ME II: Sunday bake

· Maine Event

Today was cold and windy. It was a sweater plus a puffer kind of weather. I don't think it ever got quite this cold last year so it is super fun. All the farmers that are inland and further North are talking about an imminent freeze. Tonight is predicted to be 38°!! It seems like it was warmer last year. It also seems like the leaves are farther along at the beginning of October.

Today we were mostly around the house cooking and making bread. Rye bread in the style of Rugbrøt. While the bread was rising we cooked black beans for later in the week. We also made rye crackers since I had the rye flour out. Laundry was happening during that and we were done in the afternoon. We got a little walk or two in and made dinner. More or less a relaxing day. It's fun to bake bread and making rye bread is easier than whole grain sourdough.

The trees are turning here and there and it is clear that Fall is here as there are tons of birds everywhere. Flocks of 20-30 sparrows and nearly every turn. Additionally, there are fat squirrels and skinny squirrels all with their jowls packed as fat as possible as they run around the city. It is a delight to be a part of the change of the season. The change here is luxurious and is a slow slide getting colder and more winter-like at a gentle pace.

Happy Flowers on a cold windy day.
Choppy waters in the harbor.
To-da!
Cats of Portland
This is the soaker from last night with cracked rye, cracked wheat, flax, and sunflower seeds, and I added (nontraditional) pumpkin seeds.
Flat pasty rye bread unrisen and is sort of like cement and it's not clear that it will rise.
Improvised bread proofer as it is chilly here.
Fat risen loaf, ready for the oven.
Final result. We can eat it tomorrow with Riga Sprats and cornichons.
Cats of Portland 2.
The second brick house with the vines growing on it is the house where my friend the Red Oak of Spring street lives.
Check out the size of this tree. It's just a sideyard tree. I think it is a European Beech.
Cats of Portland 3.
Relax, it's all going to work itself out.

Have an inspired evening.

Sending love, Tawnia

Exciting bird list for you today:

  1. Herring Gull
  2. Blue Jay
  3. House Sparrow
  4. White-throated sparrow - big flocks of these are starting to appear
  5. Mourning Dove
  6. Black-capped Chickadee
  7. Double-crested Cormorant
  8. Downy Woodpecker
  9. White-breasted Nuthatch
  10. Red-shafted Flicker
  11. Eastern Phoebe
  12. American Three-toed Woodpecker
  13. Yellow-rumpled Warbler
  14. Northern Cardinal
  15. Tufted Titmouse
  16. Great Horned Owl - First owl we've seen in Maine. Came in silent over the western prom at sunset.