Phaedra's 2025 Journey

[Phaedra]

Homemade bread, homegrown microgreen, and the precious eggs in the winter months - luxrious

The leftover (roots, seed skin) and some sprouts were made into omlette and given to our hens for an afternoon treat - their fair share.

Growing microgreens is such a pleasant activity in cold months, do you also grow some?

 

[baymule]

No I have never grown micro greens. They look tasty.

 

[Phaedra]

Will I see you again?

Last week, I spent 9 Euros and bought two 30%-off bouquets from Aldi and arranged them.

They are lovely, but my intention is something else. See, such a beauty. At least 4.5 Euros spent is for getting a chance to see her again.

Three different mums in this bouquets are all lovely.

The roses are also lovely, so why not?

One for roses

The other for Mums

This year, I didn't bring any transplanted mums back to greenhouse and just left them outdoors. It is too much work to dig them out and repot them, besides, some did survive last winter and sent new shoot when spring comes.

Other potted mums that rescued from discounters - they are usually packed in small pots and sold as multi-color mums in late autumn. After bringing them home, I separated them again and let them stay in individual planters. It's frozen outside, so they stay in the unheated greenhouse.

The last-year stems and flowers were mostly removed, and some already have new shoots from the base.

Also my first trial on Amaryllis 'Happy Nymph'

 

[Phaedra]

No I have never grown micro greens. They look tasty.

They are and can be harvested about 7 days, can be a fun activity to try.

 

[SPedigrees]

Growing microgreens is such a pleasant activity in cold months, do you also grow some?

I have, if the pea shoots I've grown under LED lights count. I was just thinking about starting a batch this year. Do your hens provide you with some eggs even in the winter months?

 

[ducks4you]

Looking for Happy Nymph, finding only Candy Nymph:

and Cherry Nymph:

 

[Phaedra]

Looking for Happy Nymph, finding only Candy Nymph:
View attachment 71810
and Cherry Nymph:
View attachment 71809

Wow, I don't know there are different Nymphs, here is the Happy Nymph

 

[ducks4you]

Love the white streaks!

 

[Phaedra]

I have, if the pea shoots I've grown under LED lights count. I was just thinking about starting a batch this year. Do your hens provide you with some eggs even in the winter months?

Most of our hens entered annual molting in late autumn, and now, it seems they slowly start laying again. This spring, we plan to add another 6 hens

 

[Phaedra]

Captain’s Log, Stardate 78499.8

We continue our exploration of the sourdough galaxy, charting the complexities of fermentation with determination and curiosity.

Today, I made a critical adjustment to the fermentation mission aboard my vessel. To ensure a balanced and sustainable foundation for both Zophie—my whole wheat starter, runny and lacking vitality—and Phario—my rye starter, whose rapid growth threatens to outpace balance—I initiated a significant discard. Both have now been transitioned from their original 7-day schedule to an extended 21-day fermentation plan.

Phario and Zophie

The discarded portions, however, were not wasted. I combined them to form experimental dough ZP01, a hybrid carrying the qualities of both Zophie and Phario. This dough was crafted with no commercial yeast, relying entirely on the natural strength of my starters. While Zophie’s contributions may be weak, I place my confidence in Phario’s resilience to support the endeavor.

Early observations are promising. After two hours resting in a warm environment, ZP01 displayed a commendable rise and structure. The first fold revealed a dough with elasticity and potential. The second fold will take place before I retire for the night, after which ZP01 will begin its overnight cold fermentation in the refrigeration chamber.

I am cautiously optimistic that this experiment will yield a bread worthy of my efforts. For now, I press forward with determination. End log.