Easy Artisan Bread Recipe

Last weekend for some reason I got the notion to make some bread. Perhaps this was as an excuse to lay down my crochet hook for a few hours – which didn’t really happen. Anyway I found this really simple recipe which is so easy to make the only real ingredient required is patience. Anyone who knows me knows that patience is really not my virtue and even I managed this and the results were quite tasty.
I didn’t include any of the herbs as I wanted to see how it tasted before introducing other flavours. It came out really well and next time I would use strong white bread flour rather than just plain flour. Anyway if you need some inspiration for something to do over the weekend give it a try.
Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 2/3 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary (optional)
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme (optional)
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh sage (optional)

Directions

1. Combine the flour, yeast, and salt in a large bowl and mix to combine. Add the water and herbs, if using, and mix well. The dough will be very sticky and shaggy-looking. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside at room temperature for 18 to 24 hours.
2. Generously flour a work surface. The dough will have risen and will be covered in bubbles. Transfer the dough to the work surface and dust it with flour. Fold the dough in half, and then form the dough into a ball by stretching and tucking the edges of the dough underneath the ball.
3. Liberally flour a kitchen towel (do not use terrycloth). Place the dough ball on the floured towel. Cover with another floured towel. Let the dough rise for about two hours [see footnote].
4. Preheat an oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Place a lidded Dutch oven or deep heavy duty casserole dish (with lid) into the oven to preheat.
5. Carefully remove the hot baking dish from the oven. Remove the lid and gently turn the dough ball into the ungreased baking dish, seam-side up; shake the dish so the dough is more evenly distributed.
6. Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and bake until the crust is golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the loaf from the baking dish and let it cool on a rack before slicing.

Source - Allrecipes.com
While I was busy being patient I managed to get another granny square blanket finishes. A welcome ray of sunshine.

Anyway whatever you are doing this weekend have a great one.

Lovelies in my Garden

Today has been such a nice day I thought I’d share a few photos of things in bloom so I can look back at them in gloomy November.
The day started with a lovely surprise I won a blog giveaway today over at Doris’s blog why not hop on over and see her lovely blog Crocheting in Georgia.

Doris I hope you don’t mind I borrowed your bumble bee to shout out THANK YOU.
My Himalayan blue poppies in bloom, the colour is just spectacular.
  

A bit of an old rhododendron but again what gorgeous fuchsia pink.
It’s all very nice and manicured but the white’ish tree/shrub to the right of the huge conifer is getting straggly. It’s actually heather gone completely mad and it’s trying to take over on the crochet clootie tree so action needs to be taken.
I don’t know the correct name for these maybe Amanda from Eight By Six Gardening blog will pop along and tell me. Something in the daisy family I think. If anyone else knows please feel free to let me know. 


I thought these photo’s I took were really atmospheric and eerie. Yes some very necessary pruning taking place with a very fume ridden chainsaw. Not exactly environmentally friendly – it’s OK the wrists that needed slapping have been.

Granny Mania

Howdy everyone I thought I would do a really quick blog tonight to show off some photo’s of what I’ve been working on. I’m sure everyone in the UK has had sun today and so we are all bright and cheerful :-) I’ve been working on some granny squares that just epitomise sunshine for me.
Here are the little crochet cookies getting ready to have ends sewn in and be turned into granny squares. 
And here they are again with their sunshine cheerful border so happy :-)
Unfortunately I now suspect I don’t have enough of the yellow wool to complete as many granny squares as I wanted to. Oh well I’ll just need to keep crocheting until I run out.
Also on the theme of granny square mania here are a couple of other afghans, blanket or throws recently completed.


 

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Ethical Mirasol Blanket Project

Look at the absolutely exquisite colours in this embryonic blanket project. I think I could be in heaven and given this wool comes from such an ethical project makes me feel good too. I don’t want to lecture anyone about social responsibility and ethical consumerism as I think this yarn could make the argument for me. I have just received a variety of skiens of Mirasol Hacho and I’ve decided to be very selfish and make myself a huge blanket, throw, afghan.

Here are some sneak preview shots of what I hope will become a magnificent piece of work when finally complete. I am also very lucky to have found what has become my favourite online yarn store. To visit the store pleas click here Aileen's Wool Shop. Those of you who know my name please don’t be confused this is not my shop but it is an incredible place to source a variety of ethical yarns such as Mirasol. The really competitively priced yarns include Artesano, Louise Harding, Debbie Bliss, Noro, Araucania, Colinette and Rowan. The shop also has all manner of knitting and crochet accessories.
I would highly recommend a visit to this store if you love quality yarns but don’t wish to pay top dollar. Aileen is a lovely lady and provides exceptional customer service, give it a try you’ll be delighted.
Aileen's Wool Shop

I am writing up my pattern as I go and will publish it once completed. I will update regularly with progress photos. It’s so very exciting to work with such ethical and sublime yarn. For information on the Mirasol project click here.

A Mirasol Mother’s Day

I hope that all Mum’s, Mother’s, Ma’s, Mummy’s everywhere had a wonderful Mother’s Day. I was the lucky recipient of some sublime Mirasol yarn. It is too yummy for words really.

I crocheted up a quick swatch to see how the yummy yarn would perform and it’s really excellent. The colours are beautiful and the wool itself is divine. Unfortunately I now feel a long term, time consuming and very expensive blanket, throw, afghan project coming on :-)

The stitch definition is incredible and it’s wonderful to be working with such an ethical product. The sample here is Mirasol Hacho shade 317. If you are not familiar with the Mirasol project then click here.
The philosophy behind the Mirasol Project is very simple, the Mirasol Project supports local communities in Peru through the sales of the Mirasol Yarn Collection.
Peru’s heritage and culture of textile artistry is rich and ancient. The Mirasol Yarn Collection includes yarn made from the animals tended by these communities for generations in the Peruvian highlands. Without them we would not have this beautiful yarn.
I hope Mum’s everywhere were as lucky as me.

What Do You Want ? Brainstorming -Giveaway

Have you ever the old saying that a ‘watched kettle never boils’ ? Well that was how I’ve felt this week. I’m as sick as all of you with the ‘postal strikes’ and waiting for mail that never arrives.
I’d given up thinking about new yarns and then as if by magic the postman arrived with a box full of goodies for me. This beautiful yarn has come from Yarn Market. Despite the recent postal strikes in the UK this arrived swiftly and in perfect condition. This wool is Caledon Hills and is so snugly, soft and beautiful. I now have quite a dilemma – what will I do with it?
Caledon Hills comes in 72 different shades and two different weights chunky and worsted or double knitting for us in the UK.
Here are my colours :-)

Lavender

Meadow

Goldenrod

Golden Finch

Sweet Pea
So what will I create with it ? I have two embryonic ideas but am enjoying just looking at it and touching it at the moment. The texture is so heavenly. I love the ideas stage.
I want to create a couple of new patterns for all of you. So here is my proposal. Leave me a comment with your idea for a new knitting or crochet pattern and the most original idea/suggestion will win 100g of this lovely yarn. Please note that this is open to anyone worldwide not just the UK. I will create the design and publish it freely for you all to use. I will run this until the 31st October, 2009 and will notify the winner on that date.
Oh and just in case I haven’t nagged you all enough already, about this, please can you vote for my little blog in the Dorset Cereal awards. The Sunroom ‘Vote Here’ and Thank You

Simple Abundance

Hello Everyone,

Last night we had thunder and lightening and lots of showers. Overnight it was difficult to sleep and I woke several times feeling cold. When I finally awoke and had my glass of milk, my thoughts turned to autumn and the coming cold weather and I allowed my mind to wander and began to create blankets in my mind. The fact that I have 3 blankets on the go at the moment doesn’t deter my mind from creating new creations.

I do hate to moan about the weather but it’s such a British preoccupation. I used to tell myself it was the territory of the elderly but now I know better.

‘If the first of July it be rainy weather, ‘twill rain more or less for four weeks together.’

So let’s be optimistic that August will bring summer again.

I wanted to share my thoughts on some delightful books that I’ve recently been reading. This seems a more productive way to us the day than grumbling about the weather. I will of course need to get back to my rag rug later it is almost 5ft in circumference now.

Simple Stylish Crochet – Melody Griffiths.

This is a great book full of inspiration and exquisite colour rich photographs. I love the poncho off the cover, as seen above.

The book has 24 different patterns ranging from beginner through to more the more advanced crochet pattern. It has the practical items like hats, scarves and jackets. It also has some sensational glamorous evening wear like the sequinned vest top. I think this is a good book to invest in or at least take out of your local library.

I love vintage crochet patterns and books too. I have quite a collection of books in my growing library. I recently ordered, Crochet By Design by Wynne Broughton, for borrowing at my local library. Unfortunately my local library service had lost this book and so I received this book on loan from Orkney Islands Council.

The book is as it says on the cover a sound manual for learning about the various stages of the design process. The book, although over 30 years old, is still a solid foundation for anyone wanting to master the process of designing any type of crochet. It goods give details on mastering the various crochet stitches and techniques.

I also figured given the weather is so miserable at the moment it would be uplifting and encouraging to read some pages from Sarah Ban Breathnach. Her books are beautiful and nurturing. Reading just a few pages is to escape from everyday stresses and and like having a relaxing cup of tea at the same time.

Two wonderful books by Sarah Ban Breathnach.

Romancing The Ordinary – A Year of Simple Splendour

Simple Abundance – A Daybook of Comfort & Joy

In Something More – Excavating Your Authentic Self, she provides a plethora of musings and reflections which can be read as inspirational affirmations. Each page provides an enriching and soothing creative resource. Something to focus on, something to consider and some gem to ponder on throughout your day.

All of these books are bursting with apposite quotations from a multitude of characters. For example the chapter ‘Entertainment’ opens with the following quote -

“The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play of instinct acting from inner necessity. The creative mind plays with the objects it loves.”

C. G. Jung

This I can relate very clearly to the actual creative process. So go forth and enjoy creating.

Happy creativity