Rustic yeasted sour dough loaf...

The dough hadn't changed much since last night but was very active.

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I plopped it out onto the floured baking sheet and gave it a gentle knead, bringing the top into the middle, half turn then repeat.

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I floured the top...

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...then plo ked it over onto a clean, well floured tea towel.  This now sits for 30 minutes while my LeCreuset dutch oven heats up in the oven to 230C.

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I put a piece of kitchen paper in the pan to guard againt sticking...

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This is after 30 minutes with the lid on...

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...and after another 15 minutes with the lid off, reduced to 200C.

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Perfect!  I can't wait to have this as camp toast when we go camping later this weekend.

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I just had to try a piece - I'm very happy with it. Really good flavour!

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Cheers - Joolz xx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rustic yeasted loaf...

I've mixed this up and will bake it tomorrow...

I'm sure I'll have more luck with this recipe.  I replaced 100gms of the plain flour with wholemeal flour and added a touch more water...

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Here's where I made it last time ...

http://simplyjoolz.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/rustic-yeasted-loaf.html?m=1
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Update: Here it is after 5 hours at 6pm.

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Cheers - Joolz xx
 

 

Starter stopped!

Day 4 Friday 30/10/15

I'm sorry, but this duck is dead in the water!  This is the starter from yesterday after I fed it...

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...and this is it today. No action at all!

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It resembles 4 day old pancake mix but there is not a bubble to be found And it smells off (and I guess active sour dough starter does too!).  I will give another batch a go next week but in the mean time, I'll be preparing and making an artisan loaf later tonight, for tomorrow.

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Cheers - Joolz xx

 
 
 

Purging the old...

I put this dresser and side table on our local Facebook Buy, Swap and Sell site and sold it in 4 minutes. 

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I also showed the buyer Bri's purple furniture and he later said he'd take that too so that will go on Saturday.

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The mess is doing my head in - believe me, this is not how I like my house to be!

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Look!  The bedside tables are multiplying!  Gus knocked another one over last night - I hope he does another one tonight. It's getting easier each time!

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my McLeod's Daughters roses...

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Another lovely sunny day here, pity I'm off to work!

Cheers - Joolz xx

 
 
 

 

 
 

Slow starter...

A quick peek at 6.30am shows a few bubbles..

Day 3 - Thursday 29/10/15

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I gave it a good stir...waited...more bubbles came to the top...

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I added 50gms plain flour and 75mls water...

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See, bubbles!  We might have a live starter!  If not, I have an overnight yeast bread recipe I will make Friday night for baking on Saturday morning.

 http://simplyjoolz.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/rustic-yeasted-loaf.html

Cheers - Joolz xx

Garden glory and Ikea activity...

My favourite shade of pink, I think!

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I do love a yellow rose too.  This is just a carpet rose...

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Beautiful McLeod's Daughters rose...

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Trying to healthy and cut out bread at lunch time.  This is an oat wrap with turkey, cranberry and salad...

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Gus got home early last night and got stuck into the Ikea furniture. It's a lot easier to work at this height than on the floor like he did when he built all the girls furniture in Adelaide.  Labelled bowls hold all the nails, screws and dowel for each section to be made. No spare parts leftover!

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Tah dah! One down, three to go plus two chests of drawers! 

These products are extremely well manufactured out of good solid pine. Not a rough splintery piece among it and it came together perfectly.  The white stain finish is blemish free and I think great value for $149...

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Cheers - Joolz xx

 

 

 

Slow start to the starter...

Day 2 - Wednesday 28/10/15

Things did not look good this morning...

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I wasn't expecting things to be frothing this morning but gee, it seems dead as a door nail! 

I gave it a stir...lots of lumps...

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...this time I added 50gms wholemeal plain flour and about 75 mls water.

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Now lets see what happens in the next 24 hours.

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Joolz xx

Starting a sour dough starter...

Disclaimer:  This is not a tutorial, it is an experiment!

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Day 1 - Tuesday 27/10/15

I have put 50gms plain flour and 50mls water into a bowl...

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Mixed it...

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Now lets see what happens at 9am tomorrow...when I need to feed it.

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Joolz xx

Hot and saucy steaks ...

Sick of boring steak, straight off the grill? Give this easy sauce a go!

Apologies for the messy plating, I couldn't wait to dig in!

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http://www.mouthsofmums.com.au/recipe/hot-and-saucy-steak-recipe/
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I just make the sauce in a pan and Gus cooks the steak on a griddle pan on our stove. So easy and delicious!

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Cheers - Joolz xx
 

Bedroom makeovers...

We have two brand new queen bed ensembles coming.  We chose this chest of drawers for both bedrooms. Keeping it simple with just that...

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...and two bedside tables either side of the ensemble bed.  No bedhead at this stage. Each room has built-in wardrobes.

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Brianna's room will be mint green with a pop of pale coral.  Nice and cool and neutral.

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Kirby chose a white waffle doona cover, dark charcoal quilted European pillows, piped with peach and the pale peach inksplotch cushion.  More colour can be added with another coloured cushion.

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We bought all of this...

Queen Mint quilt cover/2 pillowcases

Queen White waffle quilt cover/2 pillowcases

Coral cushion

Inksplotch cushion

2 mint European cushion covers

2 charcoal European cushion covers

...for $327.00.   Quite a bargian as Kirby's quilt cover alone was originally $200 down to just $60!

I also bought 2 x Queen white sheet sets from Target - $59 each.  I have these sheets on our bed and they are large and generous.  Nothing worse than sheets that don't fit the mattress or tuck in with enough width each side.

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So, as I said, now I just need Gus to make the furniture up!  And of course, he has so much spare time on his hands!  Completion date - January!

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Joolz xx