Success With Bread

When the sun rose yesterday morning, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and it was cold. I could hardly wait to light the fire, but first, of course, is feeding the brood. Once the house was warm, I set out to get started on my first task of the day—making bread. I wanted to get it started and then walk Sheba while it was proofing.

It was lovely to walk on a fresh but bright sunny morning. Sheba, newly groomed on Friday morning, positively glowed as we walked along the trails of the 707 Park. It’s the fragrances that thrill me so as we walk. My nose is a great source of joy.

I have several cheap folding doors that conceal my closets and pantry. The slider that holds the pin that’s embedded in the door has broken on two of the doors. I decided to remove the track and then to put it back but with washers between the track and the ceiling on which it is mounted. This, I figured, would make it more difficult for the pin to slip out of the slider. My idea worked perfectly and now two doors that have never worked properly, are fixed!

We had lunch and shortly afterwards, I put my dough into the oven. I forgot to put some boiling water in a small container into the oven with the bread, so I was not optimistic about the outcome. But I was thrilled with the result. Nothing beats a slice of freshly baked bread! I doubt I’ll ever buy bread again. It’s too much fun baking it. I may make a cinnamon and raisin loaf next.

I went into the village to shop, and I picked up a couple of butternut squashes, and when I got home, I made some squash soup. I baked the squash, puréed it, added some vegetable broth, ginger, and hot curry powder, and I loved the soup. I had it for lunch and dinner with a slice of my fresh bread. Yum!

Pete came over with a lifetime of tax records, and we burned them in my burn barrel. I helped him and really enjoyed visiting with him. Then I came inside to chill for a while before our afternoon trail walk in the Elder Cedar grove. It was busy on the trail; there were lots of people and dogs to greet along the way. Then home for dinner and a movie on the chaise.

Today has dawned bright and sunny, but it’s cold out there. I plan to just chill all day and then go to Kris and Steve’s for dinner with my friends, the South End Mob (Kris, Steve, Stacy, Nancy, Bryce, Kris and Steve). Tomorrow, another week of no appointments and nothing social begins. I am keen for endless days to myself.