When I lost the use of my laptop computer I decided to embrace the change and make good use of the time I would normally have spent online. Extra dog walks, lots of reading, a little extra cleaning (that one didn't last long) but the reading and walking were enjoyable.
Now that the computer has been restored and secured things are almost back to normal. Almost, but not quite. The extra dog walks are here to stay. Winston is now old enough to be able to do 35-40 minute walks which means that he is able to come on some of my favourite walks along farm tracks, and old rights of way.
One particular route is still out of the question because he can't jump over the stile and there is no dog-friendly alternative offered. He is not a particularly agile dog and I don't want to encourage him to jump over gates or fences anyway, lest he take it into his doggy head to set off on an adventure following the cats into the field around the house.
Once we get home he has a quick rub down followed by a quarter of an hour in his crate, while I sort myself out and catch up with jobs, feed the cats, etc. Then he takes up his favourite sleeping position and is soon snoring.
The bread oven is finally complete and has been fired up a couple of times.
Once the correct temperature reached, the ash is swept out and the bread quickly popped in. Today's recipe was for a milk bread, it rises well and keeps nice and moist for several days. One for the pantry, one for the freezer.
Wishing you all well,
Elaine
I love the look of your oven. The brick work and that solid door give an aesthetically pleasing look. You'll be be baking up a storm of excellent bread and a lot more I imagine. I have heard of a milk loaf but had to Google to be sure. It sounds delicious. I just might have to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteYoung Winston is certainly keeping you fit. He looks very relaxed on his sofa!
Hello Linda, I think George made a really good job of building it for me, now I just have to learn to use it correctly. The milk loaf recipe is one I often use because it keeps really well and makes excellent toast - however, I have just found a source of locally grown and milled wholemeal flour, so I need to work on a healthier loaf.
DeleteWinston is a brilliant walking companion, he takes as much pleasure in walking the local fields as I do although his delight is in 'reading' all the scents.
That dog looks totally whacked! But the bread oven looks great, as do the loaves which came out of it.
ReplyDeleteHello Mary, I hope you are well. Winston is going through another growing phase, he sleeps a lot. He plays hard, eats well, and sleeps for hours. Lucky boy! The cats find him entertaining, he has spiced up their lives.
DeleteEnjoying reading about your pace of life. We dog sat on Tuesday to Wednesday. Maple, the dog, loved to stretch out on the back of the couch where she could kee an eye out the slider and be on watch through most of the downstairs.
ReplyDeleteHello Marcia, We lead a quiet life, but keep busy with our various hobbies and interests; the grandchildren certainly spice things up! Maple is a lovely name for a dog, she sounds like a bright girl.
DeleteNow Winston will be keeping you fit!!
ReplyDeleteI.like that bread oven....
Hello gz, It is a real pleasure to be back out walking the tracks and the fields again - especially on the dry days. Winston tends to be a bit of a mud monster - old Toby Too used to avoid puddles and mud, hated to get his feet wet. The bread oven is due to get another work out, it feels great to be able to use kindling from Owl Wood to bake the bread.
DeleteWhat beautiful loaves and dog.
ReplyDeleteHello Anonymous, Thank you. Winston is a lovely dog, he fits in really well and has brightened our days.
DeleteWinston is growing up well. I'm sure he enjoys the scents from the bread oven.
ReplyDeleteHello jabblog, He is very much a scent on the ground type of dog (so far) up to now he has shown no interest in cooking smells, even meat. Long may that continue!
DeleteI do like that bread oven. Love your final photo - a typically English scene.
ReplyDeleteHello Susan, Those two photographs are taken in fields on either side of the village. Part of Owl Wood is visible in the final one, top right.
DeleteGood to hear Winston is now big enough for a good walk, he looks worn out afterwards!
ReplyDeleteHello Sue, He puts a lot more energy into the walks than I do - he comes home for a snooze and I have a cup of tea and a read. Goodness knows what he will be like when he is old enough to do a proper walk - right now I am trying to stick to the exercise guidelines for protecting his joints.
DeleteYour bread ( and outdoor oven ) look amazing. The countryside photos are lovely too. At the moment one of our much loved local walks in the woods is impossible as there is extensive tree felling going on there, we and the dogs miss it so much, I think we took it for granted 😏
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
Hello Alison, I hope your woodland is still open to you again and that it hasn't been too severely 'managed'.
DeleteI have finally got my hands on some locally grown and milled wholemeal flour so the bread oven will be back in action shortly - fuelled by sticks picked up in Owl Wood - just to keep it all nice and local.