The weekly “little of this, little of that” feature here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!
(This will all look and work better if you click on the actual post and do not remain on the main page.)
I made English muffins Thursday for my husband's Friday morning breakfast, which I guess falls somewhere on a spectrum between habit and tradition.
He normally has a modest breakfast that he fixes for himself — bagel or cereal. If there is a pot of oatmeal out for the kids, he'll have some.
Sundays we all have a big brunch, so the only other day he allows himself an egg (this is a holdover from the “eggs are bad for your cholesterol” days that I can't shake him of, also he may not like eggs as much as I do) is Friday, when, coincidentally, he also takes the time to do the New York Times crossword.
For those of you who don't know, the Times crossword goes from easy on Mondays to epic on Sundays. Fridays are pretty hard. Back in the days when we got an actual newspaper delivered, he'd do the Monday one without picking his pen up off the paper, the way you or I would fill it in if we didn't care what letters we used.
I started doing them too, so he would let me do Monday through Wednesday, help me with Thursday, and take over for the rest of the week. (Actually, Wednesdays are annoying because they usually feature “popular culture” which neither of us knows much about — still, he can do that one in a matter of minutes).
Friday does take him a little longer, so he settled on a slightly bigger breakfast too on that day. An egg and an English muffin is his indulgence!
Here's the thing though: English muffins annoy me! They have great texture, what with those nooks and crannies, but if you ever leave one out on the counter and then go to eat it while it's cold, it tastes exactly like it's made out of the dust of annoyance. Plus they are not cheap.
I would pay if I found good ones, don't get me wrong. Standing at a griddle hoping you've nooked and crannied the darn lumps of dough is not so great. So although I won't buy them, I often don't make them either. Too hot, forgot, too tired, too much other bread to make… Poor Chief… sometimes his egg comes with toast like the rest of the unfortunates.
Well, Thursday was the day. And of course when I posted on IG about it, people wanted a recipe, which of course I don't have. So I thought I'd tell you what I do here.
Aaaand, I was all ready to write it out, when I realized I have already not given you a recipe, in detail! So you can read that. Rosie linked to someone else's actual recipe in this post. (Not without some good-natured kidding about my not giving recipes. Deserved.)
The difference is that now I put some sourdough starter in it as well as a little yeast, and that does seem to make the texture even better. I'm still not 100% satisfied in the N&C department (you know, nooks and crannies), but these EMs are pretty darn good.
I hope that if nothing else, I give you confidence to play around with your dough.
The honey is from our bees 🙂
On to our links!
This week marked the 50th anniversary of the encyclical Humanae Vitae, On Human Life. Never has there been a more controversial document from the Catholic Church. I hope that people(including those in the Church herself) begin to see the fullness of the Church's teaching on marriage. Humanae Vitae isn't the only — or even best — expression of that teaching, which is why I wrote about Casti Connubii here on the blog and in my ebook (which I hope to update soon and produce as a paperback).
- Ministers, not masters, of life: Fr. Pokorsky.
- A friend shares this quote from the psychiatrist Thomas Szasz: “Traditionally, sex has been a very private, secretive activity. Herein perhaps lies its powerful force for uniting people in a strong bond. As we make sex less secretive, we may rob it of its power to hold men and women together.” John Cuddeback revisits The Odyssey and The Secret of the Marriage Bed. His reflection is powerful and poetic. We’d like to be clear that, when we direct you to a site via one of our links, we’re not necessarily endorsing the whole site, but rather just referring you to the individual post in question (unless we state otherwise).
Other links:
- We know so much about health, and we have forgotten a lot too. The Peckish Patient and recovering nursing wisdom.
- Socialism, a failed and brutal, murderous ideology, is somehow gaining traction with younger people. I think this is due in part to confusion as to terms; what is capitalism, something that Catholic social teaching has warned against, as opposed to free markets, something it has taught as being in accord with the natural law? And perhaps a failure to make a distinction between free markets and crony capitalism in our highly regulated, technological society has left the door open to even more confusion. A writer I admire, Dr. Samuel Gregg, explains what that is and why we should oppose it: Crony Capitalism: Inefficient, Unjust, and Corrupting.
- European socialism! Really? Like in Sweden, where a woman can't stay home with her child, and children suffer from “emotional poverty”?
- In “what is the internet for, anyway” departmental matters, the obligatory cat post.
- I don't know how to evaluate the stats in this article about happiness and our surroundings, but it makes sense, doesn't it? It made me think about how orderliness is connected to our sense of well being, and that the person who facilitates it is truly taking care of those around him or her. I think there is value in making a good place for people to be.
- For a long time, I just didn't understand medieval art. Definitely a child of my time, I thought art should move me emotionally and without the filter of symbolism. I remember when my mother began to study Fra Angelico and his works; I just couldn't relate to any of it. Gradually over the years I have learned more; when the Chief and I went to Florence, I definitely fell in love! Peter Kwasniewski writes a short piece on the artist and a painting of his.
From the archives:
- I think that besides my (ancient) freezer organization post (great photos, not), this one about how to work with your almond fixtures in the bathroom is the most looked at! How funny is that!
Several saints today! Sts. Nazarius and Celsus, St. Victor I, St. Innocent I.
We’d like to be clear that, when we direct you to a site via one of our links, we’re not necessarily endorsing the whole site, but rather just referring you to the individual post in question (unless we state otherwise).
Anamaria says
The Sweden article is behind a paywall! Boo. I read Kosimars (guilt-inducing but interesting m) book on motherhood and I’m surprised to see a
her opinion on Sweden because the last chapter was a mixed bag on moving forward from what we know about the value of a mother (make career sacrifices for your children, it’s worth it, was alongside recs for greater maternal leave).
Also, here in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City it’s the first feast day of Blessed Stanley Rother, priest, missionary, and martyr! He was a humble priest who continued to shepherd his flock even when he was in danger. I’ve heard of him since moving here as a child but I was really moved when I finally finished his biography.
Leila says
The article isn’t explicit about the real remedy, which frustrates but doesn’t surprise me, but the main thing is her description of how mentally ill young people have become there, due to being warehoused. Where there are not neighborhoods of families, there will not be thriving children.
Victoria says
Folks who can’t get around paywall can also watch an interview with Komisar (ironic name) that she did with Fox and Friends.
Dixie says
The cats are hilarious.
Mary Keane says
The almond bathroom post is well timed for me! We have almond and golden oak bathrooms as well. They just look dingy no matter how clean it is in fact. The rest of the house I’ve brightened up significantly with white trim, but the almond fixtures would look even worse if I did that. I also have wallpaper painted over with rose and tan sponge painting in one, and heavily textured plaster in the other. Gross gross gross. I think I can make do with improved lighting and strategic use of paint. Spray painting the towel bars is brilliant.
Alix T. says
Give the highlights done about health shares in the past, plus the mention of the 50th anniversary of Humanae Vitae, this might be of interest: https://www.solidarityhealthshare.org/press-release-health-share-organization-to-pay-for-natural-fertility-health-care-and-sterilization-reversals/
The support for NaPro care means I might finally be able to join a health share!
Cristina Reintjes says
Give the highlights done about health shares in the past, plus the mention of the 50th anniversary of Humanae Vitae, this might be of interest: https://www.solidarityhealthshare.org/press-release-health-share-organization-to-pay-for-natural-fertility-health-care-and-sterilization-reversals/
The support for NaPro care means I might finally be able to join a health share!
Kate says
Leila, I respect your household and child raising advice, but promoting someone from the awful Acton Institute (Gregg)! Please keep away from their kool aid. Read Thomas Storck’s books for a healthy, Catholic view on economics and CST.
Leila says
Kate, feel free to post whomever you like on your blog. And I will do the same here.
Leila says
If you have actual comments to make, that’s fine. Everyone here knows I am always ready to engage. But you tip your hand if you think the Acton Institute is some sort of “fake news” organization, and I assure you that Samuel Gregg is a friend and a really clear thinker. I really am not okay with you insulting him.
meditationsandmiscellany999229906 says
Leila,
I liked Father Schall’s article. It sounds to me what he is speaking of is something Matthew Kelly refers to as “carefree timelessness.” My take on that is just unhurried time spent together, without any particular agenda. Certain conversations happen, and they can’t be forced, but they turn out to be quite memorable and meaningful. I think that’s why margin and unscheduled time is so important.
Also, I’m reminded of a line from my very favorite movie: “Life is Beautiful”. After Guido (the main character) makes a comment about Uncle Elijah’s eccentric collection, Uncle Elijah responds with, “Nothing is as necessary as the unnecessary.” It seems to me Fr. Schall’s article touches on that: not everything has to have a stated purpose to have meaning or significance.
Always look forward to your Saturday posts!
Melisa
Gina says
Arg!! You always find the most interesting articles that I can never read because of the WSJ’s paywall. We’re trying hard to reign in our household subscription services so I don’t think I’ll be able to subscribe anytime soon. Normally it’s no problem, but all of your linked WSJ articles sound really interesting to me at the moment. 😀
Lisa G. says
Gina, don’t give up! I don’t have a subscription to the Journal, but I read the articles. Just google: “WSJ, and the name of the article”, and you can get to it that way.
Gina says
Thank you Lisa! I will definitely be trying that out, what a great idea. 🙂
Jody says
Loved your links this week! Your “not-a-recipe” recipe for pizza crust was life changing! Would you consider something similar for English muffins? I’ve tried them before, but without much success.
Also, did you make your own start in the beginning or get a start from somewhere else? I’ve been following your experimentation with interest.
Leila says
Hi Jody — if you follow the link in the post, you will find my OTHER post where I did sort of give my method.
I can answer questions if you still have them. The main thing is that the dough be very wet…
I did make my own starter. That’s a story in itself… I will try to do a post maybe later in the summer about it. But really, I am not any kind of expert. Quite the opposite! Even so, I find that using starter really does make the texture of the bread different, in a better way!
Jody says
Thanks! I read Rosie’s link, but missed the significance of the instruction😜. I will now be googling roll recipes with milk & eggs. Thanks for taking the time to respond.
Bethanne says
I read the article about The Peckish Patient with interest. It reminded me of God’s Hotel, a book you have recommended that I read and loved–and the fact that so much of our “collective memory” is being lost. We have forgotten the old ways: how to give birth, how to breast feed, how to take care of the sick, we have even forgotten how to eat. We no longer know how to nourish ourselves–the stat was that 30-50% of all patients enter the hospital malnourished. We don’t even use that term, “nourish” much anymore. My goal for this year is to nourish my family, perhaps not perfectly, but better.
P.S. For what it is worth, I’ve read that the way to get English muffin nooks and crannies is to have very wet dough that isn’t handled too much.
elizabeth says
I have mixed feelings about the Sweden article. I am European (dutch) and have traveled in both the US and in Sweden. Obviously, that doesn’t make me an expert at all, but let me say I have been quite shocked when I visited the US. The roads were often in a dreadful state, even the ones with lots of traffic (I did a roadtrip from coast to coast). The poverty I saw was something I’ve only seen in countries like Romania and Ukraine before. I saw the immense contrast between rich and poor and realized that the US we see in the movies is a place that doesn’t actually exist. I stayed with lots of people on the road and heard about the cost of giving birth, the lack of proper parental leave, the stress about money, debt and making ends meet from middle class (catholic) families.
In short, yes, I agree with the criticism in the article, but I can’t help but feel it’s ironic that this is coming from a US source.
Jenny M. says
Elizabeth, your comment was so very interesting. Speaking as someone from the rural south, the poverty there is really shocking and something many never see. My own children have seen nothing like it here in suburban CO. I’m sure it exists, but it is not where we frequent. Where I came from, we had to drive everywhere, and as a result saw a lot more of the area. I wonder if the poverty you mention was in the south or other areas. I”m sure inner cities have a really bad problem, too.
Emily says
Well, as for the roads: Keep in mind that a lot of the time, that’s funded, mostly, by the state. The USDOT doesn’t do all that itself. So different states have different budgets for that, and then it breaks down by city and by township, etc….so you can have some really great roads in some states, and awful ones in others. I’m in Ohio and fortunately out ODOT is pretty decent, even if construction is never, ever, EVER ending. 😛
Victoria says
When I first started reading Elizabeth’s comment, I was thinking to myself, “Well, she must never have traveled to ROMANIA” …and then she brought up Romanian roads… Obviously, I have never seen a Romanian-like road here in the U.S. aside from maybe once or twice over 20 years ago in very rural areas.
But yes, there are very poor people here in the U.S., but I don’t think government-everything is the answer. I think one (of many!!!) problems is crony capitalism. And let’s not forget that with its over-grown state arm, Sweden persecutes Catholics like crazy.
elizabeth says
@Jenny: I wasn’t in the south, I went from Washington DC to San Diego trough the Midwest. I did see trailer parks in rural CO that seemed very poor, and the Indian reservations in the south-west looked similarly. Not as poor as the gypsy shacks in central Europe, but not far from that either… and lots of very ramshackle houses with junkyards in front.
@Emily: Local government is government too, right? It’s about people paying taxes so that the government can take care of public property?
@Victoria: It’s definitely harder to be counter-cultural in a country with a big government and a fairly homogenic population. I wouldn’t call it persecution though… Homeschooling is forbidden and private schools are facing difficulties, but it’s like that in many more European countries.
Jenny M. says
Thanks for your reply, Elizabeth!
Victoria says
The way my Swedish brother-in-law explained it to me, if an employer finds out you’re a practicing Catholic, your career won’t progress further and that the government will start looking for reasons to take your children from you. It’s one of the reasons he didn’t want to raise a family there. From where I’m sitting, if a parent isn’t permitted to homeschool, that’s a form of indirect persecution of “dissenters.” Every parent (Catholic or not) has the obligation to educate his own children; it should be up to the parent whether or not he contracts his right and obligation out to a state or public school.
That said, I do appreciate your perspective on American poverty and don’t wish my own points to detract from your illustrations.
elizabeth says
@Victoria: Thank you for telling me this. I have been looking into moving to Sweden. The fact that they have a cardinal now and the Catholic church is growing due to Catholic immigrants moving there seemed very reassuring to me. It’s a stunning country and they do invest so much money in good education and healthcare. But then again, so do other Scandinavian countries and homeschooling is legal there. I have a child with special needs who could benefit from what they have to offer. Many European countries make homeschooling complicated and it’s culturally so frowned upon that homeschoolers are very rare. UK and Ireland are exceptional in this regard.
Leila says
Well, the point of the article, it seems to me, is this: material poverty isn’t the worst fate.
Kiera says
Fr. Pokorsky’s remarks are lovely! So clearly, generously articulated. Sometimes that particular topic is difficult to discuss with folks that differ in opinion. His approach will help. Thank you for sharing his article with all of us.