Birthday Week Bonanza

Well this was definitely a birthday to remember (or not). I mean how many times in your life  would you celebrate a birthday where you're in self isolation, can't gather with friends or family, no birthday hugs (except from your household members), and nowhere to go celebrate? Hopefully only once! So the saying goes, when life hands you lemons...well, ya'll know the rest. But I think I'll make a new saying: When life hands you something sour, make whatever doughy creations your heart desires. So that's exactly what I did! Here's a peek at some of my sour(dough) projects this week as I celebrated another year alive. #quarentinebirthday

Monday

Enjoyed a lovely brunch with the Russian Rye Sourdough I baked on the weekend. 

Smoked Salmon & smoked goat cheese on rye dusted with dill.

Tuesday Birthday

My morning consisted of making pizza doughs for weekly orders, and feeding Ruby and baking a loaf of bread to show my teacher during my 12pm Zoom meeting! She was super impressed with my loaf (honestly this is probably one of the best ones I ever baked!), and my Ruby got a "Whoa, that's beautiful" remark. It was a proud moment for me and I left the Zoom chat after a 1/2hr feeling on cloud nine! Then an hour later I came down...and instantly had a nap.

Feeling totally refreshed after a power nap with Arla, I started into part 2 of my doughy birthday projects: naans.

When Shawn asked me a few weeks prior to my birthday what I wanted to do on my big day, I laughed and said, "By then we'll be in totally lockdown." Well were not 'quite' there, but pretty darn close! Then the next question, "What do you want?" Hmm, let's see...food...and beer.

I told him I wanted an Indian Feast and some local brews to go with it. Check mark.

   

So naturally, I made sourdough naans to go with it. 

Prepped on Monday, made on Tuesday.

Yours truely enjoying an Indian Feast from my favourite local hot spot. 

Yes, that is a DOUBLE order of Onion Bhajia (cause it's my birthday- that is why).

I've never been one for dessert, but figured a special celebration deserves a little extra treat. Shawn didn't seem to mind either;) My mom's brownie recipe now has been slightly tweaked and uses Cocoalicious leftover starter flour and coconut sugar instead of refined ingredients. Somehow in the transferring of ingredients to a new recipe card, I added double the amount of butter/coconut oil? Whoops!!! 

I have to admit, they were probably the most delicious brownies I've ever eaten! lol

Wednesday

NEW project/homework! Stay tuned for blog post on what I'm working on next:)

Also pizza dough shaping day. 

Fermented 24 hours, these are ready to be packaged.

Thursday

Sourdough Pancake Breakfast

...and Pizza Night!

Smoked Salmon, Spinach & Olive w/ garlic, sheep & parmasan cheeses. 

Friday

Delivery Day. Classic, Olive & Rosemary & Cinnamon Raisan Walnut loaves.

 Hey Soap Lady!

Whipping up a few batches Thursday night for the new demand. 

#soapmaker #myotherjob

All in all I'd say it was a wonderful birthday and birthday week.

Honestly, I feel so incredibly blessed to do what I do everyday. To be at home with this time and energy to play and learn and grow, spend quality time with my husband and fur baby, have friends and family that fill my life with so much joy (even from a distance), and to pause.  Pause to listen, to hear my heart beat, to slow down, to breathe, to catch my breath, to learn, to experiment, to help others, and to enjoy all the little things that this beautiful life has to offer. I am truly blessed and feel such gratitude for this amazing gift of time.

From the bottom of my very grateful heart to yours, 

xoheather

Birthday night wish making in the park.