Don't worry -- we will get to what I call "the reasonably clean house" eventually! Spoiler alert: no one can clean all day, but you can manage things so the disaster is rather contained.
You'd be surprised how making one thing pretty helps with the overall feeling of disaster, though...
I love the idea of “inoculation “ against future difficulties through the beauty of the home! It’s such a simple thing (not necessarily easy, but simple), and it can have such a profound impact on the children. Not to mention, the little slice of sanity it brings the mom to just get *one* thing nicely set up amidst the chaos 😊
I also like to get my girls involved in beautifying the table and I’ve noticed one in particular really loves to put little flourishes and special touches to the table (eg little wildflowers at each setting from our yard, an illustrated scrap of paper with our name on it, a pretty little bead at each place). It’s so sweet!
I have also subsequently redone the hardware on the hutch to be more brass-like (using rub n' buff) but I guess I have only posted about that in my IG stories! I'll have to record it for the blog!
Thanks! As for the bread - I ate some of the inside and it was dense and chewy but honestly pretty delicious especially in light of most of my other attempts at baking anything. The crust wasn't bad either but I gave the rest to the dog (who politely declined). I think my downfall was that the sourdough starter seemed ready but I moved it from a warmer spot to my kitchen counter about 24 hours prior to cooking. I think that slowed things down considerably...will try again next week!
When your starter has *just* domed after rising to about twice the previous volume, put it in the fridge. Don't let it collapse. If it does, feed it again (in a 1 part starter: 1 part flour: 2/3 part water ratio) and let it rise juuuuust to the point that it's a bit bubbly and domed.
If that gives you a big quantity, just make some pancakes or waffles to reduce back to about 1 cup.
When you try bread again, use 3/4 cup of starter and be sure to put it in a warm spot! Let it rise completely but not collapse or get to look like the surface is losing its integrity, but just feels soft yet firm like a newborn's bottom!
Then gently shape. Don't press hard or handle roughly! After an hour, or long enough for it to regain a "full" look and rise almost double, bake!
Making the dining room table lovely (and with flowers!) was one of the things that kept me sane during the covid lockdowns, and it brought joy and peace to our home!
This type of thing feel extra hard and unworthy when you pick up all day and your house still looks like a disaster
Don't worry -- we will get to what I call "the reasonably clean house" eventually! Spoiler alert: no one can clean all day, but you can manage things so the disaster is rather contained.
You'd be surprised how making one thing pretty helps with the overall feeling of disaster, though...
I encourage you to read the post I linked to!
In the meantime, be at peace! You're not alone!!
I love the idea of “inoculation “ against future difficulties through the beauty of the home! It’s such a simple thing (not necessarily easy, but simple), and it can have such a profound impact on the children. Not to mention, the little slice of sanity it brings the mom to just get *one* thing nicely set up amidst the chaos 😊
I also like to get my girls involved in beautifying the table and I’ve noticed one in particular really loves to put little flourishes and special touches to the table (eg little wildflowers at each setting from our yard, an illustrated scrap of paper with our name on it, a pretty little bead at each place). It’s so sweet!
Well, the dough is not rising but I'll bake it anyway. Would love to learn how you choose paint for your walls - original, fresh, yet gentle.
uh oh -- let me know what happens to the bread!
Thank you -- I posted about the dining room here, with the paint color mentioned (scroll way down) https://likemotherlikedaughter.org/2015/08/in-which-i-reveal-the-dining-room-without-too-many-excuses-but-with-some/
Here it is with the befores and afters of the old furniture and the new (old) hutch that was a great FBMP find (and of course the kitchen is new as well, as we redid it last year, so the walls are not yellow -- but the cabinets are): https://likemotherlikedaughter.org/2024/02/the-easiest-and-best-way-to-make-sweet-potatoes-chit-chat-links/
I have also subsequently redone the hardware on the hutch to be more brass-like (using rub n' buff) but I guess I have only posted about that in my IG stories! I'll have to record it for the blog!
Thanks! As for the bread - I ate some of the inside and it was dense and chewy but honestly pretty delicious especially in light of most of my other attempts at baking anything. The crust wasn't bad either but I gave the rest to the dog (who politely declined). I think my downfall was that the sourdough starter seemed ready but I moved it from a warmer spot to my kitchen counter about 24 hours prior to cooking. I think that slowed things down considerably...will try again next week!
When your starter has *just* domed after rising to about twice the previous volume, put it in the fridge. Don't let it collapse. If it does, feed it again (in a 1 part starter: 1 part flour: 2/3 part water ratio) and let it rise juuuuust to the point that it's a bit bubbly and domed.
If that gives you a big quantity, just make some pancakes or waffles to reduce back to about 1 cup.
When you try bread again, use 3/4 cup of starter and be sure to put it in a warm spot! Let it rise completely but not collapse or get to look like the surface is losing its integrity, but just feels soft yet firm like a newborn's bottom!
Then gently shape. Don't press hard or handle roughly! After an hour, or long enough for it to regain a "full" look and rise almost double, bake!
Thank you!!
Making the dining room table lovely (and with flowers!) was one of the things that kept me sane during the covid lockdowns, and it brought joy and peace to our home!
I needed that reminder today as my grown sons are coming for supper, to make things special.
I made two loaves of sandwich bread today. They came out great. 😊