Friday Finds on Mackinaw Road, Take 7: Planes, Bread, and a Reno Revelation
“Food matters because it’s one of the things that forces us to live in this world– this tactile, physical, messy and beautiful world– no matter how hard we try to escape into our minds and our ideals. Food is a reminder of our humanity, our fragility, our createdness.” Shauna Niequest, Bread and Wine: A Love Letter to Life Around the Table with Recipes.
Perhaps the same could be said of Travel.
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It seems that wherever I turned this past week, the topic was airplane behavior. From the Chris Loves Julia podcast to the Today Show to the Travelogue podcast, everyone had opinions and insights into airplane etiquette.
I have to say that I related most to the discussion about kids on planes on the Chris Loves Julia podcast. The gist is this … just be nice. We are all trying. Trying to keep our kids from kicking the seats in front of them, trying to tolerate the kicks, etc, etc. Let’s just act like a community and be kind to each other. Kids are part of our society, they are learning, parents are trying… let’s just cut each other some slack. Chris and Julia are considerably more funny when talking about this, so please please have a listen here. Also discussed is whether you take the opportunity to board early if you are traveling with children? I like for my children (and me) to be on the plane for as little time as possible so often wait to board. What are your thoughts and strategies?
While we are talking about mild annoyances, Travelogue had a podcast this week about different types of travelers and discussed each, including… “the pungent foodie, the arm rest hoarder, the inattentive parent, the Chatty Cathy,” etc. Take a listen and let me know your thoughts… Have you sat next to one of these travelers? Or are you one?
Another fun little tidbit came on the Today Show, where there were claims that the seat you choose on the plane (window, middle or aisle… well, not middle…nobody chooses the middle) reveals something about you. Check that out here. Which seat do you typically choose?
On a completely different note, it’s getting cold (still). Last week, I shared a favorite soup recipe here. This week, I have an accompanying bread recipe. This is an incredibly easy recipe, it just takes a little planning ahead. And all you need is water, flour, yeast, and salt. I’d recommend buying this book by Shauna Niequist, with all of its delicious recipes and amazing insight, including this bread. I’m not a bread person… as in yeast scared me for the longest time (I’m not at all frightened of flying but, yes, am very scared of yeast). But this bread changed all of that. Spread some Boursin cheese on its warm crustiness and you are all set for those chilly winter days. Of course, I didn’t follow the directions exactly, so here is my version…
Ingredients: 3 cups of flour, 1/2 tsp of yeast, 2 tsp of salt, 1 1/2 cups of water
Directions: Mix all of the above ingredients together with a wooden spoon and then your hands. Roll into an imperfect ball, place in a mixing bowl, cover with a tea towel, and wait.. and wait.. and wait.. for about 12-14 hours. When you can’t wait anymore, heat the oven to 450 degrees and place an empty Dutch oven with the lid (I use this one) in the oven. While the oven and Dutch oven are heating, take the bread from mixing bowl and coat with flour. Sprinkle some flour on the counter roll it into a ball and make sure it’s covered in flour. Once your oven beeps that it’s ready at 450 degrees, take the Dutch oven out, put the bread in, lid on, and pop it back into the oven. Wait for 30 minutes, take the lid off, wait 15 minutes more (watching it so the top doesn’t burn), take it out of the oven, slice it, slather it in Boursin cheese, and enjoy.
And for a cabin renovation update…. here is a little progress shot of the kitchen 🙂
BEFORE-ish ( we had already taken out all of the furniture, appliances, and cabinets):
Somewhere in the MIDDLE (paint, lighting, doors):
Now to decide on a cabinet paint color…
That felt like a lot of random information– if you want to save it for later, here is a pin.
16 Comments
atravelingtribe
So much GRAND information this week! Am making a note of the podcasts…just need to find time to listen! 🙂 Note – we always take advantage of the “early board” if we can…the last thing I want to do is be tripping over everyone else with my 4 children, our 100 bags, a baby strapped to my back, and someone crying because they wanted the window! That extra time is JUST what this mama needs to take a deep breath, to measure just how far the bathroom is from my seat (you know, to plan my escape from all things parenting), and to get the kids settled in with a special snack/game/toy/activity/app that will hopefully keep them occupied until we are at least 20,000+ feet!
Mackinaw Road
Haha- thanks, friend! 🙂 You would love the Chris Loves Julia podcast for sure! One thing they mentioned that I hadn’t thought of was to have one parent do the early board with all of the “stuff” (bags, car seats, etc) and get all set up while the other one waits to board with the kids… I’m not sure which is the better job, though- ha! We’ve been missing you and your family – they have come up multiple times in the past couple of days 🙂
Chasing Krista
So much information,this is awesome! also that bread is making me drool! and love the color theme you ended up deciding with!
Mackinaw Road
Thanks so much, Krista!
evilsmiley88
Now that you shared this, I realized that I can make my own bread at home. It’s great that the recipe only consists of four ingredients. Also, I can’t wait to see the photos of your kitchen once the renovation is complete!
Mackinaw Road
Thank you so much! Yes- I love recipes that only have 5 ingredients or less (it increases my odds of actually having them in the pantry). And I will definitely be sharing “after” photos, although it feels like it may be forever until the kitchen is complete and I am able to share them.
erinklema
Funny, I noticed a similar trend lately with discussions on travel behavior, but from different sources. I read a few articles on either Conde Nast Traveler or Travel + Leisure’s website. I used to pick the window seat so I could take photos of the view. Now, I care more about comfort. The aisle allows me some space. Plus, I don’t mind getting up for others, but I hate having to ask someone else to move for me. On a long flight there is nothing worse than needing to use the restroom and feeling trapped in your window seat because the stranger next to you is sound asleep. I think the article I read said that frequent travelers prefer the aisle, so I guess I’ve made that transition from occasional to frequent traveler. 😉
Mackinaw Road
Hi Erin! Yes- I’m the same way… I get nervous just thinking that I may have to wake someone up to use the restroom!
Lianne Bronzo
That bread looks great and easy! Yum! I love listening to podcasts so will check those out!
Mackinaw Road
The bread is so easy- I love it!
Sherrie Fabrizi Allbritten
Lol, loved this article. I have to clink on some of your links and find out what kind of traveller I am, Window up front, don’t talk to me- especially early morning flights. Will check out the podcast too!
Mackinaw Road
Haha- I’m with you! Don’t talk to me before I’ve had at least 3 cups of coffee… on a plane or at home 🙂
mayuri
That bread on the featured image is making me hungry! Such a unique blog, glad I came across 🙂
Loved reading about your travel and reno journey!
Mackinaw Road
Thank you so much for the nice compliments!
evagabrielacontreras
What a great mix of information, Marta! Flying is something that I enjoy when my husband and I are alone. When we travel with our daughter, I stress so much about so many things (is she kicking, pulling hairs, too loud, is she sick, is her tray table clean, should I wipe it again?…) that I’m a nervous wreck by the time we land :))))
As for the bread recipe, sounds easy enough that I’ll try it. I guess if you leave the dough over night it might be easier to be patient (for me).
Love your cabin update as well, and your mood board as well. Let me know if you need help deciding on cabinet colors 🙂
Mackinaw Road
Hi Eva! I completely agree with you about flying with a spouse versus including children– there is definitely much more to worry about when kids are involved! And thank you so much for the offer to help with colors! I’m just finishing up a draft for a post out later tonight and have included some color options~ can’t wait to hear your thoughts!