Bread of Life

 

The second crusty bread I made in 2020

A birthday gift - A Dutch Oven - this was the only way I found to make bread. Then, of course, I found many other recipes that do not need such a specific appliance. The Dutch oven also was a fabulous vessel for home made chicken noodle soup. A big hit with hubby, and his sister. 

Good thing I bought a couple of packets of yeast. Now that the bread is in short supply, flour and yeast are becoming scarce during this Stay at Home Executive Order. The recipe only calls for 4 cups flour, salt, warm water, and a pinch of salt. It does take about 5 hours with all of the rising and resting times. First time I've baked bread since we lived in the condo in Warren, about 20 years ago. 

Goal - to make a focaccia bread this week.

Recipes - 

 Homemade Dutch Oven Bread  This is the one I used with my Dutch Oven

Vegan Focaccia with Tomato and Rosemary one to try in the near future

The first crusty bread I made in 2020 with my Dutch Oven

2020 The World is Shut Down

A moment in time when the whole world shut down.  

For the first time in history, many countries across the world are in lock down. Not due to terrorism or war, but by a virus.  The Covid-19 Coronavirus that started in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Action was taken by the United States in March. Michigan's Governor Whitmer declared an executive order for people to stay home unless they are a critical need person. Doctors, nurses, cleaners are at the hospitals for days and days. Many do not go home for fear of infecting their families. Grocery workers and delivery services are also critical. Initially, my biggest worry was the infrastructure of our utilities. What if people running our water and electricity got sick? The voice of reason came from my dear Merry who said the Corp of Engineers would be there to keep us going. 

Now, it's been a little over a month since all of this affected my life in metro-Detroit, Michigan. From staying to ourselves at work and practicing social distancing, to working from home, to being furloughed and possibly terminated. Nothing official yet. Unemployment has seen a 6000% jump in recent weeks. Over 6.6 Million people filed for unemployment in one week! I am one of them. 45 signed a $2 trillion bill to rescue the economy and help people during this Pandemic. Instead of bailing out just the big companies, like the federal government did in 2009, this one helps the people directly by funding unemployment for workers and gig economy people as well as sending $1,200 per adult (who qualify) as a one-time help. Mortgage companies are offering a three month waive of payments and won't charge late-fees nor alert the credit agencies.  The money will still need to be paid back, but, it may not just be a lump on the fourth month.  Auto companies are also offering similar help.

Anyone reading this now, will think, yes, I know all of this. Why are you writing? I see this in the news ALL DAY LONG! Again, this is a snapshot in time. With no work, no prospects, not structure, I decided to write. Tomorrow will be another day.  Another post. Perhaps something more useful. 

Take care, dear reader,
Stay home, Stay Safe, Save Lives!
April 14, 2020