Chatback #18

[Snadger]

Afternoon all. Went to local shop this morning as we had ran out of milk. They had no milk but were expecting a delivery so I hung around for 5 minutes and managed to get some.
Came back and have been wheelbarrowing fire wood to storage area near house and filling up indoor storage next to woodburner.
Bitterly cold but at least its not raining/snowing.
I hate stopping in the house so intend donning my top coat and doing a bit of gardening. I checked on my magnolia that I planted last year and even though it is still quite tiny it is full of flower buds. I have some gladioli corms which need planting and I want to move a red acer from a slightly shady area into full sun where hopefully it will perform a bit better.

Take care folks and stay safe.

[veggiechicken]

Do you think it was because I watched Most Haunted before going to sleep?

Morning/oops afternoon from sunny but nippy VC land.

Don't worry, Jay, I've been watching too many disaster movies so I'm imagining an end of the world scenario based around my neighbours forming a small community. in isolatiion from the world. What are our skills and could we survive as an independent unit?
Not many of us grow food and there are only 2 chickens to lay eggs for the community. They'll not go far!!
Keeps my mind busy when I'm pottering in the garden.

[Bren In Pots]

Afternoon, between the rain and cold I've not been in the garden for long today, instead it's been a mix of exercising, housework, reading and a bit of knitting.
Flo. do what you're happiest doing but I'd be tempted to work from home given the choice.

[Florence Fennel]

And now for something completely different First time using the mixer for bread and the dough is a disaster x 2! Basic ingredients in the bowl, dough hook for 5 minutes and both times, second with more liquid, it is heavy and dry. I've covered it to rise, but I don't hold out much hope. Am I doing something wrong?

[Bren In Pots]

How much flour to water Flo, I use 3lb flour to 30 fluid oz of water, 1 oz of fresh yeast and nearly a desert sp salt and a bit of oil.
Mixed using the dough hook and kenwood chef.

[Snadger]

Well, how did I get on with the gardening you may ask?Very well thankyou sez I.
I was waiting for a delivery of two large bags of dogfood so decided to weed the border at the front of the house so I could keep an eye out for it coming.
Quite a lot of leaves had blown behind the plants and lo and behold I found three large hens eggs in a little nest of leaves, I can only think its from the chickens two doors away which are often escaping there gardens.
Any way, dog food arrived and I had the bright idea of using the box for the weeds instead of getting the wheelbarrow. Bad idea.
After I came back from walking my dog, the wind had got a hold of the box and spread the weeds all over the lawn.

Tidied that lot up then went to work on the back garden. Planted a dozen Gladioli in a large clump, shifted a red Acer that has never thrived where it was to a sunnier part of the garden and topdressed the three asparagus plants I have whose roots were showing on the surface.

What with the pottering I had done in the morning plus the bit I have just done, decided that was enough for to today and I am happy with progress.

Take care folks.

[Florence Fennel]

One loaf, 500g flour, half a pint of liquid, salt, sugar,dried yeast sachet and a glug of oil. Not enough liquid Bren?

[Florence Fennel]

Oh heck, the strong bread flour and the dried yeast were at the back of my cupboard and both were use by November 19. Doh, maybe that's why?

[greenishfing]

Oh heck, the strong bread flour and the dried yeast were at the back of my cupboard and both were use by November 19. Doh, maybe that's why?

I have had problems with out of date bread yeast in the past. I thought the breadmaker had died, but no......just old yeast.

[Florence Fennel]

I have had problems with out of date bread yeast in the past. I thought the breadmaker had died, but no......just old yeast.

There's little chance of getting yeast now, so better have a go at making some sour dough starter. I've kept meaning to, just not got around to it.

[rary]

Good afternoon, it has been a nice sunny morning here today and actually quite pleasant have been tidying up and also empted a compost bin into bags as its compost thats ready to use I then transferred material from a wheelybin into the compost bin and just to take a break during that I brushed up the patio, it was either that or wash windows after seeing Sps thread asking if it would work, I had mixed some soil and compost last night and left it to heat up a bit and now I have filled one of those trays for holding pots with the mix and have sowd some turnip seeds into it and now hopping it will will work right off to see what else I can do other than clean windows

[Florence Fennel]

When this bread doesn't rise, what do I do with it? Answers on a postcard please and keep it clean

[lottie dolly]

Oh heck, the strong bread flour and the dried yeast were at the back of my cupboard and both were use by November 19. Doh, maybe that's why?

that'l be fine

[Bren In Pots]

When this bread doesn't rise, what do I do with it? Answers on a postcard please and keep it clean

Flo a few ideas.
Pizza bases
Bread sticks
Flat breads
Naan breads
Add cheese for cheese straws

[Nicos]

When this bread doesn't rise, what do I do with it? Answers on a postcard please and keep it clean

Make a crispy pizza base with it?
Roll it thin, sprinkle spices on it and smudge it in, then bake...lovely for using in dips.
Knead in grated Parmesan and bake as above....or use it like a pastry topping on a casserole....or inplace of dumplings?
Then feed what's left to the birds???