It's 0430 and I am taking the sponges I made yesterday and looking them over. Tonight I make the first bread with the preferment. I also have a starter (sponge) from a friend, that is gloriously active. It will be so fun to bake these off and see how they do. I am in love with this process.
Made an interesting new little quick bread called Ice Cream Bread. I had never heard of it, until someone said their grandmother made it for them growing up. It's very simple: 1 pint of the ice cream of your choice (I used Butter Pecan) and 1 1/2 cups of SELF RISING flour. You gots to have the self-rising or it, too, can chock the Piper Cub at the airstrip...
Came out really well...like a very light, gently sweet pound cake. Perfect for coffee with a little jam. I loved it, it will end up being very versatile.

As part of the Barkery, I am experimenting with some liver rolls on Tanner. He is my golden retriever and reigning Executive Taste Tester for all things dog. They will be fashioned with dough like a cinnamon roll and have a wonderful schmear of liver paste in the middle. Baked off till crispy, these should make any dog do back flips in the kitchen. It's becoming easier and easier to get fully organic ingredients, so it has opened up the world to us for baking the four leggeds cookies and kibble. I went thru my Cajun cookbooks to find a sourdough biscuit recipe that could hold up to a liver center....I will be getting back to you on that.
It's time to go feed the horses. The peppermint cookies are a hit in the barn with everyone except the stallion, Monty. He will be a tough sell, but I still have a sugar cube back up for the finicky ones...

I found tomatoes on my vines this morning...imagine, December...and a big, fat juicy green bell pepper on the adjoining plants. The miracle of life. It never ceases to take my breath away. Planting all my herb seeds this week for their jump start and cannot wait till the heirloom seeds arrive in the mail.
Tonight I tackle sourdough and brioche. Butter and eggs comfortable at room temperature. I am tickled pink.
I'll tell you how it went in the morning.
Be sweet.