Dog Days of Summer

We had planned to go to a Jamboree to sample different foods from black-owned restaurants last weekend, part of Black Restaurant Week here in Madison, but it was postponed due to rain until this Sunday.  Because of that, it will be in a different location farther from home and the weather is questionable so I'm not sure if we'll go tomorrow.  

We considered going to Schenk Corners Block Party last night, but instead went out for dinner then to a neighborhood bar for drinks.  Still, a good night out for us.

Mom came up to the house last week.  She had a gathering at her brother's just a bit south, so wanted to make the short extra trip up to see me and Kate.  We set up our screen gazebo tent in the driveway, grilled out dinner and enjoyed a nice visit.  I'm glad she made it up to the house as the big city traffic can get pretty nuts so she tends to stay away, and I don't blame her.  My next visit down to see her will be next month, sometime during my vacation.

Today was to be partly sunny with scattered strong storms, and indeed it has been all overcast and very wet so we will not be going to Eken Park Fest this afternoon after the Packer game, nor the previously mentioned block party tonight.  Instead we will be staying in and I'll be watching the Brewers go for a franchise-record 14 wins in a row.

Starkweather creek, from this morning's walk.

A bit disappointing after having bigger plans, but the rest is needed and even welcomed.  I even napped for the last half of the Packer game today, waking up to another storm approaching and scuttling any plans outside the rest of the afternoon.  I'm not sure what similar events are left yet this year, but that's okay.  It feels like we are entering the dog days of summer.

Sunflower and afternoon rain and wind today, dark enough at times for the garage lights to turn themselves on.

Not a lot new here, otherwise, at least nothing that I want to discuss here.  The sunflowers continue to grow and bloom, and ordinary life continues.  Mostly drama-free, which is good but doesn't provide much writing fodder.  Blissfully mundane, I guess you could say.  

The Brewer game is about to start, so that will be most of my evening.  Hope you are well.

Saturday Picture Post +

Plus commentary, that is.

My wife and I spent time on separate chores this morning, mine at home and hers more unexpected and difficult.  By early afternoon we were able to be done and go out for a nice, but very filling lunch together, then relaxed at a pub for a few drinks before coming home to watch the Brewers win their game and extend their lead in the division, league, and all of Major League Baseball.  

'Chuffed' isn't a word often used here in the US, but seems to aptly describe our pride as fans of our small-market team doing so well.  It's happened with our different Wisconsin teams at different times, but it's always really nice to look at the standings and see your team on top and enjoy it while it lasts.

AtwoodFest 2025

It rained off and on though mid-day Saturday, so it was very warm and humid when we ventured down to the eleventh AtwoodFest early that afternoon.  The skies remained cloudy after we arrived, and we did feel a raindrop here and there.  A shower would have felt good in that humidity, but Sunday was to be much hotter (and indeed it is sunny and feels like 96ºF outside right now) so we wanted to visit this day.

For the most part I tried to keep my phone in my pocket and not think about taking pictures, but I did take a few.  It looks similar to past years, but the food seemed to be all on one side this year and the main stage has been in a parking lot off the street about halfway down for the last couple years.

I was having a mild flare-up so I did not partake in any food cart goodies.  We spent a couple hours walking, looking, watching and listening before walking home as the sun came out.  We're thinking about an evening visit next year, just to see what that's like.  Today I'm just resting and fasting, watching the Brewers hopefully get a win.  Happy Sunday, everyone.

Saturday Picture Post

Fete De Marquette 2025

We've talked about coming to Fete de Marquette in years past, just have never made it until this year.  McPike park is relatively new to Madison, established about 10 years ago, and creates a nice open space near downtown Madison.  Initially, it was even called Central Park.  There is a skate park and some facilities, but mostly it is open lawn (a very well-kept lawn compared to other parks) with few trees mostly on the border.

We went about mid-day on Saturday, early enough that it wasn't too crowded.  The skies were mostly clouds and there was a good breeze.  We spent a couple hours, then left as the clouds started to break up and the sun made it very hot.  Atwoodfest is coming soon, and so is Eken Park Fest in August.  There are more but we'll just have to see.

A few more pictures after the break.

Cacio E Pepe Rolls

My wife's latest choice for me to make from King Arthur's Big Book Of Bread - Cacio E Pepe Rolls.

This appears to be a recipe reminiscent of a classic Roman pasta. It's a salty, peppery dough with pecorino Romano cheese.  Once baked, they are also tossed in a topping of salt, freshly cracked black pepper, pecorino Romano cheese and olive oil.  Big flavor in these rolls, half of which have been frozen for another day.  They took about 4 hours to make, start to finish, and was a good baking exercise even if I never make them again.  I can't wait to see what she chooses next.

Happy 4th of July, 2025

Sunflower Update

I started with 24 seedlings, using seeds from my 10-foot sunflower of two years ago.  Of those, one didn't escape the shell so it's tiny leaves died within and another got pulled out of the ground by something several days after it was planted.  That leaves 22, two of which broke in heat and high winds yet they still thrive.  I noted earlier that we had a hot spell, well, that hot spell has mostly continued for us the last few weeks.

It was a beautiful, sunny afternoon today so I decided to take some sunflower pictures to share an update, most of which will be after the break, if interested.

Starting in the corner by the house, porch and steps there are two clusters of three sunflowers.  In the one on the left is one of the broken stems.  It fell forward, but I leaned it back, and that is where it still is leaning on the cage but growing well nonetheless. 

My Basic Flat Bread Recipe

Basic flat bread has become a staple in our household, we always have some on hand in the freezer.  We use it for homemade gyros, sandwiches, personal pizza and I've even had it as the bun for sausage.  My flat bread recipe was taken from a ToYoube video, but I can't remember which otherwise I would link it here.

I did have to modify it a bit and convert volume to weight.  The smaller weights are trickier with scales, I've always read, so generally I do also use teaspoons and tablespoons but I can provide the weights here as well.  I remember it took a couple tries before I finalized it, but now I've been using this recipe for quite some time and we've been very happy with it.

240g hot water (115-118ºF or 46-48ºC)

370g all purpose flour

1 tsp instant yeast (~3g)

1 Tbsp olive oil (~13g)

1 tsp salt (~7g)

Combine and mix all the dry ingredients before adding to the wet in a mixing bowl, I normally use a spatula until no dry spots are left, then on a KitchenAid mixer using the dough hook, mix for about 5 minutes on medium-low setting 2.  If you don't have a mixer it would be kneading by hand for about the same amount of time, I presume.  Form into a ball and place into an oiled bowl, covered, for 1 hour or until the dough has doubled.

Empty the dough onto a lightly oiled work surface and divide into 8 equal pieces.  I try to keep the round shape from the bowl then using a bench knife or bowl scraper, divide it like a pie into 8 pieces, adjusting if necessary to make them all about the same size.  My note says about 80g each, but I normally just eye it up.  Form each piece into a ball by pulling the corners in, then turning it over and rolling it in a cupped hand.  Set them aside and cover with a greased plastic film for 10 minutes.  (Sometimes I skip the cover, doesn't make much of a difference since the outside should be a bit oiled, anyway.)

While waiting, preheat a dry, non-stick pan to very hot; your stove may vary so adjust as necessary.  Again, on a lightly greased surface and rolling pin, roll the dough into a round shape about 1/8 inch thick (3mm).  Carefully transfer the dough using the rolling pin to the pre-heated pan.  Right away while that first side is cooking, roll the second flat bread out and by the time you're done the one in the pan should be about ready to flip.  After a few minutes remove to a cooling rack and cover with a towel.  You're looking for good browning and 'leopard spotting,' but the pan is hot so be careful not to burn.  Repeat this process until complete.

They are delightful to enjoy right away or, once cooled completely, freeze them to preserve the freshness.  They thaw quickly, still fresh and pliable for whatever you may need.

Thank you, delcatto!  This was interesting, let me know if I left anything unclear.

Solstice Fire Pit & Fougasse

It wasn't much of a firepit, but last night I did have a small fire to commemorate the summer solstice.

When I started the wind was 9-10 miles per hour, normally the top of my limit for having a fire since usually the winds lessen steadily after sunset.  But last night the winds were to increase as night came, blowing in some very hot weather for the next few days for us.  Anyway, I got an early start and pretty much just burned the fallen branches and sticks that had accumulated, not even taking the cover off the firewood rack.  It didn't take long until the bigger stuff had burned down and began smoldering.  Smoke was starting to blow everywhere so I had to put the lid on it, which I rarely ever do but it works well to suffocate it at times like this.

Today I tried a new recipe picked by my wife from King Arthur's Big Book of Bread, an Olive-Rosemary Fougasse.

The dough felt good, but was a bit sticky so my first attempt at shaping leaves leaves a lot to be desired.  It came out very tasty, crusty outside with a light and airy crumb.  Not bad, and I may try this again with different flavors.  The recipe called for semolina as the bench flour, so I got some for the first time and I like it a lot.  I may try it for pizza and peel instead of parchment paper next time.

I have another recipe from the book that I may try tomorrow, an everyday wheat bread.  I still use the frozen, store-bought bread dough for my work sandwiches, and sometimes my own flatbread, but I need a good sandwich bread recipe in my repertoire.