Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Knitting Progress

Today's yarn/knitting update is due to motivation!  My husband's birthday is next week, and I really really wanted to get this sweater done for him.  Let's not think about the fact that I also really really wanted to get it done for his Christmas present....'kay? 

My second motivating influence is brand new yarn from Great Britain!!  I cannot wait to use it and start a cardigan project (for me), but my self-imposed limitation was to finish Big Fish's sweater first!  I'm down to about 10 centimeters on the crewneck collar and then seam up the underarms and weave in the ends.  Woohoo!!  Here's a little picture update:



This small person appeared when I had my camera out:



Joining in on the yarn along today.....also, no picture, but I'm reading a lovely book:  "The Girl of the Limberlost".

<a href="http://www.gsheller.com/tag/yarn-along"

Monday, February 9, 2015

Snippet

So many things to post that I just get overwhelmed and don't post at all.  Well, maybe I can make a dent in putting my thoughts here by just doing some little snippets. 

Looks like another blogger has been experimenting with sourdough like us....go check it out

I did some internet research and started (ha!) my own sourdough starter!  I went the easiest route and started with a flour and water mixture in a quart jar.  The jar was covered with a coffee filter in order to allow wild yeast to enter.  Well, I feel like I'm raising a little pet now that needs to be fed and kept warm.  So far our kitchen has been warm enough, and I'm happy to report that it works!

In my research, I shared with the kids how some families have maintained a starter for decades.  Well, Abigail has requested I maintain this starter for her family!  No pressure or anything....

We have made some waffles, pancakes, and two batches of bread.  My favorite so far has been the honey wheat sourdough bread - um, yum!!  The waffles were a close second.  The pancakes, well, not so much.  I really think that tasty pancakes can be made with sourdough starter; I just happened to choose a recipe that was just completely sourdough starter with some eggs.  It was too sour!  I'd blend in some milk and flour with maybe a cup of the starter to balance the tanginess.

As I feed the starter, I'm only using rye and whole wheat flours; so I really feel the health benefits in our efforts to improve our eating habits.  I'll leave you with a picture of the wonderful bread we made last week: