COMFORT FOODS

CHICKEN POT PIES AND SOUR CREAM CINNAMON COFFEE CAKE

HOMEMADE SOURDOUGH BREAD

It's been a long time since I've made homemade bread.  I remember making a batch of sourdough starter about 25 years ago.  I made sourdough pancakes and bread for a while.  A few years ago I bought another package of sourdough starter but when I mixed the packet, I left it in the garage too long and it turned into a stinky brown liquid.  I have had one package left in my pantry for a long time and decided to try it again, this time with better luck.........

This is the Goldrush Sourdough Starter Packet.

You start out by mixing warm water with the magic sourdough particles, flour and water.

I put a reminder on my frig  so I wouldn't forget to add to my starter.

This is what the started looks like after 24 hours.

And this is after 48 hours.  It is really pungent by this time.

Follow the directions and make your dough.

Let it rise

divide and conquer.

Here are the finished the loaves.  It took a long time to make but I'll have to say it was worth it in the end.  You just can't beat hot and fresh sourdough bread.

PAPER MACHE TUTORIAL

This is a paper mache piggy bank I made for a library display featuring novels about money.  Most of the materials I had at home.  I found the gold plastic coins and oversized paper money at Party City.

I started out with round balloons.  Tape them together using masking tape.  I only had painter's tape around.  I used toilet paper rolls for the legs and taped them in place.

I tear up newspapers in about 3-4" pieces and dip them into wallpaper paste.  Be sure to scrape most of the paster off of the paper before you apply to the form so it doesn't take too long to dry.  Sometimes I will dry with a hair dryer.  Keep applying pieces of paper mache all over the form.

Let the form dry between layers.  You will probably need to add 3 to 4 layers to make it sturdy.

I added a tail using a wire and wrapping newspaper around it.

The nose is made using part of a toilet paper roll.   I taped it on first, then added paper mache around it.

When the newspaper is completely dry, I paint the entire form with gesso.  This will seal the newspaper and serve as a base for your paint.

Now, start painting your precious little creature!

My finished display "MONEY MONEY MONEY" featuring all sorts of books about money.