It is actually time for this month’s Share Four Somethings – which makes it feel like the month is almost over. Technically, there is a full week left but I’ll take it. That it is just about time to turn the calendar page. February is the longest month of the year for me. This one has not been as painfully slow as some -and certainly infinitely better than last year! – but, still, I am always ready to say good-bye to February. But, before I do, let’s look at the prompts for this month. (Of course, Jennifer will have the rest of the link-up on Saturday. I will link it here when it is available.) That all said, this past month, I have:
loved – all the valentine fun and cute heart-embellished sweaters, delving into the world of sourdough (which, admittedly, is proving to more of a challenge than I expected), getting my first hair cut in month, planning a weekend away (which will be here in just a few days), and taking the granddog for long walks. This month’s weather has been all over the place but, more days than not, it has been unseasonably mild. No complaints from me! The days are also getting longer. When we leave for church in the evening, it is still light outside. Love it. Apparently, we all love the sunshine and will enjoy any little warm ray we can each day:)
improved – my eating. At least, a bit. I feel like I’ve gotten back on track and, truthfully, it makes a huge difference. I do enjoy (a few too many) breakfasts out with my friends and I’m totally ok with that:) But little to no sugar, plenty of water and better food choices, as a whole, really do make me feel better. Physically. Mentally. And even emotionally. I get so down on myself when I eat poorly. Sad but true. Please tell me I am not the only one! I have also improved my attitude towards walking. Yes, it needs more improvement but you have to start somewhere:)
accomplished – one delicious loaf of sourdough. Yes, just one. I have attempted two more loaves since that first one but the results were more than underwhelming. The third loaf ended up being a treat for the birds! I’m not 100 percent sure what happened but I’ve been trying to revive/restrengthen my starter by watching YT videos for days. I find it interesting that everyone has a slightly different approach for creating and/or maintaining good sourdough starter. Truthfully, so many different “do’s, dont’s and perfect bits of wisdom” all for the same outcome. It is confusing. And a tad frustrating. I am resolved to push on though.
noticed – sometimes (and more often than I want to admit) the “little things” mean more to others than I realize. Certainly more than I appreciate. I have especially noticed this with the kiddos in Junior Church but, after paying attention, I have seen it several times in others as well. Not being hugely sentimental (or I suppose that is one reason), I can easily dismiss things/ideas/routines that seem insignficant or, even to me, overdone or unnecessary. But often those same things are not only looked forward to but they are also enjoyed and even appreciated by others. I have seen genuine disappointment and even a few hurt feelings over the last few months and I am trying to be sensitive to it. With the children and even with the adults in my life:)
I’m thankful for another month. I enjoy these monthly posts when I look back over the previous four weeks. Always a good exercise. Here’s to a nice weekend ahead and a new month ahead – full of possibilities! Thanks for stopping by, friends!
Jennifer, hi! And isn’t it weird that the year’s shortest month always seems like the longest? I look forward to March, April, May …
Meanwhile, that sourdough looks scrumptious … I’d love to share a cup of tea and a slice (or two!) with you.
Good job on the sourdough bread! And you did your good deed vis a vis the birdies with the one that didn´t turn out :).Our weather has been all over the place as well- we were at sixty yesterday! Not bad for February at all. This month is really the one to notice how much longer it stays lighter (since DST takes place in March, in March, the longer daylight is as much artificial as it is natural!). I, too, love all the heart things about February. Congrats on eating healthier and walking more- perhaps the exercise as well as the better eating have led to you noticing you feel better? Food (or exercise!) for thought. Have a great weekend away!
Your bread looks delicious. My sister just got some sour dough starter from our nephew. I’m waiting to see how she does with it to see if I want to try it.
I too found it baffling that everyone seemed to have their own way of keeping their starter alive and thriving and gave up pretty quickly when I couldn’t get it to work properly for me (I figured I really don’t need to start eating more bread anyway! LOL!). I too have been noticing that it’s lighter later and am so happy that February is nearly done because I too often think it feels like such a long month.
Hi Jennifer~ I have struggled with sourdough not looking like, or raising enough, it’s frustrating! I don’t even bother with it in the winter, our weather is just too cold to have it keep well. Your loaf looks delicious!! February can be soooo long! We’ve had really mild temperatures this month, so it’s not quite as painful. I’m looking forward to Spring! Staying away from sugar is so hard… good for you for doing so well! Have a great week-end! Hugs, Barb
Hello Jennifer, It was nice to see your comment on my blog and then to come visit and read your testimony. Thank you for sharing that.
I’m so thankful for God’s love in sending Jesus so we could be reconciled. I was sorry to read of the loss of your dear son. I can’t imagine. It was good to read how God is helping you to live with your grief in his comfort and grace. Blessings!
That loaf looks delicious – just think that if every loaf had turned out wonderfully from the start, you wouldn’t appreciate how difficult a recipe it is! Every good loaf will taste so much better now you know that it isn’t a foregone conclusion that it will be successful 😉
Looking forward to the new month beginning – why is it that the shortest month seems to go on forever?
Hi Jennifer 🙂 Your bread looks delicious! It reminded me of the time a friend gave me a starter for the “Amish Friendship Bread” as we called it. At first I was so thrilled, because the taste was amazing. But then it took over my kitchen and I had loaves coming out of my ears! I was trying to give bread away and the starter and all my friends had some, so no one needed any more. I felt like Lucy in the episode where she bakes the gigantic loaf of bread and it traps her in the kitchen 🙂 I finally managed to freeze and eat all I could and then I had to stop. I’ve never tried another starter 🙂
I’m glad February is coming to a close too.
Have a great weekend!
I have never tried to make sourdough bread or a starter, so I can’t fully appreciate what you are going through. I used to keep an Amish Friendship Bread starter going…one of those things where you share a cup of starter with someone else and back a friendship cake or bread or something…it’s been a long time, and it was always SO good, but keeping up with feeding that starter thing got to be too much for my brain to handle! LOL. Oh, I see your friend Debbie above had the same experience with that! I just now noticed that! LOL. It’s a great idea, but one has to stay with the program to make it work right. meanwhile, yes, spring is coming to a town near you. Here in Florida it has been springy, but still we are having chilly nights/mornings and then sunshiny afternoons. It’s been rather nice to have the cooler temperatures and I don’t look forward to summer, which is usually what comes soon after February. Spring kind of gets lost in there somewhere, but maybe it will linger a while and we can enjoy it. It’s good to hear from you and hope you continue to do well. Have a wonderful weekend.
I understand about feeling down on yourself when you don’t eat as well as you want to. I’m the same way, and I get frustrated with myself for not making better choices, or for not having more willpower. I just try to remind myself that it’s okay to not be perfect, that I will do better next time. Sourdough is quite a learning process – I haven’t made any for such a long time, I’m not even sure my starter will stil be okay.
The bread looked delicious! I’ve never mastered sourdough.
I’m battling my bad eating habits as best as I can…but I lose a pound and seem to gain two back! Frustrating.
hugs
Donna
Hello Jennifer, another super post and a lovely read! Your bread looks wonderful. I can almost smell the aroma wafting through your kitchen 🙂 We have been trying to eat healthier for a while now. A slice of your sourdough would be such a treat!
Good for you for improving your eating! You are an inspiration!
Your loaf of sourdough looks really good, but reading about your experience reminded me of why I don’t try doing sourdough anymore.
I know that I certainly appreciate your faithfulness to your blog and the way that you are so open about so many things. Just so you know, YOU ARE A BLESSING. 🙂
Hugs,
Dianna
Hi Jennifer,
I love your practice of “sharing four somethings” and will need to follow the other Jennifer’s posts! It seems like a good way to review the month. And I admire your courage in the kitchen! I have been planning to try baking whole grain breads, but I guess I become too easily intimidated.
Thank you always for your fun, informative, and inspirational posts.
Oh Jennifer, I am the queen of getting down on myself about eating right. My functional medicine doctor told me I needed to not be so hard on myself, ESPECIALLY when the stress is super high (which is when I eat the worst). I love walking, but not when it is cold outside, LOL. It really helps me to listen to audiobooks! Especially ones with some humor. Then I find I don’t want to stop walking because I don’t want my book to end, LOL! Do you listen to audiobooks? I also feel like February went incredibly fast, but also soooo slow. March is usually the longest month for me because there are no holidays, so no breaks. I hope you have a wonderful week and you enjoyed your weekend away!
Jennifer, your sourdough loaf looks amazing. I’ve only ever tried to make sourdough once, for my daughter’s science experiment, and we gave up after a few weeks. So one out of three loaves turning out sounds great to me!
Your bread looks great. Keep trying I’m sure you’ll be making ALL yummy bread soon.
Visiting today from Share 4 Somethings
Looks like you had a good month! Good for you on trying the sourdough bread, it looks great! I jumped on that bandwagon around early 2021 and didn’t have much success. I’ll stick with buying it. Enjoy March!
Thanks, Pam. So glad you stopped by!!