Epic Friday

My appointed activity for Friday was the Stollen for Christmas. Last year, I made it a week or so before we intended to eat it, and it didn't seem fully ready yet, so we're starting early this time. My levain had expanded nicely overnight, so I went to work. The first step is to make a very dry dough with the starter, flour, sugar, salt, and milk. Then, about an hour later, I added quite a lot of butter. That step is hard to work with, because until the flour absorbs the butter, it is very slippery and doesn't stretch in the usual way. I think it went better this time than last, but it was still a mess for a while. Eventually I also added in soaked fruit and almonds, and shaped it into something resembling a dough. But after six more hours it had expanded nicely, and now it's in the oven baking, and it looks like it will be good. We didn't use marzipan this time, since we don't have any and the kids don't like it.

In addition to baking, I spent time reading, playing games with Eric and Lydia, juggling, and walking to Ken's with Colin. It was a generally rainy day, but we had a dry moment when we went out to get more whipping cream and some ice cream for those who avoid pie.

For dinner, Nicole made salmon with turkey bacon, green bean casserole flowers, and maple glazed tofu. We had more stuffing and cranberry sauce, as well.

After dinner, we watched The Two Towers, with a break for dessert. I had forgotten whole sections of this one, especially when Frodo met Faramir.