food

Loaves, Love Boats, and Laughter

Yesterday started the way most of my days do—quiet, steady, and with a little anticipation in the air. I baked the blueberry cream cheese loaf first thing, and by the time my in-laws arrived from their hotel for the day, it was sitting pretty on the counter, ready for admiration. There’s something so satisfying about seeing an experimental bake turn out beautifully, especially when it’s ready just in time to share with family.

Amid the bustle, I also got a new batch of yogurt going in the Instant Pot—and this time, everything went perfectly. After the last batch’s hiccup, it was such a relief to see it all come together smoothly.

The day unfolded with the easy rhythm of good company. We went out for sushi—just the four of us—for a rare adults-only lunch. My husband and his dad shared a sushi and sashimi love boat for two, and I’m still smiling at the memory of their delighted giggles.

After lunch, we wandered through Trader Joe’s and picked up a few snacks. We returned home just in time for the younger kids to barrel in after school, which always brings a special kind of chaos when grandparents are in the house. Joyful noise, wild energy, and a lot of excitement.

Later in the afternoon, my husband and mother-in-law took the littles to a school event, giving me a rare moment of calm with my father-in-law. A storm rolled in, and we sat together talking while I crocheted, a glass of wine in hand.

When everyone got home, we were right back to joyful chaos until bedtime—kids buzzing with energy, the grownups laughing at the sheer volume of it all. By the end of the day, we were all tired in the best way, full of good food, connection, and the kind of happiness that sneaks up on you.

We went to bed happy. And that’s all I could ask for.

Bread Bags, Bargains, and Bubbe

Yesterday morning started off with a bit of a whirlwind. I had every intention of prepping two loaves of bread before things got moving, but life (and flour) had other plans. I mis-measured one batch—lesson learned: don’t try to mix dough and wrangle kids at the same time, especially when switching to a new bag of flour! That said, the one loaf I did manage to prepare was a special one—it was my first loaf with inclusions: blueberry and cream cheese! It felt like such a fun and delicious experiment, and I couldn’t wait to see how it would turn out.

I took a moment to order some new bread bags—something I’ve been meaning to do for a while—and then headed out for a 10 a.m. dentist appointment. Just a quick fitting for a new night guard, but it felt good to check that off the list. On the way home, my husband and I made a little detour to Goodwill, where I scored the softest cashmere sweater in my size… for only $7.49. That kind of find feels like magic.

Back at home, while my husband made a fresh batch of ice cream, I worked on designing labels for my baked goods to make sure they’re in line with our local cottage food laws. I’m honestly thrilled with how they turned out—something about putting a label on my bread makes it feel official in the best way.

He took his turn at the dentist next, and I did a light kitchen cleanup before finally sitting down for a bit of crochet time. The new bread bags arrived in the afternoon, and I wasted no time packaging up the day’s bake, adding a beautiful new label, and standing back to admire the result. It felt like a small business milestone.

Later, my husband and I made dinner together, and just as we finished, his parents arrived! The younger kids exploded with excitement, as they always do when their grandparents walk through the door. It’s so sweet watching that joy unfold in real time.

I wrapped up the evening by helping my oldest with a couple of chores before heading to bed, heart full and feet tired. I’m really looking forward to spending the day with my in-laws again today. There’s nothing quite like having the house full of family.

Rainy Rhythms and Warm Connections

Yesterday was the kind of rainy day that makes you want to curl up with something warm—and thankfully, there was plenty of that to go around. I eased into the day with my usual morning routine, cozy and slow, and noticed something that made me smile: a few of my sprouts had pushed up their first leaves.

I had a therapy session in the morning, though I’ll admit it was a bit disrupted by baking—my timing could definitely use some work! Still, it was grounding to talk things through and check in with myself. The loaf itself turned out beautifully (with a lot of help from my new bread sling!), though my scoring could use some work.

After knocking out a few chores, I headed to a friend’s house for a lovely little visit. We enjoyed homemade baked goods, shared some tea, and even worked on our crochet projects together.

Once I got back home, it was back to the rhythm of the house. Someone stopped by to pick up the grill we’d offered on our local Buy Nothing page, and then another neighbor came by to pick up the loaf of sourdough I’d baked—part of a little exchange for an honest critique. I’m excited (and nervous) to hear what they think!

Before dinner, I caught a peaceful moment in the backyard: a bunny nibbling clover just beyond the window. It was such a quiet, tender pause in the day.

Dinner came and went, and I finally tackled the mountain of dishes that had been looming. It wasn’t glamorous, but it felt good to clear that space. Just as I was finishing up, my sister-in-law arrived to drop off my oldest, who had been visiting her. It was sweet to see them both.

Now I’m looking ahead—my in-laws are coming tomorrow to spend the weekend with us before my husband leaves for the summer. It’s going to be bittersweet, but I’m glad we’ll all get time together before the next chapter begins.

Small Wins, Big Dreams

Yesterday started with a little excitement—I woke up to find that my wooden UFO lame and round bannetons had arrived overnight! There’s something so satisfying about upgrading your tools, especially when they align with new rhythms and routines you’re falling in love with again. I dove right into the morning routine, then checked on the starter I’d left overnight—it had risen perfectly. I mixed up a new dough, gave it time to autolyse, then got in a good round of slap-kneading before heading out with my husband to run a few errands.

We picked up probiotic yogurt to kick off a new batch of homemade yogurt and a pot for the mint plant I had nearly given up on. It’s bounced back unexpectedly, and I wanted to give it a better chance to thrive. When we got home, I transplanted the mint and spent some time tidying up the raised beds in the front yard. The big trees overhead had scattered dead leaves into the spider plants, so I started to clear them out.

The biggest news of the day? I got permission from our landlord to keep a small number of Coturnix quail! There are still a few steps to take before it’s official, but this was a major hurdle—and a big step toward making a long-time dream come true. I’m excited, a little nervous, and already imagining what their tiny chirps might sound like.

My youngest came home early for an appointment, and afterward, she headed out to play with friends. Meanwhile, I made country ribs using this BBQ rub and mashed potatoes for dinner—definitely a hit. My husband kindly took care of the dishes while I rested. Before bed, I fed the sourdough starter again, keeping the rhythm going.

It was one of those days where everything felt steady and aligned—a good mix of nurturing routines, small joys, and the first real movement toward something I’ve been dreaming about for a long time.

Middle-of-the-Night Bread, Backyard Play, and a Sweet Surprise

Yesterday started early—and I mean 1:30 AM early. I woke up to preshape my sourdough and then shaped it around 2 before popping it into the fridge for a short cold ferment. Thankfully, I was able to go back to sleep until 7, when my alarm went off and Patty, one of our cats, climbed on top of me to make biscuits.

Since it was a holiday, I didn’t have to wake the kids, but I still did the rest of my morning routine—including taking the dough out to come to room temp. My husband made French toast with leftover challah and sourdough (it was as good as it sounds), and after breakfast, I baked the loaf I’d prepped overnight. I still haven’t found my lame, so I scored it with kitchen scissors again. The loaf came out beautifully, and I couldn’t stop smiling as I listened to the familiar crackle of the crust fresh from the oven.

While doing my morning check-in on the plants, I noticed a little bit of growth in my seed tray—just the tiniest roots starting to peek out from a few of the seeds I pressed into the soil. That early bit of life always makes me smile.

I also checked on the yogurt I’d started over the weekend, but unfortunately, something went wrong and the texture never set properly. I ended up having to toss the whole batch, which was disappointing—but sometimes that’s just how it goes. I’ll try again soon.

There was a bit of a mishap trying to lower the dough into the preheated Dutch oven, and my husband swooped in with the sweetest surprise: he ordered me two bread slings, a UFO lame, and two more round bannetons. It felt good to be supported in this small but meaningful way.

The kids were out the door early and played all day in the sunshine while my husband assembled our youngest’s new bike. I even managed to sneak in a much-needed nap before dinner. We reheated some ragout from the freezer, boiled pasta, and had a simple but lovely family dinner.

Afterward, I cleaned the kitchen, fed the sourdough starter (timed perfectly to start a new loaf in the morning!), and headed to bed early, feeling content and grateful.

It wasn’t flashy or fancy, but it was the kind of day that fills you up. Bread, bikes, biscuits (from a cat), and all.

Yogurt, Sourdough, and Sunshine

Yesterday started earlier than usual—5:47 AM, to be exact—when it was time to move the yogurt to the fridge. I noticed right away that it hadn’t thickened quite like it normally does. Still, I figured it was worth a try and set it up to strain. I couldn’t fall back asleep afterward, but I gave myself permission to enjoy a slow, quiet morning until it was time to get moving.

What had me most excited was the promise of freshly baked sourdough. It had been a while, but I finally decided to dust off the starter (which had bounced back beautifully) and mix up a batch of dough. It really was like riding a bike—familiar steps, familiar rhythm. After some intense slap-kneading, I squeezed in some light chores and a bit of sewing. It felt good to be back in the groove.

By the time the dough was ready to bake, the neighborhood kids were out and about—and so were mine. The rest of the day unfolded in sunshine and laughter as they ran and played with friends. It was the kind of carefree joy that makes all the hustle worth it.

To top it off, we made it the perfect late spring day for the kids: pizza and ice cream for dinner—dessert first, of course. Because sometimes, the best memories are made when you throw the rules out the window.

The first loaf wasn’t perfect, but it was tasty! I couldn’t help but start another batch right away. Only … I may have jumped the gun on timing. I realized a bit too late that bulk fermentation would be wrapping up smack in the middle of the night. Oops.

Lesson learned—but no regrets. Between yogurt experiments, bread baking, and letting the kids soak up the sunshine and sugar, it was a full and happy day.

Slow Starts and Sweet Company

Even though the kids didn’t have school yesterday, I naturally woke up early, as did my youngest. We slipped into a quiet morning rhythm together, tackling a bit of organizing in the craft room before settling into some hands-on creating.

The morning chores followed: I fed the animals, gave the sourdough starter its daily attention, and checked on the plants to see who was thirsty. I also moved the white chicken chili—frozen flat, just the way I like it—into the storage freezer, and moved the prepped beef and broccoli from the fridge to the main freezer. Then, finally, I made myself a much-needed cup of coffee and took a breath.

Later, I hung a new jewelry organizer in my bedroom and took time to sort through my pieces. So many memories are wrapped in those little things—gifts, keepsakes, pieces tied to moments and places I’d almost forgotten until I held them in my hands again.

Midday, I got ready to meet someone new for coffee. We’d never met in person before, but it was an easy, open conversation. We talked over our drinks for over an hour, and before we parted, we’d already made plans for tea and crochet next week. It was my first time out with a friend since my friend Valerie passed, and while there was some bittersweetness in that, there was also warmth and hope.

Back home, I cleaned up the kitchen and started on something I’ve been wanting to try again: making yogurt from whey I’d frozen in tablespoon-sized cubes before we moved here. I popped them out of the easy release ice cube tray, mixed everything up, and hoped for the best. (I’ll let you know if it worked!)

Dinner was simple—just leftovers—but satisfying. I headed to bed early so I could be up in time to transfer the yogurt to the fridge.

It wasn’t a flashy day, but it was full of life and connection, and that’s more than enough.

Lessons and Little Wins

Yesterday was a full day—not busy in a frantic way, but satisfying.

The morning started in the usual way: getting the kids ready for school. My husband was home for the day, which made everything run more smoothly. Our youngest was extra excited—she had a field trip! Once everyone was out the door, I took a few minutes to transfer the cooled white chicken chili into freezer bags and stash them away. There’s something incredibly satisfying about seeing a row of homemade meals tucked into the freezer.

After that, I got dinner going early in the Instant Pot on slow cooker mode. I messed it up a bit (I put the broccoli in at the beginning … oops!), but it was edible. More importantly, I learned something new for next time. I also fed my sourdough starter. It’s almost ready for baking!

Later in the morning, I had a dentist appointment and then came home and puttered around, knocking out a few chores. But the real joy came when I got to plant herb seeds in my new seed starting tray—basil, chives, oregano, and thyme. It felt like the first true step toward growing this season’s kitchen garden.

Later, I snuck in some sewing and called some family before joining the family for dinner. After the kids were settled and the kitchen was clean(ish), I dug into a project I’ve been thinking about for a while: turning a fake succulent display into a real one. Last night, I finally gutted the artificial arrangement and started planning how to give it new life with real soil and real plants. It’s a small thing, but it feels so symbolic—swapping the fake for something living.

I can’t wait to see what today has in store!