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Raising Gazorpazorp Part 2
The saga continues!
Tuesday:
The best work day yet. My job interview at 9:30am took an hour and made the day seem nice and short.
No idea how I did, on Tuesdays my brain is absolute mush after a week of little sleep, and this week it was even less than the usual five hours per night because every time Jameson got home from his gig at 1am I'd wake up and we'd share details about our day, then I'd have to work to get back to sleep again. I answered the interview questions as best I could, but I got the impression that it was a formality and they weren't really considering me for this role. I'm not upset, I kind of figured going into this one. My odds are better with the Floor Ops position, which I'll interview for on Friday (after two days of real sleep, so that should go better).
Jameson got his second shot today!
I'm very happy for him! He is taking it easy both because we're not sure if he'll have side effects, and also because it's his spring break. Mine too technically, although I'm still going to practice steno. I like taking it easy. We ordered pizza, then Jameson wanted to see the caterpillars as he's been too busy lately to have a look. You might remember that in the last post I was panicking because I could only find five-ish caterpillars when there had been nine-ish on the plants the day before. Well this time, with Jameson there to help me count, we found eight of them for sure. So they are just really, really small and really, really good at hiding. Those little shits.
There are still some caterpillars in the pollinator garden as well, but I definitely did not see as many. It's just as well, I don't think there's enough milkweed to support loads of them. I saw a large assassin bug sitting on top of a milkweed stalk too, so I'm sure it's making a nice meal out of any caterpillars it sees. This little guy was chewing on some flower buds. I hope he makes it. But if not...nature.
Wednesday:
Jameson had a rough night with vaccine side effects. Apparently it gave him violent chills...he even had to put a quilt on, which is very unusual for him as he overheats easily. The next morning he felt better, but decided to take it easy for the day. That was fine with me. As always, I'm so, so happy for the weekend. I truly need an actual vacation. Never gonna happen. And that's why I make things as pleasant as possible on they days I do get.
I woke up late. I made slow-brewed, fancy coffee with the coffee siphon. I enjoyed warm oatmeal with fruit and maple syrup and spices, topped with Greek yogurt. Then I went out to the garden.
Last week everything still looked kinda sad. This week, things are coming alive.
I was thrilled to see flower buds on my finger lime! Flowers eventually = fruit!!
Equally thrilled that the little Meyer lemon is finally starting to set some fruit! It looks like we'll get five lemons again, although they're going to be ready probably in February of next year.
Even the black sapote has what looks like flower buds. I wasn't expecting it to bloom so soon, it's such a little tree.
The Jamaican sorrel (i.e. roselle) that I'm growing from seed has doubled in height. I'm considering putting one in the yard before full summer hits to see how it does.
New growth on the vanilla is now starting to take off again. I'm excited to see how much it will grow this year!
The passion fruit vine is absolutely DOMINATING everything right now. It is growing so quickly that I can no longer track how many flower buds are on it. Every day I have to tie a piece of new growth to the fence, and pollinate anywhere from 2-5 flowers. There's even a tendril growing along the ground, heading off into the woods. This plant is psychotic. However that does mean a VERY good harvest for me this year! As of today I count a little over twenty fruit in various stages of development, and many, many more buds forming...and summer hasn't even started yet. I'll definitely have to come up with some recipes up in here. Or start selling them...they're $2 a pop at the grocery after all.
Even my half-dead trumpet pitcher plant has created some kind of growth, thing.
I'm not sure what it is, but since the plant is obviously stressed I'm going to assume a seed pot or flower of some kind before it kicks the bucket. If it's seeds I'll try to grow another (expectations are low).
While I was admiring the passion vine, a monarch butterfly came swooping in!
This one was a male (you can tell by two black spots on the lines on his dorsal wings) so no more eggs, thankfully.
He just wanted a snack. He stuck around for quite a while, so I was able to get some great footage.
(There are multiple videos here so be sure to click the little arrow on the right to see more)
After that I came inside and got started on my first kneaded loaf of bread.
It's a plain boule, or rustic white bread, so probably a good one to practice kneading and shaping and scoring and all that.
The yeast is halved and the rise times are doubled.
Once I got it going on a three-hour rest, I had a look at my caterpillars.
Some of them have already molted again, bringing them to their third instar (larval phase).
I swear, every time they molt they are cuter and cuter!
Look at their little nubbin feet! (Again, multiple videos/photos, click the right arrow to see all)
I watered the milkweed and cleaned up their tiny poop, then washed up and got started on a garlic herb butter for the boule.
Using my Kilner butter churn I quickly had a lump of butter, and after dousing it in ice water to squeeze out some of the buttermilk I squeezed and shaped it with the butter paddles made by my friend over at That Old Thing. I did a much better job with shaping the butter this time, practice makes perfect!
When the buttermilk was pretty much out, I worked in some pureed garlic and a variety of herbs, many of which came from my own garden. That was a very satisfying realization! I added a bit of sea salt and put it in a mason jar. Can't wait to try it with the bread!
I continued working on the bread through various stages of kneading and resting, taking breaks for lunch and for goofing off online. I felt guilty for not doing steno, but you know what, it's spring break. And I'm doing a lot...it's just things *I* want to do!
That's also the beauty of not having kids (no offense to people who have them of course.)
I can make elaborate coffee for myself because I've got time to do it, and I know a toddler won't come by and stick their hand in the open flame.
I can spend as much time as I want getting footage of butterflies, because there are no diapers to change or children screaming for my attention.
I can indulge my hobbies, and spend all day working on a loaf of bread, or relaxing on the couch with my under-the-weather boyfriend, because I've already cleaned for the week and there are no children to track in dirt or throw a tantrum or undo what I've done.
For those who want children, I think that's wonderful. If you find joy in bringing another human being into the world and raising it, that is an incredible, probably indescribable feeling.
As for me, I am too selfish for that. There are things that *I* want to do. And I know that life is too short, and no matter how hard I try I won't get to do everything I'd like.
For a person like me, a child is a burden and/or a selfish decision.
Anyway, sorry, my sisters are having kids and my parents' friends still like to ask when I'm spreading my legs, as if it's any of their business. I hate that I feel defensive about my life choices. All of us should be able to choose the life we want to live.
When the bread came out of the oven, it looked pretty good! I always try to have it look like the picture in the book, and so far most of the breads I make do come out close.
With this one, I accidentally proofed the bread with the seam down, which affected the shape.
This was also my first time scoring dough (fancy term for cutting it so that it can expand in the oven) and didn't cut it deeply enough, so it split in different areas. But still, it was crusty and delicious. Especially with the garlic herb butter I made earlier! Argh, I wish I could share it with you!
After dinner I had a big ol' glass of wine, and vacuumed and washed our sheets while Jameson was out picking up the books for Head Over Heels, the next musical he's doing.
Wow, all of that just for Wednesday.
I guess this just became a three-parter.
Tuesday:
The best work day yet. My job interview at 9:30am took an hour and made the day seem nice and short.
No idea how I did, on Tuesdays my brain is absolute mush after a week of little sleep, and this week it was even less than the usual five hours per night because every time Jameson got home from his gig at 1am I'd wake up and we'd share details about our day, then I'd have to work to get back to sleep again. I answered the interview questions as best I could, but I got the impression that it was a formality and they weren't really considering me for this role. I'm not upset, I kind of figured going into this one. My odds are better with the Floor Ops position, which I'll interview for on Friday (after two days of real sleep, so that should go better).
Jameson got his second shot today!
I'm very happy for him! He is taking it easy both because we're not sure if he'll have side effects, and also because it's his spring break. Mine too technically, although I'm still going to practice steno. I like taking it easy. We ordered pizza, then Jameson wanted to see the caterpillars as he's been too busy lately to have a look. You might remember that in the last post I was panicking because I could only find five-ish caterpillars when there had been nine-ish on the plants the day before. Well this time, with Jameson there to help me count, we found eight of them for sure. So they are just really, really small and really, really good at hiding. Those little shits.
There are still some caterpillars in the pollinator garden as well, but I definitely did not see as many. It's just as well, I don't think there's enough milkweed to support loads of them. I saw a large assassin bug sitting on top of a milkweed stalk too, so I'm sure it's making a nice meal out of any caterpillars it sees. This little guy was chewing on some flower buds. I hope he makes it. But if not...nature.
https://instagram.com/p/CND3GSLs7X9
Wednesday:
Jameson had a rough night with vaccine side effects. Apparently it gave him violent chills...he even had to put a quilt on, which is very unusual for him as he overheats easily. The next morning he felt better, but decided to take it easy for the day. That was fine with me. As always, I'm so, so happy for the weekend. I truly need an actual vacation. Never gonna happen. And that's why I make things as pleasant as possible on they days I do get.
I woke up late. I made slow-brewed, fancy coffee with the coffee siphon. I enjoyed warm oatmeal with fruit and maple syrup and spices, topped with Greek yogurt. Then I went out to the garden.
Last week everything still looked kinda sad. This week, things are coming alive.
I was thrilled to see flower buds on my finger lime! Flowers eventually = fruit!!
Equally thrilled that the little Meyer lemon is finally starting to set some fruit! It looks like we'll get five lemons again, although they're going to be ready probably in February of next year.
Even the black sapote has what looks like flower buds. I wasn't expecting it to bloom so soon, it's such a little tree.
The Jamaican sorrel (i.e. roselle) that I'm growing from seed has doubled in height. I'm considering putting one in the yard before full summer hits to see how it does.
New growth on the vanilla is now starting to take off again. I'm excited to see how much it will grow this year!
The passion fruit vine is absolutely DOMINATING everything right now. It is growing so quickly that I can no longer track how many flower buds are on it. Every day I have to tie a piece of new growth to the fence, and pollinate anywhere from 2-5 flowers. There's even a tendril growing along the ground, heading off into the woods. This plant is psychotic. However that does mean a VERY good harvest for me this year! As of today I count a little over twenty fruit in various stages of development, and many, many more buds forming...and summer hasn't even started yet. I'll definitely have to come up with some recipes up in here. Or start selling them...they're $2 a pop at the grocery after all.
Even my half-dead trumpet pitcher plant has created some kind of growth, thing.
I'm not sure what it is, but since the plant is obviously stressed I'm going to assume a seed pot or flower of some kind before it kicks the bucket. If it's seeds I'll try to grow another (expectations are low).
While I was admiring the passion vine, a monarch butterfly came swooping in!
This one was a male (you can tell by two black spots on the lines on his dorsal wings) so no more eggs, thankfully.
He just wanted a snack. He stuck around for quite a while, so I was able to get some great footage.
(There are multiple videos here so be sure to click the little arrow on the right to see more)
https://instagram.com/p/CNFnGSkMIpC
After that I came inside and got started on my first kneaded loaf of bread.
It's a plain boule, or rustic white bread, so probably a good one to practice kneading and shaping and scoring and all that.
The yeast is halved and the rise times are doubled.
Once I got it going on a three-hour rest, I had a look at my caterpillars.
Some of them have already molted again, bringing them to their third instar (larval phase).
I swear, every time they molt they are cuter and cuter!
Look at their little nubbin feet! (Again, multiple videos/photos, click the right arrow to see all)
https://instagram.com/p/CNGJTwbMBzV
I watered the milkweed and cleaned up their tiny poop, then washed up and got started on a garlic herb butter for the boule.
Using my Kilner butter churn I quickly had a lump of butter, and after dousing it in ice water to squeeze out some of the buttermilk I squeezed and shaped it with the butter paddles made by my friend over at That Old Thing. I did a much better job with shaping the butter this time, practice makes perfect!
When the buttermilk was pretty much out, I worked in some pureed garlic and a variety of herbs, many of which came from my own garden. That was a very satisfying realization! I added a bit of sea salt and put it in a mason jar. Can't wait to try it with the bread!
I continued working on the bread through various stages of kneading and resting, taking breaks for lunch and for goofing off online. I felt guilty for not doing steno, but you know what, it's spring break. And I'm doing a lot...it's just things *I* want to do!
That's also the beauty of not having kids (no offense to people who have them of course.)
I can make elaborate coffee for myself because I've got time to do it, and I know a toddler won't come by and stick their hand in the open flame.
I can spend as much time as I want getting footage of butterflies, because there are no diapers to change or children screaming for my attention.
I can indulge my hobbies, and spend all day working on a loaf of bread, or relaxing on the couch with my under-the-weather boyfriend, because I've already cleaned for the week and there are no children to track in dirt or throw a tantrum or undo what I've done.
For those who want children, I think that's wonderful. If you find joy in bringing another human being into the world and raising it, that is an incredible, probably indescribable feeling.
As for me, I am too selfish for that. There are things that *I* want to do. And I know that life is too short, and no matter how hard I try I won't get to do everything I'd like.
For a person like me, a child is a burden and/or a selfish decision.
Anyway, sorry, my sisters are having kids and my parents' friends still like to ask when I'm spreading my legs, as if it's any of their business. I hate that I feel defensive about my life choices. All of us should be able to choose the life we want to live.
When the bread came out of the oven, it looked pretty good! I always try to have it look like the picture in the book, and so far most of the breads I make do come out close.
With this one, I accidentally proofed the bread with the seam down, which affected the shape.
This was also my first time scoring dough (fancy term for cutting it so that it can expand in the oven) and didn't cut it deeply enough, so it split in different areas. But still, it was crusty and delicious. Especially with the garlic herb butter I made earlier! Argh, I wish I could share it with you!
After dinner I had a big ol' glass of wine, and vacuumed and washed our sheets while Jameson was out picking up the books for Head Over Heels, the next musical he's doing.
Wow, all of that just for Wednesday.
I guess this just became a three-parter.