Peteyfoozer’s Journey (because journaling’s not enough)

[peteyfoozer]

Directions here are to turn off the highway to Burns and it’s the first ranch on the left.
Omit the part about going around the bend, the road turns to gravel and ruts and there’s 50 miles if it before you see the ranch, top speed is 40 mph unless you want to wind up in the bar ditch…plus there’s the deer, antelope, occasional elk and ALWAYS bovine streetwalkers…

 

[Mini Horses]

That picture -- talk about "nowhere" And miles of it.

 

[peteyfoozer]

That picture -- talk about "nowhere" And miles of it.

We have driven 4 hours to town and passed less than 5 vehicles.

Oh, there is also the occasional wild horses…these had just crossed…

and, the not so wild…

 

[Baymule]

Worst directions I ever got……

You know where that bad wreck was yesterday?

Me-Surely they hauled off all the wrecked cars by now!

 

[peteyfoozer]

Got two loaves of sourdough cold fermenting, 1 for a boule and 1 to try baking in a loaf pan.
Got biga sitting through the night for my first ever ciabatta. I wanted something special to use for sandwiches with the meat off the ox tails, because it is so delicious! I have potatoes already peeled and sliced for ham & potato soup tomorrow night.
I am worn out. I am also pissed because the butcher never contacted me to ask how I wanted our beef cut and wrapped. So we have no roasts and no kidney fat to make tallow, which I desperately need.
Jerks!

 

[Mini Horses]

Call butcher and tell them!! You won't get roasts but, they'll prob be able to give you fats from another -- which they either toss or sell, since many don't ask/want. Get your share.

 

[Baymule]

Call butcher and tell them!! You won't get roasts but, they'll prob be able to give you fats from another -- which they either toss or sell, since many don't ask/want. Get your share.

Great idea!

 

[peteyfoozer]

Ciabatta rising. Anxious to see how it turns out as it was a really different way to make bread!
One boule and a regular loaf pan of SD in the oven, anxious to see how the loaf comes out too.
It’s snowing again.
Glad I DIDNT clean yesterday as Boone has tracked mud in everywhere.
Hope Randy got ahold of boss who is supposed to be heading home from Bend, so he can grab my meds. I don’t want to make the drive in.
Potatoes are already peeled and chopped so making soup tonight should go quickly. Think a slice of SD is enough or should I make a quick loaf of french bread to go with it?

 

[Baymule]

Sourdough and soup? Heavenly!

 

[peteyfoozer]

The ciabatta didn’t rise much because the instructions were wrong, but it was still really good. The cowboys are in the desert, so I invited Tess for dinner. (the wife who buys my bread…actually she trades cutting Randy’s hair for it, since I can’t do it anymore cuz of my hands. She used to have her own shop but now does incredible leather work)
It’s the first opportunity in years to get to talk with someone, even uf she’s only 20 and I can’t hear 80% of what she says…sent her home with a couple qts of soup for when her DH gets back, hopefully in a few days, as she doesn’t cook at all. But her leatherwork is amazing and she’s creative as heck!

I have another Ciabatta that I will bake later today. This one will be awesome. I added some thyme and rosemary to the dough. What I baked today was the best I ever had for dunking in soup. The soup, btw, is really good and super easy to make, plus it’s filling, so in case anyone wants to try it, I will post the recipe. I usually start it in the early afternoon to give it plenty of time for flavors to develop I also cook the potatoes in the chicken broth separately so I can smush them up before adding everything else, for a nice thick soup.

You can halve or double the recipe easily.

Ham and Potato Soup
★★★★★
Ingredients:
7 cups peeled and diced potatoes
6 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 cups diced cooked ham
2/3 cup diced celery
2/3 cup finely chopped onion
4 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
2 teaspoons ground white or black pepper, or to taste
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
10 tablespoons butter
10 tablespoons all purpose flour
4 cups milk

Directions:
Gather all ingredients.
Combine potatoes, water, ham, celery, and onion in a stockpot. Bring to a boil; simmer over medium heat until potatoes are tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in chicken bouillon, pepper, and salt.
Melt butter in a separate saucepan over medium-low heat. Add flour; cook and stir until thick, about 1 minute. Whisk in milk; cook and stir until thick, 4 to 5 minutes.
Pour milk mixture into the stockpot; cook and stir until warmed through.


Source: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/56927/delicious-ham-and-potato-soup/