Very Happy With My First Attempt At Sourdough Bread

 

After reading my fellow bloggers’ comments about failed attempts at sourdough bread, I started to worry.  I had to make some tweaks to get mine to work, but am ecstatic with the results.  I will just have to be careful not to overeat it.  It is very moist and extra sour, like what we used to get at the fancy restaurants in  San Francisco.  It was definitely worth the effort!

This was the starter that I used.  I picked up this envelope at one of the gift shops in port on my cruise to Alaska last year.  I made some mistakes in the recipe, but it still worked out.  I accidentally followed the bread recipe at first when making the starter.  This one uses yeast, which I think made it much easier.  

I kept it in my oven for thirty-six hours, and stirred it with a wooden spoon several times each day.

My dough didn’t quite double in size, so I let it rise for forty-five extra minutes, and turned the oven on to its lowest setting.  That did the trick.

I had to add more flour than I expected, and after the second rise my dough was quite sticky.  I turned off the oven after about ten minutes.  This recipe is kind of a hybrid of a vintage French bread recipe I used to make, and The New York Times’ No Knead Bread.  

I  dumped the sticky mound into my Le Crueset Dutch oven and baked it for fifteen minutes.  It was undercooked and had a wet spot in the middle, so I put it back in the oven, this time covering it with the lid.  

After many small changes, I had my loaf of sourdough bread.  It was a thrilling experience.  I hope my blogging friends can have an easier time with a recipe with yeast, and possibly a warmer environment.  Let me know how your baking is going.  What kind of bread do you like to buy or bake?

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Winter Chores and More Wildfires in California

 

Winter is a peaceful and gentle time at the cabin.  The dogs and I get up early, go outside, I give them peanut butter treats, feed them, and make an Italian stovetop cappuccino for myself.  We sit down by the fire to enjoy the sunrise.  Blankets and shawls are piled high to keep warm. 

The fireplace insert needs to be fed a few times during the night to keep the house warm.  I empty the can of ashes every few days.  There is snow on the ground, and more headed our way this weekend.  I have been stacking firewood  in preparation for the storm.  

The Hughes Fire in Castaic was an inferno twenty miles from the cottage.  I used to teach for the Santa Clarita Parks and Recreation at that location.  I have never seen such an enormous black cloud of smoke in the air.  One firefighter described it as, “Nuclear.”  Having a go bag is so important in these times.  If you leave right away, you can avoid traffic and chaos.  I am thankful to have a comfortable place to go.

How are things with you?  What are you making?  I am loving my knitting right now.  I am on the first sleeve of my Stockholm Sweater.  It is so soft, warm, and fluffy.  It is a divine pattern and project.  The yarn is exquisite.

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New Christmas Tree Curtains for the Cabin

 

I found these sweet lace curtains in Applewood Court, Wrightwood, last week.  I love the look of lace from the outside of a cabin.  It softens the edges.  I ended up exchanging the swags for valances.  Actually, I kept the valances and rehung them in the upstairs bedroom.  Since I have shades on those windows, I can still pull them down for privacy.

These are the old ones.  They may have been  here since the fifties!   Will wash them and save them, or donate them to a charity shop.  Isn’t the view spectacular?  Nothing like it…

The dogs are hogging the couch, as usual.  I bought a couple of Holiday throw pillows, too.  We are loving the fireplace insert.  It warms up the whole house.  There is something about sleeping at night under quilts and flannel sheets that is so comforting.  The heat rises and creeps upstairs.  

Are you staying warm this time of year?

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More Photos of Italia:Where We Stayed

 This is the front door to our home for the week.  The grounds were impeccable.  All of the staff cares deeply for this former hunting lodge.  They are very dedicated and conscientious people.

This is the library, where I would often sit in that flowered chair and recharge my mini iPad.  It was so relaxing.  There is nothing like staying in a real Italian home.

Just to the left of those geraniums is where we savored our marvelous meals.  Each one was enjoyed al fresco, except for the final evening, when it rained.  The flowers were carefully watered with a watering can by the groundskeeper each morning.

While the others were sleeping  I would take a walk through the village.  It was so green and unspoiled.  It felt like we were living life in another time.

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Do You Sleep Well?

 

One of the top difficulties that many seniors face is that they have trouble sleeping.  Before I had my hips replaced, I was one of those people.  I would dread going to bed, because I knew that the pain radiating down my legs would increase.  If someone or something woke me in the night, I would feel enraged, because it was so difficult to get back to sleep, or to get any sleep.  This sets up a vicious cycle.

Thankfully, I now fall quickly into a deep slumber after heading to bed.  It is such a relief to be pain free and to experience the peaceful, healing qualities of deep sleep. It is restorative and rejuvenating.

These fresh flowers are something I started splurging on in the last year.  I showcase them in  vintage crystal vases the previous owner left at the cabin..   I buy the bulbs from a local woman in Wrightwood.  I also grow tulips, daffodils. and irises of my own.  They are so lovely to enjoy while living life inside the cottage.

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A Well Built Home

 

Recently I have been watching some of the real estate and homesteading shows on Max.  It is fascinating to see how other people live.  The older I get, the more I appreciate having an older home, antiques, my mom’s vintage cookware, and the quality materials that were used.

Unlike many real estate agents in California, I prefer to restore, rather than remodel.  The cabin I own was built by a talented and disciplined man from Germany.  His two sons helped him.  You can see the love and care that went into this home.  They took pride in their work, and spent money on supplies that would last for decades.

With RV traveling becoming so popular, many people are living full time or part time in vehicles.  Myself, I put great value in residing in a physical house.  During a storm like the one we have experienced recently, it is reassuring to be in a solid and safe structure.  

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No Frills Grocery Stores Save Money in Retirement

 

The other day I realized that I needed to buy another package of butter before the upcoming rain and snow in California.  I also had run out of fresh cilantro.  I stopped by our local market.up  A box with  four cubes of Danish Creamery butter was priced at $8.99.  Cilantro was $1.79 a bunch.  I was glad that was all I needed.  You will pay much more for food in a resort town or village.  However, the convenience is excellent, especially when it’s snowing.

I do most of my shopping in the city  at Aldi.  I love the simplicity and low prices there. I stock up on necessities, and transport the food in reusable bags up to the cabin.  This week  I baked an apple crisp, reheated taco leftovers, and made rose hips tea with honey.  Making a family sized casserole, and enjoying single portions of it works for me.  It’s inexpensive, healthy and convenient.

The glamorous grocery stores in LA have Starbucks coffee shops, fancy displays, and everything you could possibly need.  You pay for all of that, though.  Shopping at the discount stores saves me nearly fifty percent.  Over time, this really adds up, since food to prepare at home is a need for all of us.

Where do you buy your groceries?

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The Importance of Relationships in Retirement

 

Once you have retired, you will have many relationships that make a huge difference in your stress level.  If you are staying in your home, you will need a reliable plumber, handyman, tree trimmer, electrician and house painter.  If you have developed a rapport with these people over the years, it will make things much easier.

Your car will still need repair, you may need a driver to take you to the airport, and a reliable pet sitter or boarding kennel is essential for dog and cat owners.  It can be difficult to find these people in smaller towns.  The best are usually booked.  If you are already an existing client, and the business owner likes working with you, it makes all the difference.

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When Women Get Sick at Holiday Time

 I was thinking recently that one of my favorite ballet teachers from England, (she danced with The Royal Ballet,) got sick every year during the Nutcracker.  No wonder, I thought.  There is so much for women to during the Holiday Season.

Yesterday I baked some orange squash that I had purchased last month.  I also broiled a marinated chuck steak from Aldi.   The bottom edge of the squash looked overly ripe, so I cut it off and composted it.  After cutting it in half, placing small pieces of butter on top, and sprinkling it with salt and black pepper, I baked it in the toaster oven for  about an hour.  I eagerly tasted it, and it was dreadful.  It was sour, in spite of the kitchen smelling heavenly.  I thought pumpkins and squash kept well. 

Unfortunately, I swallowed enough to make me violently ill.  I had forgotten what it’s like to throw up everything you have eaten.  Jacques sat next to me, gazing into the toilet bowl.  He was quiet and concerned.  He seemed pensive. He really is like a service dog, highly sensitive and always at my side.

Fortunately, once the supposedly special meal was all out of my system, I recovered very quickly.  It is so easy to take your health for granted.  Another one of my friends had to cancel her Thanksgiving dinner because she became ill.  Maybe we shouldn’t do so much as we get older.  

This afternoonI baked a batch of cranberry lemon scones, and I plan to knit the heel of my grey wool sock.  What are you up to today?

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Scones Baked at Home

 

Last week I studied several of Martha Stewarts's scone recipes, and chose one that uses dried cranberries.  The first one that I baked was disappointing.  It was dry and crumbly.  I almost threw out the rest of the dough, but I didn't want to waste it.

I stored the rest of the triangles in a glass container in the fridge  I baked one in the toaster oven each day.  They must have absorbed the heavy whipping cream over time, because they came out very moist and tasty.  I plan to make these regularly.

Are you doing any baking this week?

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Keeping Your Cottage Instead of Moving Into Assisted Living

 

Time and time again, seniors are encouraged to sell their homes, downsize, and move into assisted living.  Is this the right advice for you?  In my case, it isn't.  Not everyone has the personality to live in those types of situations.  You need to really like being in groups.  Some senior living homeowners  report problems with residents who drink too much, are inconsiderate, and won't follow the rules.  

My parents both spent their final days in their home. They owned a gorgeous Spanish style house that they had taken impeccable care of, restoring it lovingly and nurturing the vibrant garden.  They could afford help in their later years.  A housekeeper came every couple of weeks and took care of the cleaning.  My dad eventually hired a gardener to manage the front and backyard when he was in his early eighties.  He took care of all the plants until that time.  He was very proud of how lush and healthy the front and backyard looked.  

As a person who likes one on one time and privacy, I don't think I would feel comfortable in assisted living.  I like my privacy, spend much of my time on this porch, and I would miss my garden.  I love watching the alpacas frolic on the hillside, observing the bees and butterflies, and seeing the color of the sky shift and change at night.

 Each of the plants I picked out myself and planted.  The soil was clay when I bought the bungalow.  I amended it regularly with straw and compost over the years so that it would support the flowers, trees, herbs and wildlife.

Do you plan on moving in retirement, or will you stay where you are?

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Safe and Sound in California After Hurricane Hilary

 

Thank you for all the messages inquiring about my welfare after the recent storm in Southern California.  Fortunately, I had gone to the grocery store a couple days before it hit. I stocked up on dog food, fruit, vegetables, staples and supplies.  I am so glad that I did, because Highway 2 is now closed with four feet of mud piled high, and other damage from the wash.  It rained over twelve inches in 24 hours in Wrightwood!  It just was a constant downpour.  I have four spouts that drain from my upstairs balcony to the deck.  Through the sliding glass door it looked like a faucet was on all day.  

Fortunately, the cabin and land fared very well.  The man who built and designed it was from Germany, and a true master.  He really knew what he was doing.  I am so glad that I had the oaks and pines trimmed three weeks ago, as well as getting the cabin stained last year.  I had picked up all the spare branches in the yard, trimmed the lilacs, and carted all of the trash and green waste to the dump last week.   Preparation makes such a difference.

The cottage also withstood the storm.  Thank goodness LA County came to our street and did major flood control in the right of way last year.  The water flowed down our block to the storm drain into the wash, instead of pooling in my driveway and seeping under my front door, like it had done in the past.  I was so relieved to come home to dry carpet.  We had about six inches of rain down here.  The fruit trees look happy and healthy.

How about you? Have you experienced any extreme weather lately?  It sure helps having a stockpile, and staying up on home and yard maintenance. 

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Consider the Weather for Where You Plan to Retire

 

As I've gotten older, I have realized how important it is to live in an area where the temperatures are comfortable.  At my mountain cabin, I can avoid the sweltering heat that we experience in the desert areas.  Those soaring temperatures can make it difficult to live and to sleep.  Even with the air conditioning running, the heat is still brutal. Since up here I am within walking distance to the lake, I can cool off  with a swim in the water, and then stretch out on my towel to lay out in the sun.  The body relaxes in milder climates.

Although the winters up here are long and cold, I have the option to drive down to the cottage and enjoy a moderate winter without having to shovel snow or crank up the heat.  It is so nice to have alternatives.  Some  people choose to be snowbirds as they age.  In California, Palm Springs is a popular location  for those who want to escape the cold season.  They return to their residences in the early spring.

How is the weather where you live?

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A Peaceful Retirement

 

Yesterday as the clerk rang up my groceries at Trader Joe's, he asked me what I had planned for the day.  "Chores," I answered, cheerfully.  "Are you going to do anything fun?" he persisted.  I felt a little bit annoyed, as I was just there to shop, not to explain how and why I spend my time.

I had run the dogs along the Walkydog that morning.  The exercise was energizing for all of us, and I love the buzz of endorphins it brings.  So do my canines.  I told him that I was looking forward to making delicious meals with all of the items I had purchased.

I thought about the times when I was a dance teacher making barely enough money to make ends meet.  Grocery shopping in those days took careful planning, so I that didn't go over my small budget.  My mom used to tell me on the phone that she wished I didn't have to work so hard.  It was a difficult and strenuous time, but I got through it.  Sometimes she would slip me a gift card for groceries in the mail.  It was our secret.  I always appreciated it.

So, now that I'm retired, it is a relief to be able to relax at the market and be able to buy what I want.  I can splurge on blueberries, raspberries, popsicles, cookies, and candy.  There was a time when I only made my desserts from scratch, and bought all of the ingredients in bulk.  There were no extras: no vacations, meals out, new clothes, etc.  It was part of the sacrifice of being a dance teacher.  

Tight finances make life very tense.  The man behind the register didn't really understand all that, but your priorities change as you age.  I am happy sitting on my porch, gazing at my glorious garden, and reading an entertaining library book.  A happy and peaceful retirement is built over time.  It takes planning and preparation.

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A Spectacular Stay at the Simpson House Inn in Santa Barbara

 I just returned from a lovely one-night trip to Santa Barbara.  It's only ninety miles from my cottage, and is an easy trip.  There was very little traffic up the green and lush 126 and 101 freeways.  Upon arriving at the hotel, I was offered a glass of homemade lemonade and chocolate chip scones, (which were served with scrumptious clotted cream.)  The variety of teas was impressive.  I chose an herbal ginger blend.

This was the flagstone pathway to my room.  The artistic attention to detail is evident everywhere you look.   The plants and garden were in full bloom.   The Mediterranean climate in Santa Barbara is ideal for landscaping.

This was the view from my balcony.  A couple I met who were from Pasadena told me that they love to lay out on these lounge chairs and read.  The canopy of the mature oak trees provides protection and shade.   The comfortable and high-end lawn furniture made me feel like I was at home in a castle.

This was where I sat for breakfast this morning.  The velvety red roses, sterling silver sugar dish, crackling fire, and floral view made it just charming.  The food was superb: fresh berries and banana slices, homemade pastries, granola made in their kitchen, and a hot entree.  I just ordered spinach, since I don't eat eggs.  It was delightful.  The coffee was amazing!  I lit up after taking the first sip.  At the Simpson House Inn they do everything perfectly.  Be sure to call the hotel directly if you want to visit.  

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The Daffodils are in Bloom

 

Yesterday I dragged the hose up the mountain and watered the irises, tulips, daffodils, roses and herbs.  I fed the flowers some organic Tiger Bloom plant food, hoping to help them along from the snowy winter we experienced.  This morning I was pleasantly surprised to see the daffodils had sprung open and were vibrantly colored.  Plants are so responsive to care.

I charged the weed whacker and got a head start on the grassy areas, before they become overgrown.  My machine uses an electric cartridge.  The power lasts about forty-five minutes.  I will continue to work the land in pieces until the weeding is finished.  

It's thrilling and rewarding to see the first flowers of the season.  Spring is really here.  The birds have been zooming around in pairs.  The juveniles are taking dust baths and building nests.  They seem excited and energetic.  The robins have been eating worms and bugs from the soil.  I get the sense that they feel safe and secure here, with all of the trees, food, and shelter.  

How was your weekend?

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Watching The Sunrise

One of my favorite rituals is to sit by the window each morning, sip a mug of coffee, and watch the sunrise.  It is steady, reliable, and the colors of the sky are always different.  The backdrop of mountains and trees make it even more beautiful.  I enjoy the discipline of rising before dawn.  Before heading upstairs to bed at night, I set up the copper tea kettle, French press, and grind the coffee beans.  I add cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg and cloves to the grounds.  

What's your coffee or tea ritual?

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Lessons From My Neighbors

 Yesterday I took my Burley Travoy Bike Trailer/Grocery Cart into town, on foot.  I ran into my neighbor and her sister on my way home.  They stood on their porch and we discussed all that we had learned from this blizzard.  Although I saw in the forecast that we would receive at least five feet of snow, I didn't factor in the berm from the snowplow driving down our street.  That made it so much higher.  It was also extremely wide. 

It took us eight days to completely dig out our cars.  That was working several hours a day.  I learned to stop at a set time in the afternoon, take a bath, and rest.  I got in my pajamas early, after taking a hot bath.  You need extra sleep and more carbs when you are shoveling snow all day.

You need to be very strong and fit to survive these types of circumstances.  Several people up in Crestline died.  I knew that was going to happen.  Their situation was far worse.  I think it's wise to practice for emergencies.  You learn where your weak spots are, and what to change for the next time.  

I plan to buy a Jackery battery, store far more firewood inside and on my porch, and keep at least a month's worth of food in the stockpile.  Now I understand why The Red Cross recommends storing canned and dried goods.  I ate several Spam and cheese quesadillas that week.  They tasted amazing.

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Getting Back to Normal in the California Mountains

 The past few days have been a huge relief.  The blizzard finally ended.    This photo above shows how our cars were buried.   After digging mine out, and the huge pile of berm in front of it, I drove into town.  I picked up some dry firewood, fresh fruit, and other staples.  

Today I felt a huge shift.  The roads are plowed, the snow is melting, and I no longer had to shovel for several hours a day.  I finished clearing the deck yesterday, and still need to get the snow off of the upstairs balcony.  At this point, I can't open the screen door, the snow is now up to my waist.  It was at my head's level, initially.

 Yesterday morning I drove down the mountain and deposited my heavy black trash bag at our local dump.  It's the little things that you really appreciate when you have been snowed in at your cabin.  I bought a huge bag of dog food, and some small Lindt chocolate eggs.  What a relief to see our cars again.  I came home and took a luxurious sauna and enjoyed a movie before bed.

How are things with you?

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Supplies Are Critical During a Blizzard

 

This is my front yard.  My neighbor took some photos for me from her porch.  The snow in front of our cars is now up to our heads, since the snowplow passed.  Most of us spent hours the past few days, shoveling.  We are expecting more snow today and tomorrow.  

I did many things right before this storm, and some things wrong.  I wish I had brought is four or five times as much firewood.  I had a delivery dropped the day it started snowing, but that wood is not fully seasoned.  My original woodpile is quite far from the cabin, for fire safety.  Some of the chunks I bought for the fireplace are to large to squeeze into the fireplace insert.  I will have to split them with a log splitter.  

I have plenty of food, and am very glad that I stocked up on things like canned meat and chicken, tuna, pasta, soup, and coffee.  The dogs have a strong supply of kibble and dog biscuits.  They don't understand why we aren't going for walks, and the bones I boiled for them caused them both to have accidents in the house in the middle of the night.  So, in addition to all the shoveling, there has been time spent cleaning up their indoor poop and urination.  

It helps to wash your hair, take a bath, and practice self-care.  We are fortunate to have power, cell phone service, and Internet.  I wish I had stored my tire chains and emergency food supply in the house, and not in my car.  It took me hours to shovel my way up there, and the car was buried in snow.  

It is so important to prepare for emergencies to the best of your ability.  Life is much calmer and you feel more stable when you can hunker down at home in a storm.  

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