Shortly after we moved into our house last fall, a phone rang. Funny, we don’t have a home phone. Turns out there’s a 50s-era phone ringer built in to the wall near the entryway. It has a nice brass plate…
Shortly after we moved into our house last fall, a phone rang. Funny, we don’t have a home phone. Turns out there’s a 50s-era phone ringer built in to the wall near the entryway. It has a nice brass plate…
I learned something about living bread last night. Yes, bread is alive. So are beer, yogurt, and many other tasty things. I made a rustic olive bread which requires a sponge to be made a few days ahead of time. …
And by “we”, I mean me. And I shouldn’t have said tricks. I meant illusions. As I’ve mentioned in this space before, my long list of pseudonyms is mostly an annoyance to my wife and to my office manager, who…
Nothing says rejection like making dinner from fresh ingredients, serving it warm to someone, spooning it into their mouth, and watching them pinch their face, open their mouth, and scrape the food off their tongue before flinging it on the…
Like the 15 million people on this planet who have both an internet connection and seven minutes of free time, I watched Susan Boyle sing “I Dream a Dream” on Britain’s Got Talent. As someone with deep Scottish roots on…
I stepped out the front door this morning and smelled fresh air. It was blustery yesterday, and spat rain in the evening to the surprise of everyone including the weather forecasters. This morning large clouds were hovering by the sea…
Last night I started reading Peter Reinhart’s Crust and Crumb: Master Formulas for Serious Bakers. Now I know I’m ready to move to the next level. I’m ready to make better bread and do it the professional way. I…
I realized recently that making bread could be more than a hobby. I’ve been bringing bread into work and giving it away to our neighbors, and I always hear how amazing it is to have fresh bread. Looking at the…
My weekly pool cleaning job has been getting more frustrating. I don't know if it's because it's windy or what, but the surface of the pool looks like a shag rug. There is so much pollen, dead bugs, leaves, dust,…
My cell phone rings yesterday and it’s the San Diego Blood Bank: “We see that you gave blood last year and we’re running very low on your type.” “How low?” “Less than a day supply.” “Can I come in on…