A couple of weeks ago I wrote about making sourdough bread, and promised to update on the results of my attempt. I’m pleased to say that I’ve made several successful loaves of bread since then. Here is my first one. Its major flaw is the very tentative cut across the top. I was afraid to Read More…
Author: Jennifer
What if Good Enough Were Good Enough?
About a month ago, a strange feeling came over me. It was a strange sort of happiness with the idea of my thesis being good enough. Now, for years I have ended many a project with the reminder to myself, ‘It doesn’t have to be perfect.’ So I have handed in many an imperfect, but still Read More…
A Course in Sourdough Bread
My thesis has been consuming most of my time for the last few weeks, so housekeeping has been minimal. However, now that I am in quite a final stage (yikes!) of my thesis, I felt relaxed enough to catch up on things today, including laundry and some potted plants and getting my sewing machine fixed. Read More…
Getting Things Done on a Thesis (Coffee Break)
Here I am, taking a coffee break in the midst of my first round of thesis proofreading. I wanted to discuss something I mentioned a long time ago, namely how I’ve been trying to implement some new strategies for organising my PhD work, based on the book Getting Things Done. I’ve discussed this book at length already Read More…
Pattern Drafting and a Blouse
I haven’t mentioned it yet, but since the new year I’ve been drafting my own sewing patterns. My mom gave me a pattern drafting book called Make Your Own Dress Patterns for Christmas, along with a fitting session to get a basic pattern fitting me well so I could use it as as a sloper (a basic Read More…
Two Reflections on Being Organised
I always do some organising in the new year. Recently in particular, I was reviewing the current state of my thesis and making a detailed plan for everything that needs to be done before I finish. In doing this, I’ve been recalling some of the principles I learned from David Allen’s book Getting Things Done. I Read More…
Some Vintage Knitting
I have finally knitted a wearable sweater! I found this 1950s pattern in a local charity shop, and bought it because I’ve always wanted to try a vintage sweater pattern. In fact it was very easy to knit, and I did big portions of it watching TV and on the train into London, nearly finishing Read More…
How to Get Rid of Things
One thing I enjoy about January is the chance to reorganise, de-clutter, and generally take stock of my commitments and routines. I enjoy these things anyway, but January feels like the time of year when re-evaluation is most appropriate, and I don’t feel guilty devoting some time to these activities. The part I have the Read More…
I’m Back! And (Surprising) DIY Successes
I’ve been absent for a while, I know – mainly due to travelling, illness, and then simply having gotten out of the habit. I actually think about blogging all the time, and am often jotting notes for posts I’d like to write, but often feel too tired by the evening to sit down and write Read More…
Recipe Alteration and Pumpkin Bread
Look what I found at Whole Foods on our recent shopping trip: My American friends will recognise this very comforting product. Overpriced as it was, I was delighted to stock up with a few tins of this and am hoarding some until Thanksgiving. However, I wanted to use one for some early autumn baking: pumpkin Read More…