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The world goes on

§ November 28th, 2006 § Filed under bread, food, In the neighborhood § Add a comment

Some things in the world are very reassuring. Listening to news is not one of these…. But if you need reassuring that the world is carrying on in the way that the world needs to, work with yeast.

Over the weekend I restarted my starters, since the season has come to have my little warming tank set up to help the yeasties be happy. There’s always a moment when you are mixing flour and water together and you think: this will never work. Afterall, mixing flour and water together got the whole matzot thing going.

But of course, what separates sourdough from matza is one simple thing that we all have (at least when we’re not fleeing from our captors!) – TIME.

So the first day – no reaction in the two containers. One is rye starter and the other a stiff levain.

Day two – not much reaction there. Doubt creeps in

Day three – BIG reaction. Doubled and bubbly and showing just how much a player yeast really is.

After last night’s feed, both containers were already as big and bubbly this morning as they were the night before.

So – guess it’s time to make some bread. Yes I know one could wait a few more days. The quasi-newenglander in me says it’s just wrong to throw away starter when you could make bread from part of it while feeding the rest.

Spending money to improve the world

§ November 27th, 2006 § Filed under quilting § Add a comment

One of those feel-good stories that make you say – wait a minute, now I see, we’re just stupid for not seeing this way of doing things and embracing it. Oh yeah – quelle surprise – art education (instead of athletics) as a way out of poverty. Go figure.

But don’t take my word for it – go listen to the Fresh Air piece by Lloyd Schwartz and decide for yourself. Requires either Real Audio or Windows Media Player. Both free downloads. Need ‘em? Go get ‘em!

When you’re done, I’m predicting you’ll be itching to allocate some fed money from one holey bucket to something that at least does some good in the world.

Little tweaking re comments

§ November 26th, 2006 § Filed under geeky stuff, life on the web § Add a comment

Because of a big wave of comment-spam, I’ve had to change things a bit in the comment dept.  From now on if you make comments here, you’ll be asked to preview your post before submitting it.  Hopefully between this and the topic/content spam filter we’ll be spare the endless wave of casino and poker-related “comments”.

Sorry for any inconvenience.  Looking for something similar for your wordpress blog?  Here it is.

Happy Thanksgiving!

§ November 23rd, 2006 § Filed under food, In the neighborhood § 2 Comments

Hug the persons nearest to you today and pass the parsnips please.

Just a tease…

§ November 22nd, 2006 § Filed under quilting § 2 Comments

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