The most frequent misconception

The most frequent misconception about our land in New Mexico is that it is hot. We live in a steppe in the Northeast corner of New Mexico at an elevation of 6,000 feet above sea level. The climate is cold arid. We have four seasons, all of which are distinct. Here are a few photos from this autumn and winter 2014/2015. It's not what we'd call hot!

Autumn 2014 (November)

 

Winter 2014/15 (December/January)

February 2015

Sourdough: The Final Frontier

My first sourdough loaf, crispy crust and simply beautiful...to me! My first sourdough loaf, sliced and waiting for butter! The starter is nothing more than 1/2 cup flour and 1/3 cup water mixed in this jar and the same amounts added every 12 hours until it starts to get that lovely bubble! Simple as that. Sourdough pretzels It's been a long time coming, bringing the fine art of sourdough leavening to our home. Now it's finally here, we are all excited at the new taste and nutrient adventures open to us! Traditional leavening means no reliance on store bought yeast and changes a loaf of bread into a giant vitamin B supplement with a plethora of other available nutrients.  It also neutralises whatever is aggravating about the grains, as they are soaked and treated in the age old way...and we LOVE age old ways maashaa Allah! As for my resource for the starter and dough recipe,  I used Nourished Kitchen, :

Self Discovery Exercise through Poetry

I am  (2 traits that describe you)
I wonder if  (what do you wonder?)
I hear (what sounds fill your ears?)
I see (what visions fill your head?)
I want (what desires fuel your actions?)
I dream (what might your dream?)
I worry (what bothers you?)
I feel (what do you feel?)
I am (2 different traits that describe you)

You can see my completed poem over at Mai to the Extreme in the post, Looking Inward...