The light was just stunning, bathing the neighborhood in a beautiful glow. The streets are still deserted, but I saw a few families strolling along Court Street, happy like me, to get outside, even for a bit.
Carroll Park, though closed until further notice, is in full bloom. The redbud trees on President Street near Smith Street are almost in full bloom. It is nice to see that nature goes about her business, no matter the pandemic.
Many stores are still closed, but those that are open seem to keep everyone well stocked. We stopped at Union Market and the only thing that seemed out of stock was flour. Is everyone backing? I now I am.
Below are photos of my sourdough Bâtard bread I baked this morning, and of my apple tarte.
What are you doing during your confinement, dear Readers?
Don't you ever take pictures of say Sackett Street or other streets besides court and/or smith and union?
ReplyDeleteMostly I do, but during a pandemic, I try not to walk all over the place.
DeleteIn your first photo there, just want to say my family is mourning the loss of the flowering tree at the southwest corner of Degraw and Court. You can see the trunk there on the ground, where the city took down what remained after Monday's storm.
ReplyDeleteOn the subject of baking and shopping, I have been a home baker of bread. I've worked with sourdoughs. I've worked with slow fermentations that require scant amounts of yeast and thus make sense in a time of scarcity. What we've decided to do, because we're fortunate to be able to choose this, is to buy bread from local bakeries. We're hoping, as you say, that we can play some tiny part in helping the bakeries be there when this crisis ends. It does mean paying more, but for now, we can. That said, I do daydream about baking bread, I'll admit.
Thank you for keeping going with PMFA. It's a gift to the community.
Thank you so so much. I love how this little blog has been connecting me to the community all these years.
DeleteI did see that cut down tree. I hope the city will plant a new one in that spot soon.
As far as baking bread, I continue to buy my pizza dough at Caputos. Makes the best pizza and freezes beautifully.
I'll gladly put in an order for an apple tart, and a batard!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your updates, Katia.
When this is all over...
DeleteAnonymous at April 14, 2020 4:38 PM and PMFA: where are you buying your bread besides caputo's (and which caputo's for the pizza dough, by the way)?
ReplyDeletei'm ordering online at bien cuit, then stopping by the shop for the quick pick-up.
i'll get the rosemary bread at caputo's fine foods - and load up on fresh mozzarella, grilled artichokes, cavatelli, etc but i digress.
occasionally, i'll pick up a baguette at french tart deli on court street (but, tbh, bien cuit's is better).
it's been a while since i've been to mazzola's - even though they're right around the corner - because they're just not that careful at practicing safe social distancing.
so, i'm curious where else people are getting their bread fix? thanks.
Obviously making my own bread with my sourdough starter. Have been doing so for over two years. I only now feel as though I truly have mastered it, after countless dry, flat breads.
DeleteI buy my pizza dough at Caputo‘s Bakery. You can find it in the refrigerator next to the milk and juice. It comes in plastic bags that you can put right in the freezer. You can actually also bake bread with it in a pinch.
I have been trying over a month to get a live person at unemployment. . Other than that and the panic of no job I have been baking. Cooking. Walking before 6 am and shopping at Mr Plum. My garden is asleep still. Spring doesn’t mean much anymore. I may just dig my grave and lie in it. I have also seen many people without masks. Shame. Shame on you.
ReplyDeleteDon‘t give up hope. This will pass in time. And keep on calling unemployment, even if it is frustrating. I heard of people getting through and getting their first check.
Delete@chance bliss, we're using the contactless delivery at Bien Cuit. New school, I know, but it's good enough to qualify for a neighborhood mainstay.
ReplyDeleteAppreciate the photos of the neighborhood while we are in isolation upstate. Would love to see some photos of 2nd and Court and see if our place is still there!
ReplyDeleteWill try to venture out again soon
DeleteHas anyone received a payment from the IRS?
ReplyDeleteNot yet
DeleteBeautiful pictures!
ReplyDeleteAnyone object to me clotheslining runners who aren't wearing face masks, huffing and puffing everywhere, act like they own the sidewalk and get way to close to me when i'm minding my own business trying my hardest to keep 6 feet away?
ReplyDelete