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.)
My sourdough baking has taken a Great Leap Forward due to the snagging of some of Suki's starter. It's a game changer and leads me to observe that you can have all the skills in handling the dough, all the right temps and times, and still be frustrated, without good starter.
How to get good starter if you don't have it (short of taking someone else's), I don't know. Move to Georgia? Live on an Army base?
The variations in these loaves are due to two factors: my bannetons are slightly different sizes and shapes (affiliate link there) and my oven is still not functioning properly; its heat fluctuates all over the place and I have to constantly re-set it. The repairman is coming yet again but I'm losing hope. Please send info on a home oven that doesn't rely on stupid computers that give up at the slightest stress.
I know you want me to tell you how to make sourdough, but I'm still figuring it out! Do learn to make regular yeast bread (I show much of my method in this post and randomly in other bread posts that can be found in the sidebar), study the King Arthur directions, and follow the sourdough and wild yeast hashtags on Instagram. The best bakers on there have sites you can go to for more studying.
I will try to collect my thoughts on the matter!
On to our links!
- We have vast amounts of a certain weed in the lawn that the children always call buttercups and the adults always correct: “Those aren't buttercups,” but don't actually know the name of. They turn out to be colloquially named fig buttercups — so take that, adults! Their official name is Ficaria verna, formerly Ranunculus ficaria L., or “lesser celandine.”
The children pick them assiduously, which is great, because they should not be allowed to go to seed; and futile, because their number is legion. They are pretty! And the leaves are shiny and low.
- Turns out that the poet Wordsworth wrote three poems about this little flower! Might as well enjoy. To the Small Celandine is the first; To the Same Flower is the second; The Small Celandine is the third.
Lots of medical/health thoughts this week:
- Is marijuana more or less harmless? Is it medicinal? What is to be done about it? Alex Berenson writes about what so few know of the mental illness and violence caused by this drug; Peter Hitchens reviews Berenson's book (not completely favorably).
- It's been rightly said that if your only tool is a hammer, every problem is a nail. This goes for the Pill, too. Gynecologists are trained to remedy everything by prescribing the Pill, or sometimes so it seems! Here is a guide to alternatives for feminine problems. It's a start, at least, to an important conversation about being more discerning in studying the delicate hormonal system that runs our bodies.
- I've been thinking so much about how alone a woman must feel when she receives a diagnosis of some abnormality in pregnancy. Suddenly everyone just wants her to “terminate” and nary a voice is raised to defend the child or offer her help. Does every person need to have superhuman inner strength just to not kill her own child? How many are able to resist such overwhelming forces? Seems like too much to ask! But what can we do? I was heartened to see that this site exists: Be Not Afraid. Just hearing others' stories will make such a difference. How can we make this assistance better known?
And some politics:
A lecture:
- Finally, Bridget highly recommends, as we prepare for Easter, this lecture given at Thomas More College by Dr. Matthew Walz on Death by Incarnation.
From the archives:
Today is the feast of St. Martin I, Pope, Martyr.
Also, it being Passiontide: Do you know of Fr. Willie Doyle, SJ? He was a WWI chaplain, an Irish Jesuit of fervent faith and courage. The site that is devoted to him is posting stations of the cross from his writings, being updated these last days of Lent.
While you’re sharing our links with your friends, why not tell them about Like Mother, Like Daughter too!
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).
Annie says
Yes yes yes! Thank you for linking to Natural Womanhood! I took the leap to become a Creighton instructor after seeing firsthand how much better women’s health can be when doctors actually know how the female body works. It is like night and day! Actual concern for the individual; finding the root of any problem; offering real solutions instead of quick fixes that do do much harm in the long run. Every woman deserves this standard of care.
meg says
I have had enormous success with the Tartine Bakery book’s instructions! Yours is BEAUTIFUL.
Alix T. says
Thank you for posting the link to Natural Womanhood! I really think there are two hammers for women’s issues – the Pill (if you don’t want to become pregnant), and IVF (if you want to become pregnant). After a decade of feminine issues that started at the onset of menses – attributed to drawing the short straw genetically – I finally found Creighton, learned it as part of marriage prep, and saw my first NaPro doctor three weeks after being married. At the time, I found it a humiliating way to start my marriage, making such private things slightly more public. But that was the first doctor that ever gave me hope, and the NaPro doctors I have worked with since then have been *such* a blessing to me that I’m writing them all thank you notes/words of encouragement during the Easter season. And, after seasons of both primary and secondary infertility, I’m expecting my second child – miraculously, while on a break from all the medications that helped me conceive my first. Just goes to show that God and medicine both have their places and are not diametrically opposed.
Annie says
I used the same hammer-and-nail analogy recently when talking with a friend. It is truly frustrating but I have found the same relief with Creighton and NaPro.
Helen says
After marriage, dealing with fertility stuff, was the first time I ever saw an OB, and the standard of care is jaw-droppingly awful. Luckily after a year or so I found a NaPro too! But WOW. I would not have believed how bad normal women’s healthcare is if I hadn’t experienced it myself.
Theresa says
Thank you, Leila!
How yummy! I’ll keep you posted on my attempts!
methylethyl says
Yes on the Natural Womanhood link! I’m so glad that info is out there now, and also a bit sad it wasn’t, when I needed it. I saw a gyn when I first started showing signs of PCOS, back when I was 19 or 20. I didn’t get a diagnosis. I was offered the pill with some generic talk about “a hormone imbalance”. I knew my mother and other female relatives had had an awful time on the pill, and it seemed like I’d brought in a cracked teacup, and the solution I was being offered was a sledgehammer. I declined. Years later, because I needed to lose weight, I accidentally fixed the PCOS by going on a low-carb diet and adopting a regular exercise routine. I didn’t get the PCOS diagnosis until ten years after the first obvious symptoms, and by then I had solved it myself.
It still makes me angry that the solution was so simple, so rewarding (lost 35 pounds, and felt great!), had zero nasty side effects… and none of the doctors I saw mentioned it. Also, anecdotally, I find that women who are able to address the problem early and decisively (and NOT with the Pill) are often able to reverse the facial hair problem. After ten years, you’re out of luck: those follicles will never go back to normal. You can either get electrolysis (expensive!), or resign yourself to shaving/plucking your chin until you’re too old to care.
Anamaria says
Thanks for all the links. I was just talking with someone yesterday about how much her friends OB pushed abortion after a trisomy-18 diagnosis. I really find it crazy- the medical literature even shows how women fare better if they let nature take its course.
All this marijuana stuff is frightening. Oklahoma just voted for medical use with very lax parameters. I voted against but I really didn’t even know how much it’s linked to psychosis and violence. I mean, are we going to have to move to clear creek to stay safe??
Kelly says
Hi, Anamaria.
My husband and I live in Colorado. We, until very recently, were seriously considering a move to Oklahoma, until a couple factors didn’t pan out. Although legalization of marijuana was NOT a determining factor in our decision, we watched with dismay as Oklahoma voted for legalization. We live in an area of Colorado where many folks can go buy 5 acres and house within an easy commute of their workplace. Unfortunately, because of legalized marijuana for recreational use (which, mark my word, is bound to happen in Oklahoma I’d folks don’t wake up, because why stop with a medical reason to get high?), this same area, where one might want to live with their Catholic homeschooler ideals (I’m not disparaging…I’m one of them), is now OVERWHELMING the county sheriff’s office in busts of ILLEGAL marijuana grows. Yes, that’s right. In a state where marijuana is LEGAL, we are being overwhelmed with ILLEGAL grows. The kicker? Many are being run by DRUG CARTELS. So, now we have all the hazards of folks high on pot AND the danger of cartels. For real. I’m not making this up. And, their use of the land (the ability to buy with cash, etc), is aiding in home/land prices climbing. Bye bye idyllic country life. Hello marijuana grow just down the dirt road. But, yay! (Not really), look at all this awesome tax revenue we get from marijuana! And it helps public schools! So, of course! (So goes the schtick).
Thus, our disappointment with Oklahoma in this regards: a state that leans conservative, doesn’t regulate homeschooling, has Clear Creek, etc, etc, yet enough people thought marijuana is a good thing…why??? We hope the more rural lifestyle, close to the monks or anywhere else in Oklahoma, won’t become tainted in the way ours has.
However, my rant aside, for those of us who live in states with legalized marijuana, awareness, vigilance and calm, are still the best in facing the problem head on.
PAX!
Anamaria says
Wow, very interesting! I hope that doesn’t happen near Clear Creek. As I understand, land is pretty much there right now- but it’s also not the most fertile land, so maybe it has that going for it? We live in Oklahoma City, a good three hours from there, so I don’t know as much about it as if we lived near Tulsa.
Victoria says
Or the time an OB tried to pressure me to abort my third baby even though we hadn’t done any definitive testing yet… I was furious! It turned out there was nothing wrong with my baby at all.
Anamaria says
That is terrible! Did you switch OBs? I can’t imagine.
Victoria says
It’s a long story… my OB tricked me into getting genetic testing (I had declined it in writing but I guess they missed that???) saying I was going to the MFM specialist for a different reason, and then it was the MFM specialist who started going on about how my baby wasn’t going to make it and I should stop all treatments and consider all of my options, etc. etc.
We lived in a rural area at the time, and I had already switched from a midwifery practice that had risked me out, so there weren’t any good options left open to me. I ended up having a serious talk with my OB about how I didn’t appreciate being deceived about the reason they sent me to a specialist–they seemed conciliatory at least. They assured me that their practice was pro-life and that they would speak to the MFM specialist before I had to go back for a second round of detailed ultrasounds. I declined the third round. We’ve moved out of state since then and I’m with a midwifery practice for my current pregnancy.
Sometimes, the best policy is to charitably confront people about how they’ve wronged you, if you can, rather than just leaving. It can help someone else in a similar situation later. That takes some prudential judgment, and sometimes we don’t have the “fight” in us, but when you have it in you, I say go for it.
Anamaria says
That is tough but good for you for politely addressing the issue. I usually have a bit too much of the fight in me, so it would be addressing it in a way that allows the other person to actually consider what I’m saying that would be the challenge!
Alyssa says
If you want a stove that doesn’t have a computer, you might want to consider going vintage. There are electric and antique stoves on craigslist that have been functioning since your grandmother was a little girl and will probably outlive both of us. Those who have them generally report that they work better than their modern descendants. Not sure if that’s something you’re interested in, but it’s my jam so I thought I’d mention it. 🙂
Laura in Ontario says
Thank you for the links, Leila. I read the link about cannabis, and sadly, it wasn’t anything I didn’t know…my husband smokes marijuana daily. When we got married I didn’t believe it was a big deal, but after 20 years I understand only too well that it is a big deal. The negative effects it has had on him are obvious and many. I would appreciate so much if anyone reading this can say a prayer for us. I want to help my husband become free but I am not sure how to go about it, especially as he doesn’t see it as a problem.
Victoria says
Praying for you guys.
Laura in Ontario says
Thank you Victoria, I truly appreciate that.
Jennifer says
I actually find this site for sourdough bread much clearer than KAF’s. I really wanted to use only my starter as the leavening, which the KA guys seem to discourage, based on their beginner’s recipes, but all of the recipes on this site use only the starter, no yeast. And it’s such an easy, intuitive “recipe”. (However, unless I’m converting incorrectly from her weights, I need a lot more water than she does–I use 2+ cups for her basic recipe.)
https://www.theclevercarrot.com/2014/01/sourdough-bread-a-beginners-guide/
NY Mom says
Thank you for sharing this fantastic link, Jennifer. Leila’s beautiful bread photos have been so enticing, and I thought with my science-challenged brain I should abandon all hope of attempting sourdough. I just read through the clever carrot’s guide and am thinking it may be possible to at least give it a try. Maybe we can get someone to compose a special “Prayer Before Undertaking Sourdough”. It’s amazing how something so simple and basic can be so mysteriously artful!
Paula Jablonski says
We got a Blomberg free standing oven in place of a slide in. No computers. there are some components that may be computerized, but it’s all knobs. $2700 for a 30″ after all was said & done because we got the 5 yr maintenance plan. I could have spent more(not really in budget but) & probably gotten better-this is the best I could find that wasn’t made in china where the company will be gone in a year. You may have showrooms to view them in around you? We have nothing here in the sticks. I wish you luck. Not a fun proposition.
Leila says
Thanks, Paula! I will look into it!
Kelly says
Prayers and hugs coming your way!
Katy says
I have a range/oven suggestion. I, like you, wanted something with no electronics!! I could not be happier with my Capital Culinarian range. It’s amazing. It has open burners (more like a restaurant — not just a home range that *looks* like a restaurant range), it is VERY cleanable (you can take so much of it apart to really clean). It does plug in (just for the lighter), but just needs a regular plug because it’s not much electricity. I’ve had mine a few years, but got it because it should be fixable for the long term and I plan to never replace it. It is pricey — but, honestly, worth every penny in my opinion.
Culinarian 30″ Manual Clean — https://capital-cooking.com/products/culinarian-30-manual-clean-range-2/
All Capital Products: https://capital-cooking.com/range/
Watch the videos and see if you are impressed 🙂
Eurostoves is a great place to purchase AND to call and ask questions. They are experts on this range: http://www.eurostoves.com/Capital-culinarian-a/160.htm
The only thing that has made me somewhat question my decision has been recently learning about the AGA Ranges — which I think are probably better — if you have room for one! I only keep from feeling regret because I really don’t have room for a 38″ range in my tiny kitchen! But, if you do, I think they look incredible and everything I have read about them seems stellar! More expensive than the Culinarian — but it would look so amazing in your house 🙂
https://www.aga-ranges.com/
I looked and looked and looked several years ago when we were redoing our kitchen and finding a good range that does not have electronics, etc, was really, really hard!!
Leila says
Katy — thanks for the links! I will look into it. Sounds very enticing!!
I have always wanted an AGA, but I will say that for here in the US where the temperatures can get pretty high (and we don’t have AC), I am worried that the AGA would make the kitchen too hot in the summer, since it is always on. It’s great for the UK or Ireland where having that low heat source chases the dampness and chill away. But here…
So probably a good thing I can’t afford one!
Katy says
Thanks for giving me another reason not to grieve that I will never get an AGA 🙂 I’m sure I would LOVE it in the winter with my cold Minnesota kitchen — but even though our summers are not terribly hot, it can certainly get hot enough and I could see that being annoying!
Leila M Lawler says
I guess they do make regular stoves too — I always think of the AGA as the traditional one like this: https://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/ADC3GCLT.html (only $18,000!!). But I guess they make the more familiar range as well.
Let’s just not think about it.
Katy says
Wow!! I definitely had in mind the one you posted the link to — but somehow did not realize it was quite *that* much!! My word!! That makes the Culinarian look positively like a steal!! And, seriously, the burners on the Culinarian are magical!
Vanessa says
Your humor and whimsical writing style are delightful. And your advice is encouraging to me, a forty-five-year-old stay-at-home mom of 3 sons who are 15, 13, and 15 months. Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom and insights.
Helen says
Thanks for the Wordsworth! I love that guy…. The way he uses meter and rhyme is so beautiful. Simple, but not at all sing-song.
Jamie Castillo says
Regarding the pill… there was a period of time where I was considering a diaphragm as an option to prevent pregnancy. We ultimately decided against it, but it was difficult to find an OB who even knew how to do a fitting for one. They are losing the skill.
Chloe P says
I believe Amana may have a range without the computery bits: https://www.amana.com/kitchen/cooking/ranges/p.30-inch-gas-range-with-easyaccesstm-broiler-door.AGR4230BAB
Not 100% certain, as I don’t have this particular oven/range myself (stuck with glasstop electric for now, boo), but I remember Anna from Pleasantview Schoolhouse mentioning Amana as vendor offering a stove of this type!
Love your blog!
Elizabeth says
Oh that plant we call ‘speenkruid’ in Dutch, which literally translated, would mean teat herb. You can use it in salads before it blooms. I have always loved it, because I need early spring flowers to badly. I never thought of it as a weed, I let it run free in the yard.
Lauren Geist says
I was just told about your site, and I’m so glad I was!! Not only am I on a sourdough kick, but I’m managing editor of First Things and it just delights me to see a link to Hitchens’s review of Berenson here. Thank you! I can’t wait to explore more of your blog.
Leila says
Welcome, Lauren!
rh says
One note about your starter – over time your local yeast will displace the yeast in Sukie’s starter. I have 15 odd years of experience in five or six states, and some locations were no fail (ann arbor, boston), and others were never good (new haven, NH), In general cities did better than rural (which I find surprising) Don’t be surprised if your quality declines after a few months and you need a refresh.
Thanks for the links! I heard a grand rounds in a major psych department on marijuana’s connection to psychosis about a year ago – really terrifying if a person has any mental illness in their family.
And on women’s healthcare – every time I move it’s such an ordeal to find a reasonable provider. My last midwife practice knew as much about it as me, and was fairly normal about it! Here in our new area, there are fewer options. And we’re only an hour away.
Leila says
rh — I feel like this is already happening with the starter — waaahhhh
Not fair.
WHY?? It should remain fabulous.