"Vincent van Dough" I can't

I've never tried ginger bug soda. Sounds interesting!

As a kid I remember going to the next door neighbor to borrow a cup of sugar because I wanted to bake something and we didn't have any. When mom got home from work, she was appalled that I had bothered the neighbor and walked us over there to apologize. I was so confused because TV (latchkey kid here, I grew up watching a LOT of TV) taught me that's just what normal people did. Hollywood lies!

@divergentrays Those shows made communities seem like a ragtag group of quirky peeps chomping at the bit to solve all your problems in the next 22 minute time slot! With a jaunty jingle to boot! Thinking about it, I shoulda just questioned TV in general when Tony the Tiger said Frosted Flakes were a part of a balanced breakfast and with the ads saying 9 out of 10 doctors recommend cigarettes for your health 😅😅😅

I can relate, especially when I think about how I thought of work when I was younger. I had ideas of, like, a high-powered career or something. That’s how it is for everyone on TV, so I figured Duh, me too. Except I am just fundamentally not suited for that lifestyle, lol. I’m still figuring out how not to pressure myself to chase promotions etc. Like no, actually I just want my work to fund the more important things

@oppsiedoogle oh yeah, I'm 1000% the same as you, promotions just end up meaning losing my mind over things that are silly. Like have a perfect slideshow by 5 for this VERY IMPORTANT THING or whatever. It's just not worth it. I used to think upward an onwards was best but now I'm like naaaaaaah, I like having a life haha

Baking your own bread is so cool. I've always wanted to get into it, but it's not like I need another hobby. One day!

@oopsiedoodle thank you! I think if you can make muffins, bread is fun to try once you're ready! Hobbies haha... I have been reading about gardening and watching videos about bookbinding, and had to remind myself about the time I thought I'd learn to weave, and to make amigurumi, make my own butter, keep chickens, and... you get the picture! Obviously, deep in my heart I yearn to be a one woman artisan village >.<

I've baked bread before but never sourdough. It sounds fun and is on my "one of these days" lists. You're probably set for starter but did you know about Carl Griffith's 1847 Oregon Trail Sourdough Starter? Send a SASE and they will send back starter that was brought along the Oregon Trail with Carl Griffith's ancestors. https://www.carlsfriends.net/

I so relate! Just this week I learned how to saddle stitch and made a bunch of little pocket notebooks. I also have a loom I rarely use lol

@divergentrays I hadn't heard of this, thank you!!!! I might give this a try. Sending a SASE has a charming vibe, doesn't it? It reminds me of all the magazine ads growing up. I have heard of vintage starters that are popular with the community, like one from Egypt, etc. They say sourdough has terroir based on the air, which makes the idea of these starters a bit fascinating. Plus, special interest haha ^_^

If you send me a self-addressed stamped jar, I'll send you back a glob of the thing in the back of my fridge that used to be sourdough starter and which I am actively afraid of because I haven't touched it in 2-3 years

@skep, I think this is the genesis of a promising cottage industry 😂 is the hooch included?

Is that what it's called??? Uh, I mean it's this concerning dark gray color, but if you want it it's yours

lol yep... that swampy, terrifying substance is called hooch. I am super familiar with it because I'm a flake and always forgot to feed my previous starters 😭 I keep promising myself that I am a changed woman, and I shall no longer allow my starter to make hooch, but we'll see! If you give your starter's hooch a fancy trademarked name and a cool logo, I envision a healthy SASE demand :p

I'm gonna need input from a marketing team because if I name it nobody's going to want to buy it

King Arthur's cornbread recipe gets a lot of compliments, but that doesn't mean it can't be beat! Tucking this away for later...

Summer is so busy, I'm usually more than ready for it to end. I've always used Chiaogoo fixed needles. Not sure if they'd solve your problem with the join or work well for magic loop (I use 9" needles for socks), but I've never had any problems!

I think the worst part is that its so hot, I just want to nap all the time. Then I look at my to-do list in horror 😭 100% waiting for fall now! Ooo, duh! I use ChiaGoo for sweaters and washcloths, it didn't click with me to try for socks! Their needle tips are top tier and the cables are nice. I'll def get one to try out. I started a sock with a pretty mint tweed and the snagging made me meh and I stopped >.<