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.
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
No better on the solar eclipse for me neither. I used a colander to reflect it onto a piece of white card, but even taking a photo and enlarging it, there was just a bit of uneveness at about 1 o'clock position on the circles. Still, I've experienced three full solar eclipses in my lifetime so far and one full moon one, which was rather more interesting with most of the planets visible too, so mustn't be greedy. :-)
ReplyDeleteYes - that was my impression - you could hardly see it. Bit of a damp squib really! xx
DeleteThe partial eclipse wasn't advertised much, or perhaps it was and I just didn't see/hear it. Lovely, bright, breezy day today.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is. It is just gorgeous. xx
DeleteI didn’t even know about the partial eclipse until my son turned up and said that he was amazed that no one had talked about it!
ReplyDeleteApparently, there is another one in 2026 and it will be almost be total, with around 90% of the Sun being obscured by the Moon at the maximum. It'll begin at 6.17pm BST, with maximum at 7.13pm. So now you know! 😁
Now THAT'S what I call an eclipse - August 2026. 90% is worth waiting for and watching. I might even treat myself to some appropriate glasses (cardboard, obviously!)
Deletexx
It is so interesting following your journey with Bubbles, Squeak and Squibbles and all the different breads you are trying. I haven't made bread in a long time but I might give it another go.
ReplyDeleteD tried to see the eclipse but with no luck. I'm afraid we just forgot about it until far too late in the day.
We have magpies visit our garden quite often, usually in pairs.
Thanks - I'm certainly enjoying the whole process myself. I woiuld encourage you to give it a go - it is such an enjoyable thing to do and very satisfying.
DeleteI do rather like magpies just because they are so dramatic! xx
Do you have a recipe for the sourdough crumpets? I use a can of diced tomatoes flavoured with basil, oregano and blitz it in a blender or whatever. It makes a great light pizza sauce. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much. Marjorie - I must have a go at making some - it would be way better value.
DeleteYes, I have a recipe - I'll pop it into Monday's blog post. xx