a few weeks though - I have so much bread in the freezer now and I don't eat all that much myself.  I didn't make the crumpets yesterday so will do them but nothing else now for a while.

Today, being Monday, starts with circuits and then it is downstairs housework.  It's also the last day of March so I must remember to read the gas meter at some point.  That, plus any washing and the crumpets, should take up a good part of the day and then I can sit and chill with my knitting.  Maybe even outside, if the weather permits - that would be nice.  I bet Lindsey has Circuits outside today too.

Today (as well as yesterday), I am also taking some time to think about my lovely Mum who passed away early in the morning of March 31st, 2019 which just happened to be Mothering Sunday that year.  I still have the card I got from me, John and Dave which I never gave her.
I was so lucky to have her for so long, wasn't I?

Myrle Daphne Cannell, nee Jarvis

19-10-27 - 31-03-19

RIP best of Mums and all-round fantastic lady.

30-03-25

Morning, all.  BST has landed and I have a few clocks to adjust today.  It will be so very pleasant to have the longer evenings again and I really won't notice the later dawns.  Good old summer time!

I'm sat here by the French windows watching a pair of magpies cavorting in the garden.  What dramatic birds they are, to be sure, all black and white as if they were going to some posh do at the Palace.  I gather they are very sociable birds too.   I know they scare away the little birds which is a shame.

They are seen as good omens.   Google tells me:

This belief stems from the fact that the magpie has been associated with prosperity, transformation, and wisdom. They are believed to bring their signatures to acknowledge that a person is on the right track, especially when starting a new endeavour or making crucial life decisions.

(photo borrowed from Google Images)
As the old rhyme goes:

One for sorrow, 

Two for joy,

Three for a girl, 

Four for a boy,

Five for silver, 

Six for gold, 

Seven for a story yet to be told. 

The full version of the Magpie Rhyme has a few extra verses added:

Eight for a wish, 

Nine for a kiss,

Ten for a bird you must not miss. 

There are different versions, of course, as with any old rhyme.  I saw two so that's nice!

On to more mundane things.

I had a go at the 100% wholemeal sourdough loaf yesterday.  Things seemed to be going OK but it remained very sticky and soft and wasn't rising all that well so I gave it one more pulls and folds before bedtime and left it overnight.  This morning, it had risen very nicely but was still soft and a bit sticky so it is now in a loaf tin rather than in a banneton as it would never hold its shape.

I think it will be OK as a loaf but it needs something to give it shape.

As for the pizza dough, I am sorry to say that Squeak didn't behave well yesterday and failed to double in size so I fed her again before bedtime and left her overnight and, again, this morning, she's much better.  The dough is now in a covered bowl and rising very nicely, much softer and nicer than the first go.  I think this one will work.

And I have a lot of discard since feeding both starters yesterday so I need to find something to make with it.  :-)

I tried to catch the partial eclipse, but it really wasn't much of a sight.  I got some photos but they only showed the slightest little dent in the sun, so small that it could just be imagination.  Did any of you do any better?

Apart from the bread, I have two things I must do today.  One is getting the finances sorted as I didn't do that yesterday and the other is to sort out a talk I am giving in the Slim Win live chat tomorrow.  And if the weather is anything like, I will go out for a walk too.

What are you doing today?  xx

29-03-25

Morning, everyone; welcome to a cold and frosty Saturday morning.  To be fair, it WAS cold and frosty earlier but by the time I had fed Bubbles and Squeak and cleared the mess, the frost was melting rapidly and it's all gone now, the sun is shining brightly and I'm looking forward to a very pleasant day with not an awful lot I HAVE to do.

SW was OK yesterday.  I gained a pound but I wasn't surprised as I've been a bit off track a few times last weekend and it didn't help that I dived face first into some cashews on Thursday evening.  Very healthy, yes, but not necessarily diet friendly, not the amount I managed to polish off.

Anyway, we move on, and I moved on to Morrisons for what I hopefully thought of as a 'small shop'.  Small it was, cheap it wasn't.  It never is nowadays!

I used the first of the sourdough bases to make this dinner with coleslaw on the side.

The pizza was, taken as a whole, really tasty but the base wasn't a 1--% success - the bits that weren't covered by topping were OK - quite solid and hard but OK - but the middle was really heavy and stodgy.  Edible, good flavour, just too heavy and, as I found out overnight, indigestible too.
Oh, well, you have to try!

I have another base in the freezer and I think I am going to try it as a calzone and see if baking it that way with a filling rather than a topping makes a difference.  Worth a go anyway.

(And while I am thinking pizza, I wholeheartedly recommend Mutti classico pizza sauce.  It's in a can, isn't cheap, is absolutely delicious and I have eight small pots of single portions for future pizzas, whether they be proper ones, or using a wrap or some pitta as a base - which make it much more economical than you would think at first).

I'm not giving in, mind you.  I think I will do what I should have done first time and follow the original recipe instead of trying to change anything.  And if that doesn't make any difference, I was write off that recipe and look for another one.  After all, this is a journey of discovery, isn't it?  A culinary education, part of lifelong learning.

I also found, just this morning, a recipe/detailed instructions for a 100% wholemeal sourdough loaf and I am going to follow it through, bit by bit.  

With these in mind, I have fed both Bubbles and Squeak to activate them and am trying both recipes, seeing as I have a free weekend and can be around.

The other thing I absolutely want to do today or, at the latest, tomorrow is go through March's finances.  I don't have any more expenses until April 1st so I can close that page.  There won't be anything to move into savings because of the extra expenses in April (car, hearing aids, glasses, holidays - eeeek) but I will know where I am and whether I can cover the costs without taking from short term savings.  Knowledge is power, isn't it?

Time to go so I will love you and leave you and wish you a very restful and/or enjoyable Saturday.  xx

Friday, 28-03-25

Morning, all.  It was a gorgeous day here yesterday, wall to wall sunshine and in that sunshine and out of the wind it felt quite warm.  Unfortunately, it does look a bit different this morning and we might get a bit of rain but it's supposed to brighten up later - so fingers crossed!

No sourdough news from yesterday apart from me finding a recipe for hot cross buns which I will try nearer to Easter, but I did have a go at a buckwheat and chia seed soda bread because buckwheat flour has minimal gluten and that's only because it's ground in a mill where flours containing gluten are also ground so Dove cannot guarantee that it is totally free.

Of course, I had to try an end crust and it is really rather nice.  Quite different but I'll make it again.  It's now safely tucked away in the freezer and I may produce some when friends, who need more or less gluten free food, come round for a meal.

I had two online classes yesterday and it was lovely - Lindsey did Groove out in her garden and I wished I could have been there but time was tight because the local Food Bank is only open on Thursdays from 1 to 2:30 so I needed to drop this month's donation off before Groove.  So that's done and dusted now too.

Today the only thing in the diary is Slimming World after which I need to pop into Morrisons to get a few things for the evening pizza.  I know I don't NEED pepperoni but I want it!  :-)  

So it should be another easy day.

Have a great day yourselves too - stay safe and be happy.  xx

Thursday 27-03-25

Thursday already and only a few more days until April lands.  Morning, everyone; how's the week going for you.
After last week's busy-ness, it's nice to have a more gentle week this week.  There's still plenty to do but nothing big or too exerting so I can potter a bit more.  Yesterday was no exception.

Usually, I would have gone to the other morning circuits class to replace what I missed on Monday but instead, I will be doing an extra Groove today.  
I did some washing - the cloths and tea towels needed a good hot wash so that's what they had before drying on the line.  They are now ironed and back in the drawer.  Yes, I know, I iron them because a) they fit in the drawer better and b) they're just nicer to use.

Waste of effort? - I don't think so!!  :-)

I picked Beth up and took her to the station and we had a nice chat about things on the way.  She is in London for a few days now while Alex holds the fort at home.

In the afternoon I went over to Lindsey's for my personal training.  We always have such a good chat, the time goes so very quickly and it is so nice to now be driving home in daylight again.

I had a go at the pizza dough.  I'm not sure - maybe it was a mistake to go for half and half straight away because it didn't seem to rise very much at the bulk ferment stage and felt very solid.  However, I may not get a super light and fluffy pizza base but it will be edible and won't be wasted.
I made quarter quantities and got two small to medium sized bases (just the size I want) which are now in the freezer.  I will take one out tomorrow and give it a whirl!!

And no more test results have landed in my NHS app so I am now starting to believe again that maybe they ARE all in and that everything is really satisfactory.  I now have to arrange the review appointment where I will find out for sure.  I might drive down today and see what the nice receptionist says.

Before then, I have an online SET class followed by Chris coming round for coffee and our usual chat.  Then, this afternoon, I'm doing my catch up class, an online Groove - I do enjoy the Groove classes!

Life isn't terribly exciting right now but very pleasant.  I'll take that with gratitude.  What does your day look like?   Have fun!  xx

26--03-25

 Morning, everyone!  The sun is shining brightly so fingers crossed it lasts longer than yesterday!.
Yesterday it started sunny, it was gorgeous walking to Groove, then the sun started fading a bit.
I got home, pegged out the washing, had breakfast and drove over to Aldi to ger this month's Food Bank donation.  When I came out - it was chucking it down.  Aaarrgghh.

Fortunately, back home, there wasn't so much rain on the ground and the washing wasn't that bad, just slightly damp.  The tumble dryer sorted that out while the second load dried on the rack - I have that to iron today!
I haven't been caught out like that for ages but it's bound to happen from time to time.

I've now sorted out both vision and hearing appointments (long overdue) so that's going to add to an already expensive April.  Has to be done and that's why I save every month.

The sourdough crumpet for breakfast was absolutely gorgeous.  I may never buy another commercial crumpet ever again.  It just needed warming up, no toasting required and under a 'fried' egg - wow!

And I've decided to have a go at focaccia next week.  This week I am making pizza dough for my Friday fake-away!  I found this recipe that I can make using Thermione and is easily reduced to a quarter amount.

https://www.pantrymama.com/sourdough-pizza-dough-thermomix/#wprm-recipe-container-4440

I've activated bubbles and, when she has risen, I'll have a go.  I'm doing it today because I want to see how the dough freezes and I will use 50-50 flour because I just like wholemeal stuff.

Today, I am having a leisurely start.  I wandered out into the surprisingly warm sunshine and snapped some of the hyacinths.

So pretty.

Later, I am dropping Beth off at the station as she can't take the Tiger (her wheelchair) and I have personal training in the afternoon.  Apart from that, it's all about the housework - isn't it always?

Have a good one and I'm wishing you sunshine like what we have got (as Morecambe and Wise would say).  xx

25-03-25

Good morning, everyone.  Do you have times when all the days feel like different days.  After going out on Sunday afternoon, which hardly ever happens and which made Sunday feel like Saturday, yesterday's not going to circuits made the day feel like Sunday so I woke up this morning thinking it was Monday!

Not for long though because I remembered I did loads of housework yesterday, which I hardly ever do on a Sunday, and we had our lovely Slim Win  online friends chat last night.

After a dreadful night's sleep over Sunday night, I was so pleased that I managed to stay awake through yesterday so that when I went to bed after a day when I did more than the usual Monday housework, I can't even remember turning the lamp off and slept solidly until 5:50.  Thank goodness for that!

The Bubbles, Squibbles and Squeak saga slows down now.  Squeak has been fed and is now in the fridge, Bubbles was already there and Squibbles is also there but her lid isn't clipped down.  The first two will have weekly feeds unless I want some activated starter and Squibbles will be added to and used as and when B and S have been fed.
I'm now wanting to  try various different recipes to see what works and what doesn't but let's be sensible here.  I need to find a 'bank' of people who won't mind me tossing bread in their direction although I am pretty sure Beth will be happy to take some.  

Maybe focaccia???  Hmmm - I wonder.

So - it is now Tuesday (nearly typed Monday)!  I've slept like a log, thank goodness, and all I have in the diary is Groove.  The weather looks to be pleasant so Chris and I will walk - and chat - there and back.  I have bedding to wash, etc, windows to clean and, assuming it isn't cold, I think I will freshen up the Garden Room ready for those warm days to come.  I'm getting on with that cardigan.  The back is done and I've started the sleeves; this time I am doing both at the same time on the same set of needles so I know the shaping is the same and I don't have to keep counting rows so much.

What are your plans for today?

All the best, happy Tuesday, enjoy your life and stay safe and well.  xx

24-03-25

Good morning again, everyone.  Monday, new week last full one in March - the year is racing away right now.  Yesterday's weather wasn't quite as bad as I thought it might be.  Not too much rain and when it did, it wasn't heavy.

The outcome of yesterday mornings bakery session (plus some sourdough crackers with are delicious but will need crisping up before eating.

The crumpets are much better than the previous one except that the bases are a little over-browned.  It's not a problem, I can just toast one side and they will be lovely topped with an egg and with tomatoes and mushrooms on the side for breakfast.  They're now in the freezer.

As for the half and half loaf, well done, Bubbles!  I left it wrapped in a clean cloth to cool and it sort of worked - the crust was still crusty but much easier to slice.  Apart from the end I tasted, the rest is now in the freezer.

The ballet yesterday was absolutely lovely.  You don't get a really bad view in the Chelmsford Theatre Studio, as it calls itself.  Ideally I would have liked to be a little higher and more central but that's just being fussy!  It was everything I wanted it to be and as well as the ballet itself, Darcey Bussell and someone else whose name I cannot remember, were interviewing people in the intervals and that was really interesting.  The buses worked so, really, everything was good.

Today I have a blank page in my diary.  I didn't sleep at all well last night and have pulled pout of circuits - I will make that up later this week - and once I am bathed and ready for the day, I will potter inside and get things in order for the week.  That should make me feel brighter.  :-)

Have a lovely day, everyone.  xx

23-03-25

Good morning, everyone.  It's a dull, damp weekend which is a shame after all the lovely sunshine but at least it isn't icy cold, thank goodness.

I had a quiet day yesterday.  The weather wasn't amazing so I stayed in and chilled.  I did a Lindsey SET online, some knitting, some reading, started a half and half loaf because I prefer to have wholemeal bread, didn't make the sourdough crackers and took half a loaf over to Beth in the afternoon. 

As Keats said, 'A thing of beauty is a joy for ever' and maybe one could turn it round and say ' a joyous thing is always beautiful'.
This is my idea of something beautiful (in its own way).  My dough this morning when I came downstairs.
It's now been pulled, folded, shaped and is in the banneton and in the fridge until ten when I will bake it.  An oval one this time - much easier for getting slices.

I've also made some discard crackers which are currently baking in my new-to-me microwave using the convection function.  Fingers crossed.  And later on I want to make some crumpets for the freezer - lucky freezer! - and that will pretty much use up Squibbles.  Once the starters are established, they go into the fridge and only need feeding about once a week or less.   

As well as that, I need (not want!) to do some housework bits and bobs and, this afternoon, I am off into town on the bus (so it will rain, of course) to see a live film showing of the Royal Ballet's Romeo and Juliet, my absolute favourite ballet of all time.  The seat isn't great but I was lucky to get a ticket so no complaints.  And I might treat myself to a drink in the interval, seeing as I am not driving.  I've worked out the times - going is fine, coming back might be a bit more problematic but if I miss one, there's another about ten minutes later and, if all else fails, I can get a taxi as I don't want to wait an hour for the next one - not so many buses on a Sunday.

Despite the turn in the weather, it should be a lovely day and I'm looking forward to it.  

Wishing you as nice a day too.  xx

22-03-25 - bread and some really good news

Morning, lovely people.  Welcome to Saturday and the start of the weekend. 

Well, we did it.  After Slimming World, I got the loaf in the oven on a cold bake (no preheating the oven) which is a lot better because it's only five minutes longer and it takes fifteen minutes for my oven to heat up that high - cold bake is definitely cheaper.

And here we are.  I was so thrilled with how it came out - and the house smelled amazing!

Isn't it lovely?

And I had to check the inside, didn't I.  This isn't down the middle, I just cut a bit off the side.  And it was delicious!

I enjoyed that bit.

I cut straight down the middle, Beth is having half and the rest is sliced (with difficulty) and in my freezer.

The crust was very crunchy and I think for the next one I will wrap the hot loaf in a clean tea towel which should soften the crust and make it easier to slice.

Today I'm using some discard to make Vanessa's crackers and I am also starting another loaf, this time half and half wholemeal which will make it more SW friendly and more what I like - I do prefer wholemeal bread.

I have some very good news - good for me, I mean.  After my blood test, I looked on my NHS online app today in case anything was through and it said everything was normal, no further action needed, which I am assuming means the high LDLs have been sorted.  Woo hoo!!  No 'discussion' re taking statins now.  The blood pressure readings are good too - I need to get them into a table and send that off.

Have a great day, everyone.  xx

(oops, posted early but never mind - it's been a really good day so I am sharing early.  Just imagine it's Saturday if you read it Friday evening)

21-03-25

Morning, lovely readers!  How did your yesterday go?  It was glorious here, warm and sunny, almost summery, and when I went out, I just wore a cardigan, no coat was needed.

Chris and I had a good old natter before I got the bus into town to have that fairly long overdue blood test and, when that was done, I only had to wait a short time before a bus came along to get me back home again.  It was pleasant in the sunshine - I must go in a bit more often when the weather is good.

I drove over to Lindsey's and, apart from the personal training, the microwave combi is now on the side and cooked yesterday's dinner.  I have to get used to the temperatures and it operates very differently to my old one which was much simpler, but I'll get there and Lindsey sent me the link to the online manual so it shouldn't be a problem.

It has three main functions, microwave, grill and convection or a combination so it will be fun trying things out.

I woke Bubbles to start the first sourdough loaf which has been sitting on the side all night for the 'bulk ferment' which I usually call the first rise.  It really is a long and slow process.

After refreshing your starter and letting it grow, you put all the ingredients in a bowl and give it a good mix.  It looks very ragged but that's OK, you just leave it for an hour to hydrate the flour.  This bit was the hardest work, I think - I could use Thermione but wanted to do it all by hand this first time.

Then you don't knead in the conventional way, you do a series of pulls and folds over several hours, leaving it to relax, covered, between times before giving it a final pull and fold, covering it and leaving it on the side for the bulk ferment.  I gather, if it is very hot weather, you can pop it into the fridge overnight.

As I went through the pulls and folds, the dough became increasingly smooth and silky feeling - it felt so lovely and much less work than the way one kneads yeast bread.

So, after that last pull and stretch and re-covering (I used a shower cap!), I left it on the side and went to bed . . 

. . . and when I came down this morning, magic had happened!  I was almost shocked!!

Good old Bubbles.

I was a bit afraid it had over risen but no, it responded really well to one more set of pulls and folds , it didn't stick to my fingers and now the hopefully tight ball of dough is in the banneton.

Like this.

Now it is covered again and in the fridge as per the instructions where it should slowly rise and be ready to score and bake when I get back from Slimming World.  I'm doing a cold bake when you heat the oven with the dough already in.

The instructions have worked well so far so I am going to trust them in this too.  Fingers are crossed.

And, in the meanwhile, Squeak is being a good little sourdough starter, doing everything expected, and has just had her first discard and feed.

Tomorrow, or maybe later on today, I plan to make something with the mixed discards from Bubbles and Squeak.

OK, so that's that.  I'll let you know how it goes.

Today, being Friday, is Slimming World day so I will be there at 8:15 to help Heidi get set up.  I have a very small shop to do but I think I will come home after SW, do the baking, etc, and do my shop either this afternoon or tomorrow - or maybe both.  I want to go to Aldi for the food bank stuff but Morrisons for my shop because they have what I need.

And that, with the blood pressure readings, is what is happening today.  Plenty of time for housework - what a shame, eh?

Have a great day and take care.  xx

20-03-25

Morning!!

Three nice things happened yesterday morning

I know this might be getting boring for some but I know others are interested so, if you're one of the former, just scroll down - I promise I won't be offended  🤣

The new Squeak is, like her predecessor, doing just what is expected of her, bubbling in a way Bubbles never did at this stage.  Very early days though; her first discard/feed is tomorrow, day 4 so today is just a feed.  Goodness, it's just like having a new born baby, just less smelly and doesn't generate nearly so much work or mess!

I've been in touch with brother, John, because of his birthday, I told him about my Edinburgh trip in November and he was really pleased, saying we will definitely meet up.  Lovely.

And the third nice thing - Lindsey is replacing her microwave/grill/convection thingy and offered her current one for sale.  I was able to snap it up at a very reasonable price as I have been thinking about replacing my little bog standard one with something bigger and a bit more useful.  I have Nellie, of course, but the baskets aren't all that big and there's things I can't do it her.  I'd looked around a bit in the shops but hadn't made any decisions about which one to get and they are quite expensive so this is perfect.

As expected, yesterday was a day of two halves.  The morning was easy - I re-read the paperwork for the meeting, did some cleaning and tidying and chilled a bit.

Come the afternoon, I set off to school, taking the car because I wanted to go straight on to Lindsey's  School is only five minutes walk away so it's easy to walk but this time car was needed - I thought.

The course was really good, well worth the time.  Once that was over and I was back in the car, I thought I would just check my messages and thank goodness I did because Lindsey had messaged to say please could I come at half four instead (she explained why).  I couldn't because of the Gov Meeting so we rescheduled for this afternoon. 

As for the meeting - it was really good, very positive and very upbeat.  I like meetings like this.

On to today and this morning I am coffee-ing with Chris and then bussing into town for my blood test.  That's it as far as diary stuff is concerned, apart from the personal training this afternoon (and bringing the microwave home).  The timings seem to work for starting my very first Bubbles loaf so fingers crossed.  I'm used to bunging everything into Thermione for the kneading, etc, and three hours or so later, I am popping the loaf into the oven.  This is a whole different ball game.  It will be mostly a white load, the aim being to gradually transfer to wholemeal as I get a better feel for it all.  Wish me luck.

xx

19-03-25

 Good morning.  Another chilly start but if today is anything like yesterday, it will be really lovely.  It was a perfect drying day.  Sunny and breezy and I got a load line dried really well with no need to air after ironing.

Groove was fab, as usual.  I don't know how Lindsey keep the energy levels going but she absolutely does.  So much fun.

As expected, the dental thingy was just measuring up my mouth using a clicky sort of thing that took photos and 'data' using some high tech machine.  Very clever stuff.  I'm back in a fortnight for the tooth to be fitted and, hopefully, that will be that (apart from paying the bill ouch)!

I came home and there was a letter about my car insurance.  I'm not sure how but it has gone DOWN by more than just a little bit - maybe because the car is older and, I think, has hit the ten years old mark now. 
That was a pleasant surprise and I can pretty much meet it all with what I have not spent this month, what with some of the local bills being paid just over then months with two months 'free' so to speak so no need to dig into my savings.
Mind you, that's what my short term savings are for so the money is there already but it's nice to manage without using it.  I just won't be putting anything into the holidays fund at the end of this month but it's all swings and roundabouts, isn't it?

Then I got an email from Eon about my bill from mid Feb to mid March and that had gone down too - so I was happy with that as well.

We've got there.

Bubbles is, finally!  No bubbles on the top (which is what I meant yesterday) but loads of activity and a great rise.  Woo hoo.

And Squeak is giving the owls something to think about.  Not sure they totally approve of her bid for freedom though.

So I have combined the two ryes and started a white.  I know I don't need both but it is fun.

Annoyingly, I'm not going to have the time at home today needed to make a proper sourdough loaf so I will have to be patient (again).

And I have changed my mind - the rye is going to remain as Bubbles and, if I manage a white, that will be Squeak.  And, thank you, Sue, the discard will be Squibbles  - a bit of each and a bit of itself too.

The spell checker doesn't like it  :-) .

Also thanks to Veronica for her advice - it's always good to get input from an expert.

Today is a day of two halves.  This morning is easy enough, just home based stuff.  However, the afternoon is packed.
First of all, I am in school for a course - I don't HAVE to go, it is a SEND thing but I am the SEND link governor and it will do as my governor training for this term.
Then I need to whizz over to Lindsey's for my personal training.  I'll take my exercise leggings with me and change at hers.
Finally, after a quick freshen up, I am back into school for the governors' meeting.
I will be ready for bed after that, for sure.

Have a really good day, everyone.  I hope the weather is lovely where you are.  Take care.  xx

18-03-25

 Good morning again, everyone.  It's yet another cold and frosty start to the day although I gather these will soon stop as we get warmer air in from the south,  I'm really looking forward to the time when I can draw the curtains back, fling open the French windows and let the fresh morning air flood into the house.

Not yet though - far too chilly!

Yesterday was pretty cloudy after a sunny start that got me washing and pegging out a load before leaving for Circuits.  No rain though and a bit of a breeze pretty much dried the clothes so I was happy with that.

Here you go - the loaf.   Not much of a rise on it - it is a bit flat and it wasn't quite as much bread as the same amount of my usual yeast risen bread would make.

The crust was lovely and firm and crunchy, the flavour was totally different and really had a sourdough tang to it but the texture was a bit dough-ey as you can see. 
And it's too flat!

However, for a first go - semi-go - I was really happy.

Obviously, I taste tested a slice before popping the rest in the freezer.

If I wanted a pure sourdough, this would be wrong but by adding the very little sprinkle of commercial yeast, I made sure there was no waste and I am happy with that.  You've got to start somewhere.  :-)

I'm happy for another reason too.  Both Bubbles and Squeak were much more energetic yesterday.  Squeak doubled in about six hours and Bubbles, which (who?) I didn't feed in the morning, decided enough was enough and gave me some action too; not as much but better than before.  She is obviously still alive.

I have learned that I was either brave, foolish or plain ignorant to start with a 100% rye starter as these ancient grain flours behave very differently to the white and wholemeal flours.  And, generally, these starters don't bubble, they just grow!  So now I know!

I do want to start a white flour starter.  Bubbles and Squeak will be combined with some going into the starter jar and the white flour starter (which should bubble properly) can be Bubbles II
Squeak may soon be strong enough to consign to the fridge between weekly-ish feedings. 
We will see.

I have a busy morning.  Chris and I will be walking down to Groove and back again, I then have to do the blood pressure thing and have breakfast and then I'm whizzing off to the dentist for the next part of the implant treatment which is, I believe, just taking measurements, etc, so the top part can be made.  Then, in a fortnight, I will go back to have it put in and do the bad bit -  pay the remaining 50%.

Hopefully the afternoon will be simpler!

Have a lovely Tuesday, everyone!  Take care and stay warm.  xx

Monday, 17-03-25

Good morning again, everyone.  So the third week of March starts and time is whizzing away.  My son's birthday is past and my brother's is coming up tomorrow while I specially remember my mum right at the end of the month.  She died early in the morning of March 31st which was also Mothering Sunday that year.  This year the latter is on the 30th so the two days are consecutive.
So March is special for a number of reasons.

Yesterday was very quiet and very gentle.  I did very little really although I did have a go at a loaf.  

I tried to 'activate' the starter on Saturday and it did, sort of, but the dough was very static today with no rise worth speaking of.  In the end I cheated - don't hate me - I shoved the dough in Thermione and added a small sprinkle of dried yeast, less than I usually add, and gave it a quick knead.  By the evening the dough started rising nicely, wouldn't you know; far too late to continue the process so I bunged it in the fridge overnight, took a very nice looking lump of risen dough out a short while ago and it can slowly warm up again before I do the shaping, etc.  All I can say is the flavour had better be really good after taking all this time - the longer the process, the better the flavour.

As for the babes, Bubbles is sleeping but Squeak is becoming more quickly active.  Not as quick as it needs to be but getting stronger.  I'm baffled because I am feeding them both the same but patience, patience, patience . . . it all depends what yeasts they have each picked up, I suppose, and at least they both smell healthy and 'clean'.

Today, I have Circuits and then the usual Monday housework - plus a lazy loaf to deal with!
What plans do you have? 
Keep warm and stay safe.  xx

16-03-25

Good morning, everyone.  What a great night's sleep!  Nearly ten hours and I must have really needed it!  It was proper daylight when I woke and there's another beautiful frost.  They can't go on much longer but, in the sunshine, they are gorgeous.

I had great fun in my kitchen yesterday morning using up my starter discard and making pasta (tagliatelle and lasagne sheets), pikelets and pancakes.  The pancakes gave me breakfast, some of the tagliatelle was part of dinner (the rest has dried out for another few meals) and the pikelets are in the freezer although I'm having two this morning with an egg.

Both pancakes and pasta were delish!

I got to Hobbycraft and, yes, they had the yarn in and three for two so now I have the yarn and can start when I want.  Excellent.

Today is another stay at home and chill sort of day, I think.  I need to download some paperwork and read it through and get a few other things done but that won't take long so I will probably start my new knitting project.

Short and sweet today.  Have a lovely Sunday, whatever your plans are.  xx

15-03-25

Morning, everyone.  Welcome to the weekend!

After Veronica's encouraging  comment yesterday, I went into the kitchen and made some sourdough pasta - basically normal pasta with some sourdough discard added for extra flavour, I assume.  I've made pasta before so no problem but I left this in the fridge overnight to give the fermentation time and will dry half of what it finally comes out for another time.

I'll let you know.

And a shout out to Veronica's site, which is really good if you like reading about recipes and ideas.  She's just started posting again after a quiet time.    

https://www.larecettedujour.org/

Bubbles is still very, very slow and I am definitely learning patience with her.  It is so very tempting to feed more/less/more often/less often - all a bit confusing but the advice out there seems to be all about patience.  Having said that, this morning she had almost a 1cm rise.  Not amazing but better than nothing!

Squeak is fine - slow but pretty much doubling. 
I won't be baking a 'proper' loaf yet but  I am wondering about trying my usual loaf, half amounts (don't want to waste more than I need to)  but use some activated Squeak instead of the usual dried yeast - just to see how it behaves.  I might do that.  After all, I have all weekend!
And I have the pasta to finish and some pancakes to make.

But enough of this waffle.

As expected, I had gained one and a half lbs at SW yesterday.  That's fine - I had a great weekend, made my choices and accept the consequences.  Now I'm moving on!  I must finish planning my meals for the coming week, based on what I have got in.

I did my shop after SW - it wasn't a big shop but no shop nowadays is a cheap one, is it?  Every week things are going up and up and goodness knows where it will end.  However, I am pretty sure I have enough for the rest of the month now apart from things like milk, salad veg, other veg and, perhaps, some fruit.  So next week I will focus on my food bank donation for the month and use the list that I printed out to get a mix of food and non-food necessities.

Today, as mentioned above, is another gentle day.  There's nothing in the diary but there's various bits and bobs to be getting on with and I notice that Hobbycraft has the Aran yarn I want to get back online so I might pop over there to see if it's back in the shop too.  That's not an absolute 'need' but I really do need things to keep my hands busy and I do know what I want to make with it.  At the moment I am knitting sets of fingerless gloves either for the Sally Army drop off or for the Food Bank to donate in the later autumn, when the weather gets colder (and it's using up my stash).

I also have to get some stuff to carry on with my furniture renovations.  Two of my three coffee tables (they're a set) now have a back-to-the-wood clean and smooth top ready for varnishing.  They actually look really nice as they are with a lighter top and the mahogany trim and base and the wood grain is lovely but, if I kept the tops that colour, they wouldn't go with everything else.  I'll see if I can take a photo - hang on!

Yes - here you are - just as it looks right now, allowing for not very good light.

for this one, I ran a damp cloth over it because it shows the wood better but it does absorb the water quickly and dry out so I didn't want to get it too wet - hence the patches.

However, I think I will wait until April to buy anything - I will need varnish and a good brush.  In the meanwhile, I am waiting on one of those scratch removal pen thingies and when that arrives I can deal with the scratches and marks on the trim and the base.

There's more to this than I first thought there would be but it's rewarding. 

I've just drawn the curtains back and, yes, there's a fair old frost again.  It's supposed to stay chilly all day but should ne nice and sunny so that will keep inside nice and warm.
Well, I had better go and start my day with a session in the kitchen feeding the babies, activating some of Squeak for this bread I want to try, emptying the dishwasher and all that stuff.

Have a lovely day/weekend, everyone.  xx

14-03-25

Good morning, everyone!  It's Friday already, a week since my short break started - why does time fly so much faster as you get older?   Is it just because life gets more full and more engaging - or maybe things just take a bit longer?  I don't know.

Anyway, Friday it is and we are now almost halfway through March.  Not quite but near enough.  It felt more like the middle of January here yesterday, really chilly with a bit of a wind that didn't help at all.  It'll warm up again at some point, it has to, so I'm looking forward to that.

Thank you again for the sourdough advice - please do keep it coming!  I am pleased to reveal that, finally, at long last, Bubbles is living up to her name just a little bit.  You could hardly call it a proper rise, just half a cm, but definitely a rise.  Squeak is continuing to pretty much double but, at the moment, it is a very slow process.

The pikelet I made yesterday for breakfast was scrummy and easier to make without faffing with a ring.  I ought to start collecting the discards but, for now, I'm enjoying making small amounts of stuff, just enough for one.  I don't need to make loads; some of the videos I have been enjoying are from people feeding largish families or several adults (or both) and of course they make lots and lots but I'd never get through so much so it's little and often right now.

I thought that the next thing would be a few pancakes.  It's a bit different because one adds an egg and some liquid - the recipe says milk but I would probably make it yogurt and water - and not today as I don't need them today.   Better start my discard jar today.

I'm trying to remember what I did yesterday.  Chris came round, I had a good tidy up, I picked up my blood test form and I started my blood pressure readings.  My shopping list is ready and my finance spreadsheet is up to date.  Lots of little things.

It is Slimming World today and, after last weekend's indulgences (totally my choice) there's not a chance in a million that I will be back into target.  The question is how much have I put on and I'll know the answer to that in around three and a half hours!  😊

Then I go to Morrisons and do my weekly shop before coming home and getting on with the rest of my day.

Nothing in the diary so I can catch up on a few things and, maybe, look up some recipes and so on.

What are your plans for today?  Catriona, I hope your eye continues to improve.   Take care, everyone, and have a lovely day!  Stay warm.  xx

13-03-25

Good morning, everyone.  Cold, isn't it?  Well, round here it is, I mean.  It felty positively icy at times yesterday, quite a shock after the balmy weekend.  And we're now getting rain too.  

Thank you for your kind comments about Squeak.  Bubbles is still taking life very easy.  No deterioration, just minimal activity while Squeak doubled in size again.  It's a slow rise but that's OK; I don't intend to try any breadmaking for another few weeks and then only if the rise is faster.  It was really nice to use Squeak's discard to make a crumpet for breakfast yesterday - not your usual kind of crumpet because I am using 100% rye flour but definitely a crumpet and very tasty indeed, topped with an egg.

See!  Very dark and amazing flavour.  You can hear the good cholesterol rejoicing, can't you?  

This morning I have made a pikelet - same thing but without a ring to shape it.

For anyone interested, I'm feeding them both 1:1:1 at the moment and I think today I will start looking for a likely rye (or wholemeal) loaf recipe.  The perceived wisdom is to find a loaf and stick with it until you really get the hang of it and then branch out.

I rather enjoyed having two fitness classes yesterday (the first was because there wasn't one on Monday) and, if there were forty eight hours in the day and I had endless funding, I'd do it every day as I do enjoy the sessions.
However, there aren't and I don't so I am just very grateful for what I can do and enjoy.

Today is one of those days that feel busy.  I'm not doing online SET but Chris is over for coffee and chat and I do need to tidy up just a little bit.  

I want to drive down to the surgery and pick up my blood test form for next week and I must start my week of blood pressure readings today, I think.

I'm doing my weekly shop (although I didn't do one last week) tomorrow after Slimming World so I must finish my meal planning and the shopping list

And finally, my bedroom is an awful tip again so I will be tackling that.

So, you see, it feels busy, probably more so that it really is.

12-03-25

 Good morning. everyone.  How is the week going for you - well, I hope.  It was a lovely weekend but it was great to be home and doing normal things in a normal way again.

Groove was most enjoyable and I think the extra work over the weekend was good for me as it felt easier than usual.  The walk there and back is always fun too.

I paid my governor's visit - it wasn't a long one and I have plenty to write up so that is on tomorrow's list.
In between circuits and school I managed to get three loads of washing done, line dried and ironed so I was very pleased about that.

When I got home Monday, I released Bubbles and Squeak from their chilly hibernation and got them warmed up before feeding them.  Bubbles has responded only a very little (but still smells good - a bit yeasty) while just look at Squeak yesterday evening!!  That's a good rise, isn't it?

I think when I feed him in a little while, I will have a go at using the discard to make either crumpets or pikelets (sort of freeform crumpets) and if it fails, I haven't lost much because I was throwing out the discard anyway as it's so very young.

This has made me very happy!  Simple things for . . . etc.

I won't be attempting a loaf yet though - even if it keeps rising and falling between feeds, it's very young and not that strong.

At the moment they are both rye starters but, assuming Bubbles gets going too, I will slowly convert one to white flour so I have two different starters.

Apart from any sourdough experimenting, I have two fitness classes today.  I'm going to circuits this morning as Monday's didn't happen and I'm back at the studio this afternoon for my personal training.  In between, I do need to do some tidying and cleaning as it didn't get done Monday and the place is still quite dusty.

And that's my day.  A nice, ordinary day doing mostly nice, ordinary things - and keeping warm.  Hasn't it turned chilly again?

Take care, all, stay warm and be safe and happy.  xx

11-03-25

Good morning, everyone.  I'm back home and trying to get back to normal after a very lovely and enjoyable weekend at Potter's Five Lakes.

I only found one more usable photo on my camera, part of the Games Hall.  It's huge.  To the right of this shot there is a full sized bowling green that could accommodate four games easily.  To the left there's loads of small games, shove halfpenny tables, darts, and goodness knows what else while behind is the studio where all the fitness stuff happens.

Like Center Parcs, it is definitely a holiday the weather can't spoil.

After a very leisurely breakfast yesterday where everyone was obviously most reluctant to break up the party, Diane and I loaded my car up before I went back in to talk to the rebooking people.  Yes, I have booked another weekend!  Just me this time, so it won't be the same at all, but it's still good and I can still be active as there's the Potter's run fitness-type classes that cover all sorts of things from a wake up, stretch out session through to things like cheerleading, dancercise and line dancing - plus the pool, of course.  I didn't actually use the pool this time, which is a shame.

Anyway, that's in June.

Diane lives a little bit closer to Five Lakes than I do and, thankfully, it involved going under, not on, the A12 (I don't really like the A12).  I went in for coffee and another good old chat before heading home.  Goodness, I was shattered!  What with a late night on Sunday and waking at stupid o'clock on Monday, sleep was a bit on the deprived side.  

I had intended to unpack, etc, but instead I sank into my comfy chair and chilled.  I may have slept a bit too.  😊

Consequently, today is rather full.  I) will be off to Groove in about an hour and a half and this afternoon I have my SEN link governor visit to school (must dig out that paperwork).  In between these two, I have unpacking, making dinner, doing some washing and generally tidying up.  I don't think I will get anything else much done today.

So that's today.  It is nice to get back to normality again but I'm very glad I will be going back again not too far into the future.  

Have a lovely day, everyone.  xx

10-03-25 - home, sweet home

Morning, all.  It's just before seven and I am up, bathed and ready with only my handbag, tech bag, toothbrush and toothpaste remaining in my room.  Breakfast is at nine so I have time to write this now.

Typically, although we sang the evening away until nearly midnight, I was up and zooming round a five.  I'll feel that later on but it's OK, part from the whole unpacking and meal prep thing, I have nothing else important today.

I decided not to go to aqua and SET this morning (or is it circuits?).  Apart from feeling achy and weary after a very full and active weekend, I just don't need the added complication.

Here's some photos.

The entrance.  It's lovely when the trees are in leaf.

Ditto for the car parks.

Five Lakes was a spa hotel before Potters took it over with quite a well known golf course .

One of the 'lakes'.  I suppose Around Five Largish Ponds Spa wouldn't sound nearly as attractive.

Their bulbs are a little behind the ones at home but you can see they will look a real picture soon.

A very photogenic swan . . . 

. . . and his/her mate (I presume).
How can you tell which is which?

A view of the actual hotel itself

Inside and poor lighting but not to worry.

The Garden Bar

To the right of the Garden Bar, a smaller stage where the hold the daytime quizzes, performances and games and the late night singsongs, etc,

Some of the fancy lighting.

They have some nice wall art.  I'd love this in my home but I think it would be hard to smuggle it out in my handbag, don't you?

The Orangery, where the craft sessions are held.

There is, of course, a little shop,that sells all sorts of stuff including some rather nice sparkly things.
Was I tempted - of course I was.
Did I?  Nope.  

My halo still shines.

And, finally, here's the Mersea Suite where we had all our fitness classes apart from Aqua.

I have a few more photos but they are still on my phone or camera so I will put them in tomorrow's post.

Yesterday was another busy and enjoyable day.
I did Groove with Lindsey, Abbacise and line dancing with the Potters team, went for a walk, played games and did a craft session - lily folding which is nothing to do with flowers and really not too difficult at all.  I'll show you my effort tomorrow and here's a YouTube video that explains it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSiGUdpiwtE

We're meeting up for breakfast at nine and going our separate ways although I'm driving Diane home (Caroline brought her) and I want to talk to the rebooking team (after all, why not?).  I'm pretty much ready now so I think that after posting this I will take my tech bag down to the car and then sit in the Lakeview Lounge with my Kindle and have a quiet read.

Back home and back to what passes for normal by tomorrow.  Have a good day, everyone, and may the sun shine on us as beautifully as it has here all weekend.  xx

09-03-25 - still at Five Lakes

Morning, all.  Welcome to Sunday and the second (and last) day at Five Lakes.  
I'm afraid I have been a Very Bad Girl and don't have any photos to share with you.  I've been too busy enjoying myself around and about the place and just forgot.  Ooops.

We're so lucky with the weather this weekend.  Glorious sunshine and it feels really mild too.  I wish I had brought T shirts with me rather than polo neck tops.  Today might go up to 15C which seems very warm in comparison to the frosts we had last week.  

Yesterday started with a SET class with Lindsey, then a quick light breakfast before returning to the Mersea room for a circuits session.  That started the day off well.  Apart from that, later on we went to a Potters run dancercise which was great, we played games in the games hall - things like Jenga, four in a row, bouncing ping pong balls, beanbags through holes - that sort of thing, we went to quizzes, drank too much coffee and generally had a great time.  By mid afternoon, Diane and I were wiped out, especially as both of us were suffering from an excess of Friday evening indulgence, so we retired to our rooms for some down time to take us through the evening.

Right now, I am sitting up in bed, typing this, enjoying a coffee and thinking about what I might like to do today (depending on the others, of course).  There's four of us going round together which is really nice.

I'm not going to the circuits first thing at eight but I will go to Groove from eight forty five to nine thirty and then have breakfast.  That's still a bit early for me to start eating but that's OK.  If I'm ready earlier than Groove, I might go for a walk in the early sunshine (and try to remember to take photos!)
I'll need to make half an hour or so for packing this afternoon.  I like to get everything but what I need for the evening and tomorrow morning into my car so there's no feeling of rush on Monday morning.
Apart from that, it is unadulterated enjoyment doing just what we fancy.  There's a few Potters run fitness things, all the quizzes, some crafting sessions and lots of sporty things like darts, bowls, archery, clay pigeon shooting, etc, etc, etc.  We're spoilt for choice.

Again, big apologies for the lack of photos.  Fingers crossed for tomorrow.
Have a lovely day, wherever you are and whatever you have planned, and be happy!  xx

08-03-25 - at Five Lakes

Good morning, everyone!  Welcome to Saturday and my weekend at Five Lakes.  It was a lovely drive here yesterday.  There's two main ways you can get here from home.  One is slightly shorter but means going on the A12 which can be a right headache so I choose to go via Danbury and through Maldon.  OK, so Maldon's not the best place to drive through when it is busy but it wasn't busy and I made sure I knew all the roundabout exits, etc.

So - pleasant drive, mostly through countryside and villages.

When I arrived, I was waiting to check in when Diane pounced on me - she got here before lunch and had booked a lunch meal which you can do now.  I recognised lots of other Shimmy n Groove people too which was really nice.

This is my bedroom.  It's not huge but it is really nice, very comfortable, good air con, windows that open but not such a great view this time.  That's not a problem because I don't intend spending very long here anyway.

That door is into the bathroom.

I had decided not to do aqua - I was just another thing to organise - so I unpacked, had a coffee and then headed off to Groove.  It was the same sequences as Lindsey does in class so thoroughly enjoyable.

After a bath we had a pre-dinner get together in the Lakeview Bar before all heading down for dinner.
I'm afraid I rather overdid it - food, not alcohol.  My poor old tum is not used to three courses in the evening and is complaining a bit right now but self inflicted and I did enjoy it.
Then it was off to the theatre for a game or two, some singing and The Show, which was songs from the musicals and very good, albeit rather loud.

Today is going to start with a SET class at eight (am I bonkers?), then a very light breakfast before some Circuits.  I will grab some fruit, etc, from the buffet to have at my normal breakfast time of around eleven.  I don't know what else we intend doing today.  There's plenty to choose from and I am sure a walk around the 'lakes' (ponds, really) will happen at some point.  No more fitness classes though - two is enough for one day although Lindsey is leading two more this morning.  I really don't know how she does it and can then dance the night away after the show.  Diane and I just go to bed!

And talking of Diane - we will be discussing holidays at some point.  Nice.

I'll see if I can take more (better) photos but don't bet on it.  For now, I need to finish my coffee and then get myself up and ready before chilling until Groove.  No dishwasher to empty, no clothes to put in the machine, no meals to prep - it's very nice for a change although I don't think I would always like to live like that, would you?

Have a great day, lovely people, stay safe and I hope the sun smiles on you today.  xx