Experiments

Sourdough fail - 1st attempt

I spent most of the day in the kitchen yesterday working through the process that was supposed to yield two round loaves of sourdough bread. It was experiment; and, as I recall from high school Chemistry class, some experiments fail. This was one of those. Going back and reviewing all of the elements has led me to the conclusion that the starter isn't quite ripe enough, it didn't produce enough leavening. Back to the beginning. Mr. Goodneedle did compliment the flavor, that's something. But, the end result was supposed to be more like this ↓
and less like a pancake.I'm not giving up, oh, no! When I set my mind to something I will see it through. Let's hope that there's enough flour in the stores to supply my current forays into experimentation.

I don't usually share any customer quilts here but this one has kept me very, very busy and I'm pleased with the result; I wanted you to see it. This was a collection of hand embroideries. The owner wanted an all-over crosshatch for texture but didn't want the embroidered blocks to be lost behind thread. I proposed using a clear mono-filament on top with normal bobbin thread on the back. 

This took some time (what else do any of us have right now?) to accomplish, I'm not sure that I've ever done this much crosshatching on one quilt before; I must say, though, that the outcome is wonderful. If you've ever quilted with MonoPoly you know it's almost like quilting with a human hair, it's that fine. I shared the photo above in my last post, the crosshatching doesn't take away from the block's embroidery.

I loaded YAGOF* on the rails yesterday, this one will go much, much faster. I'm quilting Stars and Loops and should be able to knock this one out in a day and get the binding on. Fingers crossed. 

Early morning visitors, I count four here but it was a herd of six. Just on the edge of the woods beyond my perennial garden. I can't apply deer repellent spray until the wet weather clears, undoubtedly they're after my Hosta and thinking "would you please go inside, we're hungry!". 

Adapting in an upside-down 🙃world:  I'm so impressed to continue seeing creative and innovative ways that people are choosing to spend their quarantined time at home. It's times like these that really bring out the best in us; when we have to dig deeper, pull harder, and come up with solutions to problems or situations we wouldn't have dreamed of just a few short months ago. 

What else could have possibly driven me into the kitchen to perform experiments with simple ingredients that I happen to have on hand? Don't throw in the towel; hang in there-- I am!

"Since we have such a hope, we are very bold..." 2 Corinthians 3:12

Life is Good!

*You're A Grand Old Flag

Memory Making

A curious little boy, a rainy morning and a
children's science museum...
a winning combination.

Life is Good!

Do You Remember?

In case you didn't see 60 Minutes on Sunday night, Lesley Stahl presented this story; it was fascinating! Five individuals, including the actress Marilu Henner, were interviewed about their amazing ability to endlessly recall almost every day of their lives! This gift, termed 'Superior Autobiographical Memory', is being researched with truly surprising results; the scientists have only recently discovered the possible link between enlarged areas of the brain and this rare knack for recall. After watching this piece I admit to feeling sad when I think about how much I've forgotten! This blog will need to suffice as my external memory, at least until they invent a memory stick that works for human beings!

Life is Good!