Fibermania

Wait a minute, isn't this November?

I guess my rhododendrons just couldn't wait another minute to show off how pretty they are. Our dought and recent rain must have convinced them that Spring has arrived. Actually only one of the three has blossoms. The other two are staying dormant. But in the 'spirit of the season' I decided to garden a bit yesterday, or at least try and find a spot that I could garden in. We have a lot of space, which is inhabited with weeds, especially wild raspberry canes. Ferocious mean scratching things. I wore shorts, like an idiot and now have striped legs, but many fewer raspberries.



Not having a plan in mind, I figured just clearing the weeds would be a good start, so the pond area was my target.

O it looks so green and lush here, but now only the tree is left, and all those nasty canes are piled high in the dumping area of the property. What is not visible in this picture is the steep slope going down into the pond (on the right). Both Dave and I are grateful to have stayed dry and on land while cutting back this scourge. I would have taken pictures of the result, but it was getting dark, and we were worn out. (OK the truth is, it was cocktail time.)

I am still making bread on a daily basis, and freezing it, since I know one day I will no longer feel the 'thrill of the rise'. I save a bit of the dough from the batch as a starter for the next batch. Each one is as sour as the last.

And yes the dough is very sticky and gooey. Not the kind you think of when you knead bread. Still it makes a perfect loaf and sometimes a perfect coffeecake.


This time I sliced up an apple and added a struesel topping to the loaf. The crumb top is oatmeal, sugar and butter, as if we needed any more...But what a difference in the finished product. I will never be able to repeat this but I'll always have the memory...or at the very least the hips.