Hey, it’s warm in there! I smell food! Hey Mort, check this out!
Mmmm! I want in on that action.
So, here’s the plan……
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All posts for the month December, 2012
Shuffling about in my cozy pajamas while I bake, oh so aromatic, garlic sourdough, the guilt is almost overwhelming. My poor girls are not so sure they like this cold white stuff. They certainly are protesting though, the nesting boxes are sparse.
So, my son was never one to buy into the tooth fairy or Santa or the Easter bunny. While some of it was certainly our doing as painfully open and honest parents(some would say to a fault), much of his skepticism stems from who he is and how his mind works. In many ways it was serendipitous that we didn’t engage in the bizarre practice of telling our child that some strange creature comes into your room at night and takes your tooth from under your pillow.
Being a child with non-verbal learning disorder, his world is exceedingly literal. It is better as he is older now but , as younger boy a simple expression like “I’m on the phone” led him to picture you standing on the phone. Couple this with a fertile mind rich in science and history (biographies are his favorite, yawn!) and the idea of some fat man sliding down our chimney with a huge sack of gifts after having traversed the whole world in a sleigh pulled by reindeer carrying a paper list of all the children who’ve been naughty and nice in one night would only afford us a besmirching “Get real!”. Had we tried to pull this off when he was younger, he would have been in the basement with a flashlight measuring the internal chamber, processing the tiny clean out door, studying the pitch and slip factor of our metal roof, calculating exactly how long of a piece of paper was needed for all the children in the world, googling flying animals, calculating time and distance to visit every house in the world and what about Jewish children? I am ever so thankful that we did not attempt to bring these fictitious characters into our traditions. The barrage of questions alone would have dampened any festivities. Can you imagine the research to explain just how it is that a rabbit carries that many baskets? Rabbits don’t even have thumbs!
So, how it is that we have brought these traditions into our home is largely through humor with a huge dose of social studies. Being the history buff that he is, we shared with him the many folklores, fables and religious beliefs that lead to the evolution of these characters. Armed with an arsenal of answers, he can now integrate the concept of these characters as a form of storytelling in a sense.
This brings me back to the tooth fairy. Firstly, I cannot believe he is still losing teeth at ten. When does that end? So, he lost a molar two nights ago or rather stayed up until 11 wiggling and yanking at that thing until it relinquished it’s hold. He then wrapped it in at least 20 tissues and stuffed under his pillow. Now remember, he knows full well that the tooth fairy will have know idea that there is a tooth is under his pillow. So, he tromps into our room, singing a revelry as always, pokes me and says “The tooth fairy has some work to do. Hint! Hint!” I mumble and fall back to sleep. Disappointed in the morning, he asks “What happened to the tooth fairy?” To which, I smack my forehead and promise she will be on duty the next night. He smiles and gives me an understanding bump in the arm.
Night two: I forgot. We wake up at 2:30 am to doors banging downstairs. What the…? A bit petrified, my partner descends to investigate. I am still in a fog. It’s our son out in the freezing rain rummaging through cars for money. “What are you doing?” I hear. “Getting my own damn five bucks and wrapping a damn ribbon around it and putting it under my own damn pillow! Stupid tooth fairy!”
This is why the tooth fairy (that would be me) is a moron !
Wish you could smell this. Fresh sesame sourdough from our family pet seth the starter. My son and I grew Seth about a year and a half ago. We feed him weekly by removing one cup of the starter and baking bread, muffins (so moist), pretzels and even the occasional dog treat.
This is Seth. He lives in our fridge.
Seth has sired two new starters for friends, Beth and Macbeth.
The recipe for sourdough bread:
Don’t panic and no hurry. The dough will happily wait for you.
1c starter
1.5c water
3c flour
Mix.
You have just created a sponge. Let it sit and grow. About 6 hours. If in six hours the dog decides to barf on the rug, the sponge will wait. Too tired? Throw it in the fridge.
When your ready, add:
2 Tbsp kosher salt
Up to 3 cups of bread flour
I say up to 3 cups because some days you need more and some days less. I add at least the first cup and a half and dump the whole sloppy mess on a floured counter. Start to knead (with floured hands). Add flour as needed. When the dough is silky and resistant, meaning I can slap it (It’s not often I get to slap something and I have to admit sometimes I get carried away. ) and it bounces back then smack the dough into an oiled bowl and let it rise. It can rise for a few hours or, again, if it’s inconvenient stick in the fridge and slow it down until your ready. Let it come back to room temp. for the next step. Dump out the dough onto a floured counter and resist the urge to slap and knead again. Gently divide it and shape into two loaves or bake as one biggie, four minis. Whatever you desire. It is your bread to do what you please. Be sure to tuck the seams under. Leave plain or baste with egg yolk and sprinkle with your favorite topping. Then cover the dough with a tea towel. Turn oven to 475 and add a pan of water to it. Let the dough rise an hour or so. This is when you need to be available. When ready, slice the top (deeper than you think) and transfer (with floured hands) to pizza stone or baking sheet and bake for about a half an hour. Maybe more. I never set the timer. I am always so amazed by the explosion of rising bread in my oven that I am peeking in the window constantly. When the top browns nicely give it a tap. Sound hollow? It’s done. Now you can smell what I am smelling at home. Yeasty goodness. Cool on wire rack but resist the urge to slice too soon. You will squish all those lovely air pockets you work so hard to create. A little butter, maybe some honey and mmmmmm. Could it be better than….?
Jersey and Jo love sourdough treats.
My sons advent calendar. 24 felted balls stuffed with little goodies.
Where have I been? While I have been ignoring my own post, I assure you I am diligently reading others. (getting a foot bath from my dog)
Yes he is ugly! But his personality makes him cute.
It seems as though the moment my art classes in the hayloft were over I stopped writing. Rest assured, thing are still happening. Pipes are in for a wood stove (classes all year!:)) but I am stuck on the hearth. Since it is an old stove the building inspector is being a stickler. Rightfully so, but still.
I fall into wreath and crafts mode at this time of year. Extra$$.
Felted earrings
Felted surprise balls for stocking. Visit my shop at etsy
Hayloft is hoping to have classes over vacation week with our new wood stove to keep us cozy. Stay tuned!
Ugly dog just farted and sniffed his butt in confusion and delight.
