Anniesantiago

Saturday, April 04, 2020

Sourdough Bread from Scratch

Photo from An Oregon Cottage website

We're stuck at home during the Covid-19 virus pandemic,.
I'm immuno-compromised.
I don't want people leaving the house and coming back to expose me
We need bread.
We have limited amounts of yeast.

And so, I decided to try my hand at sourdough bread.

I looked online and found several versions of sourdough starter, some using yeast (what's the point of that, I asked?) and some not.

I ended up just experimenting.

I began with a clean hinge-topped jar with the rubber ring removed.

In that jar, I put 1 cup of plain white flour and 3/4 cup of lukewarm water.

I stirred it and set it on the counter with the lid closed but not clipped.

This was Day 1.

Day 2, I didn't see any difference in the starter,

but I "fed" it with 1/2 cup white flour and 1/3 cup lukewarm water.

I stirred it and set it aside (on the counter with the lid closed but not clipped)

Day 3 I could see some little bubbles.

I fed the starter again, using white flour and set it aside.

Day 4, it had a dark liquid on top.

It smelled sourish.

Everything I read said to drop a teaspoon of the starter into a glass of water and if it floated, it was ready.

I did that.

My starter sank like a stone.

Day 5, I poured off the liquid.

I decided to try Whole Wheat White Flour.

I took out about 1/2 cup of the starter

and used it to make some pancakes.

I fed the starter using the WWWF this time.

Day 6.

Oh, it's bubbling better!

I tested it.

It didn't float... it sank again.

I decided to feed the starter twice today.

I fed it at the usual time in the morning and again in the evening.

Day 7.

The starter is looking much lighter and fluffier.

I took out 1/2 cup and made a waffle for breakfast.

Then I fed the starter using the plain white flour,

and set it aside.

About noon, I checked it

and it had nearly doubled in size!

Excited now, I dropped a teaspoon into a glass of water,

and VOILA!

It FLOATED!

Photos from internet

Here is the jar I'm using

I just re-fed the starter and it's already bubbling!

* * *

So... now I'm making my first loaf of sourdough bread.

Here is the recipe I've used from anoregoncottage.com

Easy Sourdough Artisan Bread Recipe

An easy artisan sourdough bread that is mixed up in the morning and baked in an enamel pot for a perfect crust and chewy interior.

Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Rising Time: 5 hrs 40 mins
Total Time: 6 hrs 30 mins

Course: Breads
Cuisine: American

Yield: 1 loaf
Author: Jami Boys

Ingredients

3 cups flour white whole wheat, whole wheat, unbleached, or a combo
1 ¼ cups warm water*
3/4 cup active sourdough starter
1 tablespoon honey
1 ½ teaspoons salt

Instructions

Mix all ingredients together in the bowl of a stand mixer (or large mixing bowl) just until combined and then let sit for 15 minutes.
Using a dough hook, knead for 5 minutes. If making by hand, knead for 8 to 10 minutes.
Transfer to a medium-sized bowl, lightly coated with oil. Cover with plastic and let rise for 3 hours, turning and folding the dough once or twice.
Remove dough, turn and fold again, and place it back in the bowl, seam-side up. Let rise for another 2 hours.
After the second rise, place a square of parchment on a cookie sheet and gently shape the dough into a ball or oval (using lots of flour, as the dough is moist) and set on the parchment. Make sure there's a good coating of flour on the top, as this will make slicing the top later easier.
Set an enameled, cast iron dutch oven into a cold oven and turn heat to 450 degrees (alternately, you can use a baking stone), and set the timer for 40 minutes.
When the timer goes off, slash the top of the loaf with a serrated knife (in 2-3 places) and transfer it to the hot pot by holding the edges of the parchment (or stone).
Replace the hot lid and bake for 12-15 minutes. Remove the lid and continue baking for another 13-15 minutes, until golden brown.
Remove to a wire rack to cool at least 30 minutes before cutting.

Notes
*You may need less if your starter is wetter- mine is a 100% hydration starter, fed an equal ratio of flour to water.
Slicing Tip: if you don't have a good serrated knife, try using an electric knife to easily slice through crusty artisan bread. It works like a charm and even cuts through warm breads without squishing the crusts like regular knives do.

Loaf resting and raising after kneading 10 minutes

The dough was easy to knead.

It didn't stick.

In fact it was a little thick,

so I added a few drops (just DROPS) of warm water

while I was kneading.

I did this about 3 times to get it the right consistency.

The dough is very elastic,

and I'm hoping the loaf turns out nice.

The recipe asks for an enameled dutch oven.

We have one.

I've also seen where people just use a regular dutch oven

or even a loaf pan.

The reason for the dutch oven is so you can cover and STEAM the bread for the first 12-15 minutes of baking.

While I was waiting,

I made some sourdough banana bread.

YUM!

And here is my Whole Wheat Sourdough bread.

I couldn't get a photo before we cut into it.

YUM!

Now that my sourdough starter is growing,

I can keep it in the fridge for years

and won't need to buy yeast.

It was a great day!

Friday, April 03, 2020

My Double Mastectomy Surgery is "On" and Things . . .

I got an email from my surgical nurse yesterday.

My double mastectomy surgery, originally scheduled for April 23, is "on."

I will spend one night in the hospital then come to my youngest son's home to recover. The original plan was to go to my elder son's home, as he is a surgical nurse. But since the outbreak of the virus, surgeries at his hospital have dried up and he has been moved into another department and we are afraid of being exposed. So my youngest son's home is the safest place.

I've been chatting with other women who have had double mastectomies and I've been collecting "things" I'll need for this surgery.

Mastectomy Pillows for sleeping and riding in the car - to protect the incision site

These are "drain" holders - I'll have at least one, and maybe two drains attached to my body for a couple of weeks. These will hold those and keep them from swinging around.

This holds my drains when I shower.

A bidet sprayer which attaches to the toilet.

A hot/cold bottle with a straw so I can drink while lying down

A "wedge" to sleep on for a few weeks to keep my upper body in a semi-sitting position.

I also have a couple of post surgery camisoles that were gifted me by Providence Breast Clinic. These zip up the front so I can easily get into them. They have detachable pockets inside to hold the drains.

In addition, they have pockets to insert my "Knitted Knockers" prosthesis when and if I'm ready. The Knitted Knockers were made by volunteers and are gifted free of charge to mastectomy patients. A gift of love, they come in all colors and sizes. You can order them with or without nipples, and you can order special water-friendly ones to be used in your swimsuit.

If you know anyone undergoing breast cancer and chemo or mastectomy surgery, there are several very supportive Facebook groups I belong to.

One is simply called Mastectomy Support Group and is a closed group. It's a good place to hear other women's stories and to ask advice or just vent and get support.

The other group I belong to is called "Flat and Fabulous." I've joined this group because I have decided NOT to have any reconstructive surgery. There are two of these; one for after you've had your surgery where the "C" word is NOT discussed and one where you can discuss your cancer and/or treatments. Both are filled with very supportive women.

So, despite Mr. Covid, my surgery is on.

Thank you all so very much for your support. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers for a positive outcome and for protection from the virus.

You are ALL in MY prayers during this crazy time!
Love,
Annie

Sunday, March 15, 2020

We Are Home and My Thoughts . . .

Joe was prepared with a mask

Well,
Joe and I are feeling lucky
to be home from Spain,
and safe, after our very short Camino!

In late February, we thought, like many,

that this Coronavirus news

was being blown way out of proportion

and would soon blow over.

So we chose to leave on March 4,

expecting to walk in Spain for 6 weeks.

The first 7 days were awesome.

Normal.

People in Spain didn't seem to be concerned at all about the virus.

By March 8 we had made it to Merida

and spent 3 wonderful days there.

We saw no concern.

No masks.

No panic.

On March 11 we walked to Aljucin.

We checked into the albergue there and rested.

Still no concern.

UNTIL we found out that the albergue
in the next village, Alcuescar, was closed.
Not because they had cases of the virus,
but because they cared for
people with compromised immune systems
there, and didn't want other people
bringing in the virus.

Because of this,
we took a taxi to Alcuescar next morning,
March 12,
and walked to Aldea de Cano.
There, all seemed well.
Nobody was wearing masks.
Nobody seemed concerned.

However, that evening, in the bar,

I was reading notices on the Camino forum

that things were getting worse

all over the world,

and that travel bans were beginning to take place.

I was beginning to get a nervous feeling in my gut and I told Joe,

"Maybe we should think about HOW

we would get home if we were forced to leave

in a hurry.

Should we walk on tomorrow?"

We decided to wait until morning,

and to sleep on it.

There were several other pilgrims
in the albergue that night.
None seemed to be concerned.

On Friday, March 13,
we got up and had breakfast

in the albergue

and waited for the bar to open.

When it opened, we got online

and there we saw the warning from Ivar

and the moderators about not starting a Camino,

and about getting yourself home

if you were ON the Camino.

We quickly decided we'd better

try to get home.

What was sad to me

was how the demeanor of the bar owners changed, literally, overnight.

I was ignored at the bar.

I had to follow the lady up and down the bar

to get a coffee.

It never happened.

She would look right through me

as though I did not exist,

and go to a local person.

There were maybe 7 locals there.

My phone was not working.

Joe's phone was nearly dead,

and so we asked her if she would help

and call us a taxi.

She ignored us.

I asked another lady sitting at the bar,

and after 3 requests from HER,

the bar lady went and got a flyer

with a taxi number on it and shoved it at me.

She would not make the call.

It was so weird.

She had been so friendly the day before.
I'm sure she was just scared out of her wits,
wondering why these pilgrims
were walking through Spain,
possibly spreading this virus,
that we still didn't know much about.

We managed to get a call through on Joe's phone,

and hired a taxi to Caceres,

where we caught a bus to Madrid.

In the meantime, I "Signaled" my son
back in Oregon, and asked him to search
for a flight

from Madrid to Los Angeles.

Several airlines were price gouging
asking $2000-$3000 for one-way seats!

British Air, American Airlines, IberiaAir

were all charging THOUSANDS of dollars

for a one way flight home!

They had a few flights listed in the $400-$500 range, but when you chose them,

they would tack on many charges.

It was crazy.

We were lucky that my son travels constantly

and was able to get seats for us

from Madrid to Miami then LAX

on one of the last available flights out.

He had to try for a long time.

Flights were disappearing off the boards

and being canceled as he worked.

It was pretty stressful.

We met one man who paid $10,000

for a flight home to Australia.

TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS!

This should be illegal

and I hope airlines that do this

will get horrendous fines,

but right now, it's just the way it is.

The Madrid airport was like a tomb.

The only flights were flights coming IN

with Spanish residents.

We arrived early afternoon at the airport

and our flight was not to leave until the next day.

We waited at the airport for over 14 hours

for our fight.

We found a closed restaurant

and sat at a table

where we were able to charge our phones.

We were working at this point

on being awake over 24 hours.

We prayed the flight wouldn't be canceled.

On the way to board,

we were herded to a desk

where they interviewed Joe (not me.)

They asked Joe his name,

what he did for a living, his address,

questions that didn't seem to make any sense

under these current conditions.

We finally boarded.

About 1/3 of the seats were empty.

Many people were now wearing masks.

Some, mostly young people, were obviously sick, coughing, and NOT wearing masks,

which upset me very much.

Joe and I had taken masks with us,

so we were able to mask up.

This flight was pretty good.

They served us food and drinks many times

and were very kind.

When we arrived in Miami,

it was announced that we would be screened

upon arrival.

We were only allowed to un-board

20 passengers at a time.

We were met by officials who were friendly,

but sorely lacking in logical training

in my opinion.

For instance, the same gloves were used

for every person,

spreading this virus, in my opinion,

if anyone DID have it.

Since Joe and I were traveling together,

they only interviewed him.

I thought that was bizarre

since I was the one coughing

from my MCS and exposure to perfume

on the flight.

They asked his name, address,

and if he'd had contact with anyone with the virus.

They took his temperature.

Then we had to go through customs.

Unlike usual, when we do NOT have to go back through security on connecting flights,

we DID have to go back through.

We were separated because I have TSA pre-boarding, and he does not.

Even with TSA pre-boarding,

I had to remove items I don't usually have to remove and it was really stressful and confusing.

And there again

were those gloves,

doing pat downs on one passenger,

and then the next without changing.

Crazy.

After getting through security,
and finding Joe again,

we were rushing to find our connecting flight

in the huge Miami airport

when I realized I had left my jacket

and eyeglasses at security.

Joe went ahead.

I went back and after a search, found my things.

It was crazy, and very stressful.

The gate we were leaving from

seemed like miles away

and I arrived just as Joe was boarding.

Our flight from Miami to LAX began
fairly empty.
At the last moment,
it was filled,

according to the stewardess,

with people from all over the world

who were on a cruise ship that came into Miami

and unloaded clients.

Nearly all of them seemed stressed

and just trying to GET HOME.

It was horrible.

Children and babies were crying.

It was hot.

There was no food served

unless you paid for it.

Seems like under the conditions,

the airlines could have done a lot better!

I don't know where they found that plane,

but it was nasty dirty

(literally there were chunks of "stuff" on the floor),

the trays had spilled coffee on them

and it was NOT the best experience I have had.

We had run out of Clorox wipes

so did our best to wipe things down with baby wipes.

They sat an old couple right behind us

from the cruise ship.

The old guy leaned all over Joe's seat

while getting to his own,

and at this point, our nerves were pretty shot.

We had bulkhead seats - two abreast -

and the seats behind us were in rows of 3,

so there was a big open space between me

and the woman.

Once they sat down, the man coughed

all through the flight,

that dry scary cough you are told to worry about.

The woman sneezed about 5 times

without covering her mouth,

and scared the poop out of me.

I had my head covered with a blanket

because I was so paranoid.

By the time we got to LAX

we had been awake nearly 2 days

and were both punchy.

After getting off the plane,

I immediately found a bathroom

where I soaped up my hands, face,

and arms and washed the best I could.

Joe had thought ahead

and had the smarts to reserve a car from Madrid,

so we were able to jump on a shuttle,

get a rental car,

and get on the freeway pretty quickly.

There were big creepy lighted signs

on the freeway saying:

"COVID-19.

"LESS IS MORE.

AVOID LARGE GROUPS"

Whoah!

Nothing has felt so life-changing

in such a short time since 9-11, for me.
I have an elderly mother in California
that I could not see for 14 days,
and a double mastectomy scheduled
at home in Oregon in a month,
and I was worried they'll close the borders
between the states.
Then what would I do?

Life as we knew it two weeks ago

has changed,

and feels like it will never be the same.

And it only took about 3 days

to go from "Happy on my Camino"

"Go home.

"Don't talk to anyone.

"Don't meet in groups

where you can discuss what's going on.

"Don't go shopping.

"Stay in your house."

The next morning,
as we watched the news,
we realized how lucky we had been.
We saw hundreds of people
jammed together into small rooms
in Chicago O'Hare.
If there was ever a good way to spread the virus,
that was it.
In addition,
they were complaining of wait times
up to 6 hours.
We got through in less than an hour.

And so,

Joe and I both did our14 day self-quarantine
as instructed.
I packed up the van,
stopped by to wave at my mother,
then headed to Oregon
so I could be here for my surgery.
Since then, things have worsened considerably,
and though I haven't had news that my surgery is postponed or cancelled,
I'm considering postponing it
until the worst of the virus wave is over.
I'm just not too comfortable
spending time in the hospital,
with all of the active cases of Corona
in Oregon.

to wrap my head around the past 11 days.

I am praying this all blows over
sooner than expected,

that no more people die,

and that the Camino can get back to normal soon.

In the meantime, I'm just happy to be back on familiar,

though bizarre,

soil.

What an adventure life is!
And sometimes it leaves you with scabby knees.
I'm feeling the burn.

Love,

Annie

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Merida - Day 5 - Basilica of Sta. Eulalia

Today we headed to the Basilica of Santa Eulalia. There is a crypt there. On top of the crypt was built a Roman Villa. Then on top of that was built the Basilica and you can view all the different layers. The combination €7,50 ticket covers the crypt. The church is an extra €2 but to us was very much worth it to see the inside. That small contribution helps with the upkeep. Here are a few photos.