Chit-chat of all kinds: Ask Auntie: what is this new stage I’m in, Sourdough, Knitting, and more!
Many of the lovely ladies who have been following along since I started here are now getting to be in their 40s, and then they email me (not all, but a lot of them) and ask something like, “How do I make this transition from having littles to whatever this is? How can I remain cheerful?” and actually, much more.
I will try to address the various aspects, but not all at once. Let me offer one thing to think about this week, though.
Maybe 15 years ago you wrote to me or thought of writing something about how few role models there are and how lost you felt trying to build home life, educate your children, and establish a family without that generation further along.
Maybe the women you knew, who were in their 40s then, didn’t understand the important role they ought to have played in handing down their experience. They abandoned or skipped it, in large part this is because so many of them refused to devote themselves to it. They turned away, refused to suffer and sacrifice, pursued what one friend calls “the gold stars” of worldliness. And they were desperate to avoid growing old.
Some saw their marriages fall apart and sought to rationalize what happened, or just became victims and fell away. Some saw their few children grow up as prey for the darkness. A few “got it,” but didn’t know how to communicate what they knew, partially out of guilt and a sense of failure.
So now maybe you are coming up in the ranks of the “aged women” St. Paul speaks of in his letter to Titus, Chapter 2, though of course we prefer not to use that particular word! Maybe you’re not… but you will be!
“The [more mature] women, in like manner, in holy attire, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teaching well: That they may teach the young women to be wise, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, sober, having a care of the house, gentle, obedient to their husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”
It’s you — he’s talking about you. This is truly a matter for prayer: to become, despite all the misgivings and doubts you have, the one with experience who can offer life-giving support to the ones coming along.
We will discuss further!
Sourdough Corner: Troubleshooting
How is the sourdough breadmaking coming?
These are three of four loaves resting in the fridge, ready for baking (the other one is in my other fridge) (I also have a bowl of bagel dough I need to shape and bake!).
It’s always a journey and one is always learning more.
If your bread comes out of the oven okay, but within a day feels heavy and sour, here is something to work on:
You are most likely not allowing it to rise fully in the first stage after you’ve given it some folds of some kind. That first rise is called the bulk fermentation and your dough needs to get pouffy. One test that works pretty well is to touch the surface with your finger. If the dough sticks to your finger, you can let it go a bit more.
The dough should feel airy beneath your hand, but not like it’s losing its structure. Getting this “feel” is a matter of practice! So don’t give up!
Sourdough bread is nice and tasty even days afterwards. It might get stale, but it doesn’t get stodgy, tasteless, or heavy.
In other sourdough news, I made English muffins the other day, and this morning the Chief treated himself to a “Papa’s Special” — toasted English muffin with peanut butter and honey.
It looked good to me, but I make it a “Mama’s Special”: I butter the halves, then put the honey on one side and the pb on the other, then put them together.
He makes his without butter and eats the sides separately.
Bonkers.
As I was saying, sourdough is a journey. I’m trying to nail that English muffin recipe. It needs structure so it has holes (nooks & crannies) — it’s not okay to just serve up a flattish bun! It needs some sugar or honey so it browns.
What is up with these experts making the English muffins like flattish buns, cutting one with a knife*, and then spreading it with some cold butter… no toasting…
…it’s like there are no standards, no pride, no sense of anything at all.
*If you are not splitting with a fork, report to English Muffin Court for your sentence.**
Anyway, so far, this is my recipe. You will note I pencilled in dry milk powder with a question mark. I guess last time I made it without, and I am thinking that was better.
I guess the question mark after BF (bread flour) means I am not sure (of course I’m not) exactly how much I put in. It was likely a bit more.
**The reason the last word here is “split” is that I’ve taken to splitting them with a fork all after they are cooled and before they are tucked in the freezer because someone is a knife-wielding criminal, not naming any names but he knows who he is
I decided I would keep going with my recipe notebook and so far that’s working pretty well:
Knitting and Mending Corner
I started the Sunday Cardigan, got down to the body (about 6″ further than what is pictured there!), and then ripped it all back.
I made some mistake early on that affected the edges and I was pretty sure I wanted to put short rows in the neck and back.
It had to happen.
Now my conscience is clear:
And I’ve put in the short rows:
These are below the yoke increases; the others are just under the neck, before the increases. In total, there are 3 short rows (counting each back and forth as one)! The yarn is that tall.
Basically, it seems like a big difference between the sweaters you buy and the ones you knit has to do with the fit. Short rows build up the back so the neck doesn’t pull down away from the front.
I also adjusted the body width. I think I need the size large for the yoke. I tried on a friend’s that was a medium, and I don’t think it was wide enough (I usually do take a medium, don’t have a large bust, but do want this to be able to close). But large is too roomy in the body.
We’ll see! Trying on again later on! I’m committed to just taking my time and doing it as rightly as I can. It’s a heavy yarn that knits up quickly. I’m learning a lot!
This wool is very sticky and rustic. It will all come together when it’s finished and blocked (soaked in water and shaped to dry).
I also mended my favorite jeans (of the ones that still fit me… yikes). I detest ripped jeans.
This was not difficult at all and I think it’s cute! and needed because it’s been cold and raining. You can see I just gave in and put on one of my heaviest sweaters:
Okay, I think that’s it for now!
bits & piecesLoved this reflection from Emily Finley on the Billy and Blaze books, favorites of my kids back in the day.Common sense reasons why COVID-19 vaccines should NOT be recommended to children or pregnant women — and what needs to happen with the shots going forward
Kids are good at helping around the house. Here’s a nice article about the specifics.
An edgy, satirical TikTok about how hand games (like we were talking about last week) have changed * (you can just watch online)from the archivesAvoid books that “build character” There are some — a few — good books that teach directly, but mostly, books should offer experiences and vicarious adventures with good story-telling and a sound moral basis.How to discern by developmental stage when your child is ready for different kinds of stories
liturgical living
Thursday is the Feast of the Ascension. This day marks the first, historical novena, as recorded in Sacred Scripture.
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