MAKING DOUGH AND BREAKING BREAD - JUST THE CATS' WHISKERS!

Looking at their soft place to land

Shama smiling: "Would I do such a thing?"

"No!  I wouldn 't do such a thing, either!" Said Remy

Socksie and Me...I was 3 years old

Besser Block

I’m having one of  "those" days today.  Firstly, I didn’t want to get out of bed, feeling I could stay in there, snuggled up away from the rest of the world and its inhabitants for eternity. 

In fact, for a while, it was impossible for me to move, anyway, even if I wanted to do so. I was pinned down.  No - not by George Clooney!  Don’t be silly – he’s run off with another, much younger woman despite my many previous pleas of “Pick me! Pick me!”  However, instead of shedding tears over his abandonment (lack of acknowledgement), I wish he and his new lady love all the best.  I think they’re a most suited couple; and I hope they have a happy ending…or start and continuation of their life together….but that’s all by the way…and is not of major (or minor) importance in my life.

Back to the reality of today and my inability to leap out of bed earlier this morning; and to the subject of pinning (not pining); and who the “pinner” or “pinners”, I should say, were.  

Remy, my male cat and his sister Shama were the “pinners-downers”! 

I have two cats, Remy and his sister, Shama (pronounced “Sharma” – my derivative of  “Shaman”. Remy’s full title is “Remy Martin”. I named him after the cognac) both are 11 years old.  Like me, they are Scorpios.  They’ll be12 this coming November.  I’ll be turning a little older, but I shan’t go into details at this stage.  Both of my little mates were three days off turning six weeks old when I adopted them.  It was not only their lucky day, but mine, too.

Remy is no lightweight, I can assure you.  When he was a kitten he looked like a fur-coated besser block!  He still does; just a larger block!

Remy, whose dead weight must be close to a tonne, loves to lay full length on top of me for whatever reason known only to him.  Shama often chooses to get into the act, too; although she is of a more petite build.  This morning was one of those times.

Both use me as their launching and landing pad to and from the window sill above my head, behind my bed.  They also think its great fun to utilise me similarly to leap to and from the top of a tall, cane bookcase over to the side of my bed. 

I have a king-size mattress.  There is more than enough room to land elsewhere other than upon me, but that would be no fun for my furry friends.  There is also room enough on my mattress for the three of us, without me having to hang on for dear life; with only two inches between me and the floor! 

It would be bad manners for me to complain. I dare not disturb these two furry, four-legged rascals!  Oh! No!  That wouldn’t do!  Living on the edge can be so much fun, in more ways than one!

Shama, in particular, gets immense pleasure out of landing on me from the greater height of the cane hutch/bookcase off to the right of “my” bed. 

I see the mischievous glint of satisfaction in her eyes seconds before she leaps (the rare times I do receive some forewarning, or when I accidentally notice what is in store for me).  That same glint is playing in her eyes and body language after she’s almost winded me.  With a flick of her tail, she tosses me a grin and proceeds to wash herself as if nothing untoward has occurred.

Am I nothing but a doormat for my cats?

Eventually this morning I disturbed “those who must be obeyed” and managed to drag myself out of bed. Grumbling, they followed.  Actually, the three of us were grumbling; but, unlike me, they’ve aleady snuggled up and gone back to sleep in their chosen spots for the day.   

An evil thought is playing around in my mind – I should go and jump on them…just as pay-back!  I can just imagine the reaction!  It is best I don’t!

They know they’re loved; they know they are spoiled.  They know who the bosses are.  Please note - “bosses” – I’m out-numbered in this household! 

 I would have it no other way; and I know I’m loved in return by them.  They show it every day in so many ways.

I've had a cat or cats in my life since I was a very young child.  "Socksie" was my first cat.  I've written Socksie's story previously.

As the day has progressed I am feeling more sprightly and brighter than my previous introduction earlier this morning.  Perhaps a soothing hot shower will completely turn the tide of feelings and motivation.

In the words of John Denver, “some days are diamonds, some are days are stones”. 

I think what I need is to make some dough and spread the bread around.

  

Olive Bread: Mix together 750g plain flour, 5g salt, 10g dried yeast, 150g black olives, pitted and sliced, 10g chopped garlic and 25g butter, gently rubbing in the butter a little.  Add 450mls warm water. Knead dough until smooth and elastic. Cover bowl and leave in warm place for 30min. Knead again for a couple of minutes. Shape and place onto a lightly oiled baking sheet. Leave for 1 hour, and then place in preheated 190C oven for 35-40mins.

 Sun-Dried Tomato Bread: Pour 1/4c lukewarm water in a small bowl; mix in 1tspn sugar. Sprinkle 2-1/2tspn dry yeast on top. Set aside to activate. In small saucepan, heat 1c water to 120 degrees.  Add 1tspn salt and 1/2c oil from bottled sun-dried tomatoes. Remove from heat. Add 1-1/2c unbleached flour to the warm water. Stir in yeast mixture with wooden spoon. Continue to stir until dough becomes smooth. Add 1/2c chopped, drained sun-dried tomatoes, 1 large beaten egg, 2tbls chopped chives (and/or basil/oregano), 2 garlic cloves, minced and 2tbl freshly chopped coriander. Place dough on lightly-floured surface; knead for 6-8mins. Add more flour, just enough to make a stiff dough. Place dough into oiled bowl. Cover till doubled. Punch down and let double again. Punch down again.  Place dough on lightly-floured surface. Cut dough in half; allow to rest for 10mins. Shape into 2 round loaves.  Place loaves on greased baking sheet. Cover again until doubled.  Place into preheated 190C oven for 40-45mins. 
 
Molasses Bread: In a bowl combine 1/2c lukewarm orange juice, 2 eggs, 2tbls honey, 2tbls molasses, 1/2c soy flour and a half cup of whole wheat flour. Sprinkle 1 packet yeast on top; stir . Allow to sit for 15 minutes. Pour out onto a floured surface and add the 1/2c cornmeal and 1tsp salt. Mix together. Slowly add 1c whole wheat flour. Continue to mix in the flour till the dough is slightly sticky. Knead the dough for 5 minutes. Place dough into a greased loaf pan and let rise for 1 hour. Bake at 175C for 45 - 50 minutes.

Goat Cheese Dill Bread: Pour 1/4c lukewarm water into a bowl; add a pinch of sugar, sprinkle 7-8g yeast on top; set aside. In a saucepan, heat 1c soft goat cheese on low until lukewarm. In a bowl, combine the cheese, 2tbls sugar, 1tbl melted butter, 1tsp salt, 2tsp dill seeds, 1tbl grated onion and 1 egg; beat everything together till well mixed. Add in the yeast, 2-1/2c plain flour, 1/4tspn baking soda; continue to mix. Knead the dough for 6 minutes. Place into a greased bowl; cover; stand for 1 hour. Shape the dough; place into a large greased pan. Cover; allow to rise again for 40 minutes. Place bread into a preheated 175C oven for 40 - 45 minutes.