Litha

Happy Litha

 And to all the Daddys, a Happy Fathers' Day.

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by....................*s*

More Bread

 Pain de Compagne from 100 GREAT BREADS by Paul Hollywood.  

This recipe has enough rye flour and fresh oregano to give it a nice, herbal flavor without being overpowering.  I made a few buns which were wonderful with hamburgers. 

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by.................*s*

June

This is a challah I baked yesterday.  I got bored with my basic bread and decided to delve into my collection of bread recipes.  This is a combo of various recipes. I switched out the sugar for brown rice syrup.  It's not a huge amount but it does give the bread a very nice flavor note.  I only used one egg; I think I should have used two or three.

I had so much dough that I made some burger buns and a tasty dried fruit twist.

One of the fun things about  bread is the way it can be twisted and braided.  This is a four strand plait.

I am thrilled to see my white (iris) flag blooming.  I planted it many years ago around the time of the caterpillar invasion.  Between bugs, drought, and a leaking pond I assumed it was dead and gone.

It's amazing what rain and the pond at its correct depth can do for a plant.

We have been enjoying a heat spell. Temps are supposed to drop a bit today, but it is still spring...soon to be officially summer!

As always, stay safe and healthy, and thanks for stopping by............*s* 

Spring!

The yellow flags have started to bloom. We did not have many last year due to lack of rain and pond problems.  This year it looks like there will be tons.

The poppies have gone crazy.  The clump has gotten so big I want to transplant some.  I love the thought of poppies growing in the area we only mow once a summer.

 Meanwhile the grass is growing. Most of the 'lawn' flowers have finished blooming so there will be some mowing. I will stay inside with the windows closed for this operation.

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by...............*s*

Stupid Is As Stupid Does

LIVE AND LEARN!

Woke up this morning sneezing with raspy throat. First reaction, "OHNIGAWD, I've go Covid!"  Mind you I have not been out anywhere in over two weeks. And the few people I have seen have had shots and are clear.  Then remembered that I did tons of outdoor work yesterday, including weed eating edges where the mower can't go, without my mask! 

Took my various spring allergy meds and starting to feel better.  I seem to do this every spring.

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by..................*s*

Commercial Pots & Glaze

I glazed and fired one purchased pot last year. It worked out well so I am doing a bunch more this month.

These are glazed with Spectrum #799, Majolica White.  

The designs will not match as I may be trying some new stuff.  The great thing about using commercial pots that I have so little invested in them.

 Things are growing and blooming like crazy. Beautiful but pollen producing. May navy blue auto is green!

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by............*s*

Is It Mud?.......Or

 ........the start of something?

My birthday present to myself, among others, is a box of Tucker’s clay.  It’s a low fire terra cotta with Frit #3124, which, toes crossed, will be much like my gone but much loved Miller #25. The expense of shipping costs almost as much as the clay.  It may be better to make my own.

We’ll see,grasshopper.......we’ll see...........

Meanwhile it has been such a joy to walk into my sunroom and see that the plants that I over wintered are blooming. It's still a little chilly for them to go outside, but they do make me know that spring is truly coming.

The little chipmunk is a bonus visitor to the seeds I put out every morning.  They don't appear until it warms up a bit or the days get longer, or perhaps a combo of Bothe.

 It's lovely to be able to go out and work with just a sweatshirt on in this sunny but breezy day.

The hawks have been eyeing the fish pond. "That is food and if you are not going to eat it, we will!"  Net may be in order!

As always, stay safe, (I am now fully vaccinated.) and thanks for stopping by...........*s*