Saturday stuff...

Well, that Sticky Ginger Loaf is out of the oven and boy does it smell good!  It made a very big loaf (I used my bread tin)....

Waiting for it to cool was cruel!

I got some loads of washing done.  This is how I've dried most of our clothes over winter since I lost my outdoor, under the pergola line.  Hanging Gus's business clothes on hangers means they go straight into the wardrobe and get a quick iron if needed when he wears them.  I don't have an ironing basket.

Time to test the loaf. It sure tasted delicious but I think I must have slightly overbaked as it wasn't really sticky. Yummy!

When the ginger loaf came out, I had a loaf of bread ready to go back into the tin...

As you can see, it turned out perfectly! I just love this recipe!

Here is the recipe for Chadd's Bread  

I use my stand mixer but you can just as easily mix it by hand - add in the yeast, water and sugar, stir and let it stand for 5 minutes.  The yeast should start to activate.
Dump in the flour, salt, bread improver and olive oil - using the dough hook, knead for 5 minutes until nice and smooth.
Turn out into a greased bowl and let rise, covered,  in a warm place for 1 hour until well risen.
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Turn out the risen dough onto a floured surface and gently knead it, ever so slightly, just a few turns.    Shape into a oblong loaf and place in a lined tin or like I usually do, weigh the dough and divide into 12 and make bread rolls. 
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Let the dough rise a second time for 45 minutes (with 10 minutes to go, get your oven heating to about 210C).
I baked this loaf for 20 minutes then turned it around, then aa further 20 minutes.  It should sound nice and hollow when you tap it.
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This is such an easy recipe and can be adapted to use wholemeal or other flour and you can add in seeds like chia, pepitas, flaxseed etc or add spice and fruit...the possibilities are endless!
I have also made foccacia using this mix.

 

See the reflection on the wall?

It is from that mosaic tile that has mirrors in it.  Look at my poor pot plants.  The geranium is still going but the other two pots are growing thriving weeds! 🙄

Later in the afternoon, Gus lit up our scrap wood pile.  It's about the last chance we'll get before fire ban season starts in October.  Our council laws won't let us burn on a Sunday, which to me, is stupid!  Sunday arvo is the perfect time for a paddock fire!

Here, I am standing at the back fenceline of our 2.5 acre block.  I rarely come over into the back acre or so, but it really is quite a lovely space.

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This is the rough pile he wanted to burn...

Gus got one bit burning but it took ages to get the other sides alight...

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Past that fence is into the neighbours block...

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Our bit of Aussie bush!

I was careful not to sit out in the cold for too long.  A brandy and ginger beer kept me warm!

A cracker of a fire! 🔥

Time to head inside to get dinner ready.  We let it burn out....

Cheers - Joolz xx