Two loaves of no-knead sourdough
Mixed: 9:30 pm
Molded: 10:15 am next day
Baked: 12:45 pm
Gave to neighbor over the hedge
I knew when my young son was given the shiny yellow motorcycle, that he wouldn’t possess it for long. The railing on the balcony looked too enticing and I’d seen toy after toy, rock after rock, ball after ball zoom over barriers: hedges, fences, rock walls, anything that had another side.
He was not quite two, and he held the toy for maybe three seconds, then whiiiizzzz it went over the balcony of the giant cruise boat, into the super deep blue of the Pacific.
So yesterday I wasn’t surprised to find John Ronan throwing several of his beach toys over the ten foot hedge that borders our neighbors. Buckets, shovels (large shovels!), sifters, rakes… they all made their way up and over while I was cleaning indoors. Our neighbor doesn’t like this. Even if my son is cute, and willingly says he is sorry; this passion of his is getting old.
Since he was just a baby one of his favorite activities is seeing things destroyed or launched abroad. How many times have I built an amazing block tower or marble track to only appreciate it for a millisecond before it tumbles to the ground? I’m not always sure what to do with this love of his–we try to curtail the destructive part, but even when we play catch he prefers to whip the ball full speed off into the distance than to aim with accuracy at his fellow player.
My weekly beach days are not just to appreciate the beauty of the water and the feel of the sand on my feet, but to allow my little fellow to get in some good throwing time…
Anyway, I asked his help as I made the bread today–letting our future pitcher know that it’s time to do something constructive for our nice and patient neighbors… He sort of helped, but better than that he was more than willing to write a card, and come with me to deliver the bread. I quote-he dictated…
Dear Bob and Georgie:
I am sorry I threw the stuff. I hope you like the bread. I will not ever throw anything over the hedge again.
🙂
The Woman and the Wheat 
I never had one that was a thrower, but I did have one who was a scribbler. She scribbled on walls and furniture and her father’s car. Not a happy moment.
Loved the note – that is so precious.
I raised two boys and now have three grandsons. I am reliving those days of building the block towers and marble tracks only to have them destroyed almost immediately. I came to the conclusion that boys are born scientists. They just can’t BE. They have to see action and reaction. They must always be thinking, “What would happen if….?” It’s a God-given curiousity that should not be snuffed, but yes, it has to be curbed and given discipline or their dare devil capacity for excitement will take over.
I loved the story and I love the pictures.
I would love to know more about how you work that sourdough starter into all of your loaves.
Thanks.
Gina:
I’m hoping to get to a real post about starter soon… but until then, I keep a starter (really two of them, one from my family’s bakery and one from the brewer) alive in my fridge by adding water and flour to it every so often. (Don’t leave it for more than two weeks without refreshing it…)
Making an authentic loaf of sourdough bread is no easy task. I don’t usually take the time to make sourdough–it’s a 24 hour deal and I’m still not good at it.
The no-knead recipe, on the other hand, that I blogged about a while ago, is quite easy, and I use my sour starter to make a fair loaf of sourdough. Sometimes I will add in a few grains of yeast, and some days I won’t.
However, I do put sour starter into most of my loaves (just not the sweet dough ones) to add flavor and texture. I simply dip a measuring cup into the starter, which I keep quite gooey, and plop it into the dough when I’m mixing it. Typically I use between 1/4 cup or a 1/3, I really don’t bother measuring… Because it’s gooey, I adjust the amount of water a bit.
Hope that helps. Ask away if you have any other questions or if I’ve confused you completely!
With four boys, I understand the throwing over the fence stuff. Very sweet post.
I have a thrower! He is 2 1/2. Our sweet neighbors next door have two little girls that are 4 and 2. When Jacob throws stuff over their wall, shovels, rakes, balls, umbrellas, trucks, sticks… The 4 year old shakes her head and says “oh Jacob…” 🙂
Caitlin, I took John Ronan to the beach today to get out some energy and toss rocks. Wish you and your little Jacob could have joined us! Maybe we should start a regional Orthodox baseball team 🙂
My friend Sara does the same thing with her son, D. I wish we had water that close by, throwing rocks into water would be a great relief! I think a regional Orthodox baseball team is a grand Idea 🙂 I’ve got a pitcher, or a center fielder, taking a nap right now. Happy Friday!
Jane, you made me smile. Sweet John Ronan, full of joy and surprises. He is such a delightful boy. I loved his note to the neighbor. 🙂
Missing you and hoping we can do some beach days together with our kiddos this summer. Maybe we can make a list of all the SB beaches and get to each one.
Hugs, Carla
I’m giggling – how sweet of you to make bread for the neighbors!