Sweater People

Is there anything cuter than these two?

Sourdough Details

Here's my Sourdough Bible of the moment, friends.  It's doing me well, and I can't wait to try more recipes from it.  I used up my first batch of starter.  I thought that was maybe it for my interest in sourdough.  Then, I started missing it.  I guess it really is like a pet!  So this coming warm weekend I'll be fermenting some more.

I also made the prune cake I was talking about in my last post.  It was DELICIOUS.  As usual in any recipe I doubled the cinnamon, and added a teaspoon of baking soda, as there was no additional yeast to this quick bread and I was scared it wouldn't rise at all.  I took it to work (didn't tell them it had prunes) and everyone loved it.  Recipe below.

 

Finally, I show you the back of this grotty book I bought at an estate sale for $.25 because I want you to see what a triumph Rita herself is (click to photo to enlarge).  I'd like to take a photo of myself and my bread like this.  I also need some hot rollers to achieve this hairstyle, most perfect for practicing the domestic arts.  The book says she was a TV chef.  Anyone know anything about this?  I must look it up!  Make Rita's prune bread, and enjoy!

Sourdough Prune Nut Bread

(from the book above)

2 cups sourdough starter

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup wheat germ

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 ( to 1) teaspoon cinnamon

1 egg, beaten

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup powdered milk

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup cooked, drained prunes, chopped.

1/2 cup chopped nuts (i used almonds)

1 tsp baking soda (optional)

Measure sourdough starter into a large bowl.  Add sugar, wheat germ, salt, cinnamon, egg, milk, and powdered milk.  Mix well.  Fold in flour, prunes, and nuts.  Pour into a well greased loaf pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes or until done.  Cool 5 minutes before removing from pan.  Makes 1 loaf.

Starter Up

I've wanted to try making Sourdough bread all Summer, and finally got around to it a couple of weeks ago.  I think the idea of a starter that you have for a long time, generations even, is so Romantic.  Bakeries that use the same starter that came from when the bakery opened, even though the people who started the bakery have long since passed away, really inspire me.  It's sort of like a pet that outlives you, like a tortoise who is over 100 years old, originally kept by your grandfather.  The only pet I've had in my adult life is this starter, and given my track record with houseplants, it probably won't outlive me.  Still, I'm going to see how long I can keep it.

The starter, now in its first replenishment, smells potent and fermented:

My first loaf of bread from the starter.  So delicious.  Used most effectively on my new favorite sandwich, strong cheddar and pickled beets (try it, you will love it).

The recipe was for two loaves, but i made one giant one instead.  Instead of doing a double rise, I used my tried and true Jim Lahey method, and it worked perfectly.

It made the most amazing toast.  I can't  even tell you.

I also made sourdough carrot raisin cake, though it was more of a quick bread.  All of my recipes are coming from one book, which I'll share with you soon.  I'm going to make some kind of sourdough prune cake next, if only because I've never eaten a prune.  I associate them with old people's diets and constipation relief, though at times I am known to covet both.  Onward!

On the Water, In the Gorge

This week we've had a special guest from England.  Mr. Jones' dad (the real Mr. Jones) came for a visit.  We've been showing him the sites.  On Saturday, we went to the gorge and were able to get a viewpoint or two in before it poured rain.  We then hopped on a boat and saw, well, a lot of fog.  Still, enjoyable.

 

The whole experience was very English, the boat's interior reminding me of an English tea room in the Lake District.  Of course the weather was very British, too.  Maybe the real Mr. Jones was right at home!

Best Secret Cookie

I took these cookies to work, calling them "Almond, Pumpkin Seed, Chocolate Chip Cookies" and asked everyone to name the secret ingredient. No one was even close.

They were, by far, the best cookies I've made for a long time. They're from this recipe, which is almost healthy enough that I can call them 'Breakfast'. I'm going to make them again, maybe substituting apple sauce for some of the butter, and raisins for the chocolate chips. Maybe make them into yummy granola bars?

Head in the Clouds

Speaking of vests I've designed, here's another that I worked on this Summer. I call it "Head in the Clouds", since a 12-18 month old child will be putting their head in these clouds sometime soon. Ravelry details here.

It's made from Cascade Heritage, one of my favorite yarns for colorwork since Colinette Jitterbug. It's very reasonably priced for how much you get on a skein. This used about 2/3 skein of blue, and hardly any white.

The knitting went well, until I got the proportions a bit wacky, and had to tear it apart a couple times before it was right. Now that it's complete, and the burn of making it is over, I can't wait to see a little one wear it. One day, I might just write up the pattern.

Red Ribbon Day

Exciting news, friends. I won Second Prize at the Oregon State Fair!

I entered my HarVest Design into the "Original Item by Designer" competition. Unfortunately, Mr. Jones and I didn't make it to the State Fair this year (like we did last year). But when I picked up my entry here in Portland, the woman reached into the paper bag with my name on it, pulled it out to confirm it was mine, and squealed "Ooh, there's a ribbon on it, Congratulations!". I then squealed with her.

Second prize not only gives me something to aspire to for next time, the red ribbon matches the vest so nicely, I might never take it off!

You can make your own HarVest, by following the instructions right here.

Patch It Up

My sister and I used to collect patches when we were kids. I think my parents started the collection and we had it for years, until my mom decided to sew them all on a vest she wears to rake the leaves. I remember feeling sad that they were no longer in the cigar box where we stored them, for me to route through and remember old trips. My favorite was a Big Bird patch from Sesame Place (you feeling me, Pennsylvanians?). After all these years, I've started a patch collection of my own. I'm even going to get a cigar box to keep them in! These four represent my Summer, 2011.

Seattle

We spent the labor day weekend in Seattle. We'd been there once before (during the first time we lived in the Northwest), and didn't like it so much. This time, equipped with a friend (and Seattle native)'s list of places to see, we covered many different areas, and liked it so much more.











Bainbridge Island was certainly a highlight. Curry connoisseur Mr. Jones also rated this restaurant the "Best Indian Food in America". We also saw one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen (but of course didn't remember the camera). There wasn't a cloud in the sky the whole time we were there. This time, Seattle gets a thumbs up!

The Cutest Clothing Ever

I am in love with these amazing clothes (and wonderfully styled photographs) from Fred and Ginger. I want a wardrobe like this!