It's a Wrap-up...

 Another week - another 2 post for me! This has got to be a record lol

Slow week here. Lots of heavy rains, high winds - even some lightning and hail - which are rare for these parts. We are supposed to have 4 days of nice weather coming up so I'm excited. 

Inspired by last weeks TMST post about vacations - I booked one for Kevin and I. It's still within the state, but the chance to just get away and, hopefully, be outdoors will be great. 

So what did I do this week? 

PLANTS!

My first plant shopping of the year. I've been wanting to go to this very small, locally owned nursery -  Birds and Bees PDX for years but it's a bit out of the way and opens later than when I'm typically out and about. I made a point to go this weekend - in the rain - because that's when it's toughest on these businesses. They had a small, but excellent, assortment of native and house plants. I bought a few herbs, plants for my rock wall and a hosta. Plus, a book about vegetable gardening out here.

BAKING

I baked whole wheat bread with 7 grain cereal and that was a huge hit at Kevin's work place. His co-worker said it's a gift to be able to bake so well. I died laughing because I basically used my bread machine on the dough setting to mix/knead and then finished it off in the oven. 

Ellie is 1 year old this month! Not only was I able to make a sourdough starter - but I kept her alive for one whole year. If you've been following my baking adventures - I killed Ryan - the other (rye) starter that I made at the same time as Ellie. 

It's SO much easier than most people make it sound like, once you learn a few tricks (& NOT get crazy obsessed over it). I do not feed my starter daily or have discard (unless I want some for another purpose). I keep about 1 tablespoon in the fridge and just feed as needed for whatever I'm baking. I've gone months without feeding her.

This is a new recipe I found from Easy Everyday Sourdough Bread Baking by Elaine Boddy. It made a smaller than usual loaf - only about 6 inches wide, so cute! - and helped me practice a few steaming techniques I saw on YouTube.

READING

The Summer She Went Missing by Chelsea Ichaso - Mind you, I am not the targeted age group for this YA thriller, but I'm not enjoying it at all and will most likely DNF unless things turn around soon. I had thought it was a dark, small town secrets, rich kids vs townies murder vibe but it feels more Nancy Drew-ish. Nothing wrong with that, but the audio narration makes the MC come off as naive, whiny and boy obsessed & cliche instead of the dark thriller I was expecting. 

WATCHING

Wonka - MAX - couldn't finish, we were bored

John Wick 4 - meh So unnecessarily convoluted

The 3 Body Problem - Netflix - Made it to episode 4. Pretty good and we liked it but not hooked. 

Faraway - Netflix - This was our virtual movie date pick for the week. I gave it 4 stars (out of 5) It got a little silly at times but I loved the idea of an older (50's??) woman leaving her horrendous family that take advantage of her going off to an beautiful island to find herself, love and happiness. My friend gave it 3.5/3.75. 

AND FINALLY

I saw this on IG and it cracked me up. Dolls scare the sh*! out of me. I love how the *May Be Haunted Dolls cost more lol 

Have a lovely Easter weekend everyone!