Priscilla

Some of Abby's friends have been requesting sourdough starters from me, so I've been portioning out some of my own to give to them. For a little while, I was sorely depleted, and I hardly had enough starter to make a boule. Welllll, it only took a day and a half to build'er back up. Abby's friends asked what my starter's name was (a lot of sourdough fanatics name their starters, often punny in nature), but I have never named mine. So she said they decided to christen her Priscilla.

Priscilla abounds. Her jars runneth over.

I've been making a boule nearly every day, since the kids have been devouring one nearly every day.

I had so much excess starter I made a bunch of crackers (this was only some of them).

I'm glad I like to make sourdough. It's therapeutic for me, which is good because I haven't been running much, due to injury/lack of motivation. Running is usually my stress reliever. We can get through this winter, Priscilla. It's feeding time!

Just some pretty flowers from my Sweet <3 to look at while I sourdough (did you know that's a verb?)

Mimi & PopPop's fall visit

Mimi and PopPop drove out from WV for a few days last week.

Pet love

Checking out some pictures from Mimi and PopPop's trip to the Canadian Rockies

Just a pretty sunrise run one morning

It was nice to have Pop join us at practice.

Zeke really thinks he's one of the team (Love those teen boys and how they include the Littles)

The girls have been busy in the kitchen this fall, baking lots of tasty treats. This was the second time Iris hasmade these delicious streusel cookies. They look like they're out of a magazine. And they have such patience, often bringing Penny or Zeke in to "help." Mimi can be seen back there, reviving my sourdough starter. It had been months since I'd made any, but she whipped up some loaves and made up some extras to put in the fridge to get us started again. Thanks, Mimi!

We went on a walk and played at the park in Belleville- the first couple of days were a bit dreary/cloudy, but Friday was beautiful!

Helping Pop put in Maple's new tie out cable (She was not a fan).

On Friday, after practice and the pep rally, we got pizza and ate it at the Hop Garden (they encourage that). Then, we enjoyed the outdoor patio space and live music. Penny and Zeke enjoyed dancing to the music, as they did the first time we visited a couple of weeks ago.

A lovely evening! And we topped off their visit the following day at the Homeschool Championship meet in Rockford, IL. The weatherman forecast an 85% chance of rain, but it also turned out to be an absolutely beautiful fall day...

Snow & sourdough

First waking up and seeing all that white... and anticipating it coming all day...

It was excellent for packing.

She wasn't sure about it at first.

But warmed to it pretty quickly

A lovely view- kids playing in the snow outside while my sourdough proofs on the counter

It's hard to tell, but we got about 8"

Everything was covered - a stunning snow

Our pretty church

Our driveway

My mom shared some sourdough starter with me in November, and I've made several loaves since then, learning new things with each one. This one was close, but not quite there...

All the snow clothes and gear, drying

Upset that she can't get her snow bibs on herself (I kept offering to help)

She finally allowed a little help from Mom.

Because she reeeally wanted to go out.

<3

Poetry teatime this past week was provided by Opal's and Toby's and Penny's godparents :-D Our pantry was lacking in anything exciting for our weekly tradition, and just in time, some thoughtful packages arrived at our door.

Iris reads Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost (this version has lovely illustrations)

I made some crackers out of my sourdough discard (I forgot to mix the butter into this first batch, so they didn't look very appealing, but they were addictive!

Snowstorm #2

Grateful for another light school day- and another day off for Abigail! We hunkered down indoors all afternoon, once everyone had gotten their fill of sledding and fort making.

Joel's measurement was 15" total

I think I *finally* got it! (the heat was not turned down mid-bake, as I had to leave kids in charge for a bit, but other than a bit dark on top, they were perfect)

Tonight, we are supposed to get -15, and that is not with thte windchill. I am so grateful for our renovation, which has brought a lot more even heating to our home! And for our our woodstove, which has been cranking a lot lately.

Saving this one for tomorrow's corn & bacon chowder.