Stuff I Like: July 2019

Sunday, July 28, 2019

Sourdough starter

I think I mentioned in a previous post that I've been watching a show on Netflix called Chef's Table. Well, I was totally inspired by the Nancy Silverton episode and have become obsessed with the idea of learning to bake bread.

And not just any bread. I want to make sourdough from my own personal starter. I've always kind of wanted to do this. A bread starter is basically a science experiment and I've been a sucker for science experiments for just about as long as I can remember.

So, here we go. I used Nancy Silverton's recipe -- flour, water, and grapes wrapped in cheesecloth. I'll let it ferment and grow and then in a couple of weeks, let the baking begin!

Sourdough starter - Day 1

Family fun

We went back to Cincinnati this weekend, for the second time this month. This time, we were there to catch up with family.

We sent Molly on Friday with my parents so she could get extra time with my cousin Emily's daughter, Ella. Molly and Ella are about 9 months apart and total kindred spirits. They both love ducks, cooking, dress up, playing games, and avoiding the boys. I think it has been at least 3 or 4 years since they've seen each other, but it was like no time had passed. They were thick as thieves all weekend and I just caught glimpses here and there as they ran by us or paused to request another cookie or cup of lemonade.

That left me with plenty of time to keep an eye on my rambunctious dog, who probably had the most fun of anyone this weekend, running around the back yard with my cousin Katie's dog, Birdie, and my Uncle Neal's dog, Sparky.

But best of all was spending time with my Grandma & Grandpa O, who drove up from Tennessee to see all of us. I know they got such a kick out of seeing their great-grands run around. And I think they're looking pretty darn good for 90 plus!

We missed my cousins Patrick, Scott, and Brian, who had other stuff happening this weekend. But that just gives us a reason to plan another reunion, so we can get everyone together.

Molly and Ella - second cousins (if I have that bit of genealogy right)

Betsy's boys also played really well with Emily's kids. Here's James with Max

Back row from left: Archie, B, Me, Sean, Jas, Sus, Aunt Sue, Uncle Roger, Mom, Dad, Uncle Neal, Aunt Terry, Paul, Katie, Emily, and Joe
Front row from left: Molly, Grandma O, Grandpa O, Ella, Max, James, and George

Monday, July 15, 2019

And now, she's nine!

Happy 9th birthday to Molly!! We celebrated with what I have been calling "A Grand Tour of the Midwest" -- Evanston, IL to Minneapolis, MN to Elkhart Lake, WI, then back to Evanston, down to Cincinnati, OH/Covington, KY then home again. We drove approximately 1500 miles over the course of a week and it was equal parts fun, relaxing, and exhausting! I'd write a recap of the trip, but think the pictures are probably worth a thousand words :)