THE FINISHED PRODUCT

Because of the three long rising processes, this loaf of bread was nearly an all day project. I had used mostly whole wheat flour in the starter, so that slowed it down too. And the fact that I chose to make the starter as a purist would and not 'cheat' by putting a little dry yeast into the mixture. Also, I misread the bread recipe and added 4 tablespoons of sugar instead of the 4 teaspoons the recipe called for. It was okay, I guess, but really pretty tasteless. Blah. It was heavy, too, and didn't have a sourdough flavor. I kept thinking that I could have made my regular yeast bread recipe that I always used and be done faster and have great tasting bread... But I am going to keep with this starter for awhile, and see if it improves.

In garden news, Shabree and I will be cutting the first batch of mesclun tomorrow. It could have been cut before now, but I let it grow a little longer. The chickens are doing a great job in their chicken tractor. Shabree and I moved it again today. I'm wondering if they are doing such a great job in clearing out garden weeds because they don't like the pellets I got them last time for feed. If they don't start eating them better by the time this (not so) small bag is done, I guess I'll go back to the other kind. After they clear this new patch where their tractor is, I will be moving them to smaller chicken tractors (one for each hen) and putting them between rows and in tighter spaces.

SOURDOUGH BREAD STARTER

I was reading a discussion on a website this morning about sourdough starters and that seemed like a good idea to make. So here it is on day one. I just googled to find how to do it, but then added a tablespoon of plain yogurt to it, when someone mentioned that they heard that was something you could do, too. I hope it turns out well.

The April Buy Nothing Challange has kind of fallen by the wayside for me. I really don't buy much anyway. Or at least I'm not at the moment. It did help me forgo that impulse buy off of the internet, that I have since realized I don't want, anyway. Mostly, I just buy simple groceries, and eat out with friends a couple of times a week. With the kids all grown and gone, I don't have many child-related purchases at all. If I have to go to the store when any of them are with me, I usually get them something, but that hasn't happened in quite a while. But the challange has made me think about finding a solution near at hand before being quick about going to the store to get something that I need.

Once again, I am attempting to declutter around here. I did completely dig out the counter between the stove and the sink, and the space acquired was amazing. But that was the easier side. Now I need to do the same on the other side of the kitchen - the bar and counter on the other side of the sink. I have been picking away at it a little bit, but I need to just be bold and drag it all off at once. *shudder*