Sourdough

Currently: April 2020

It’s crazy to think we’re in the fourth month of 2020 already! Here’s what’s currently going on in my life this month. 

Current cuteness My in-laws adopted a new puppy! His name is Buddy. He’s a goldendoodle and the sweetest little guy! I miss Mavis and Lola both so much, and meeting Buddy filled a dog-shaped little hole in my heart ❤

Goldendoodle puppy

Current laugh Jimmy painted one of our kitchen doors white last week and Malcolm brushed up against it. He suddenly looks very old with his new salt and pepper fur 😉

Current book(s) Still enjoying my guided prayer journal and since we can’t go to the library, I’ve been re-reading books I already own. I’ve been reading this book, which I last picked up in 2012. It feels so different reading it as a parent!

Current baked good Sourdough sandwich bread.

Sourdough sandwich bread

Current blessing God’s provision. Jimmy has been laid off of work, but God has opened a door for me to be able to bring in income through continuing to work for my family’s real estate brokerage and picking up extra work with Instacart whenever I can. These uncertain times can feel stressful, but the more I remember how God always provides, the more I learn to trust Him with my whole heart.

Current obsession Begging Jimmy to let us get a dog. It’s so lonely in the Zottola home without a pup!

Current food Opened-faced egg sandwiches with aforementioned sourdough sandwich bread. The eggs from my aunt and uncle’s chickens. Delicious! I like to top my bread with hummus, lettuce, and parmesan cheese (and of course eggs!).

Egg sandwich

Current prayer Healing for our world with the COVID-19 situation. This is tough, but God is bigger than this. 

Current beauty product Still loving this toothpaste!

Currently looking forward to The next time we can gather with our church family! We’ve been able to watch our services online, but man do I miss everyone! 

Church on TV

Current joy The kindness of others. Our neighbor who has some health issues mentioned that she didn’t have a mask for going out in stores, so I gave her one that we had. It was the last one in a pack that Jimmy used when he worked in our garage. I didn’t think anything of it because I figured she needed a mask more than I do.

Fast forward just a few hours later and I’m at our local grocery store checking out with an Instacart order and the woman bagging my groceries (who I talk to each time I’m at the store) said she was worried about me doing Instacart and not having a mask, so she sewed me one. Wow!! 

Current fun Taking family walks with Jimmy and Sadie. The weather in Pittsburgh has been beautiful lately!

Family walk

Current project Learning to make Paska, which is a Ukranian bread traditionally made for Easter. 

Current excitement The fact that it’s spring! I planted some seeds in a seed tray and some of them have sprouted! If all goes well, I’m on may way to having arugula, swiss chard, baby greens, and corn in our garden 🙂

What’s current in your life this month?

How Are You?

How is everyone doing? I hope this post finds you healthy and happy. We’re doing just fine over here in the Zottola household. We are healthy, we have food, a roof over our heads, and we’ve been able to connect with our families and church family via technology. God. is. good.

I’m just popping in to share some photos and thoughts from our life lately. 

Melissa and Doug Reusable stickers

Some fun activities we’ve been doing while hanging out at home with Sadie girl:

  • Playing with play dough
  • Using re-usable stickers
  • Coloring and drawing
  • Baking and cooking
  • Taking walks around the neighborhood
  • Reading books
  • Chasing each other around the house (though this probably should stop because Sadie fell yesterday and almost bit through her lip… it was quite the bloody mess!!)
  • Playing with toys
  • Watching sign language videos
  • Filming vlogs
  • FaceTiming with friends and family

I baked double chocolate cookies with a bar of Lindt dark chocolate and they have been such a treat. I based the recipe off of this one. Also lots of sourdough action happening around here.

Baking with Lindt chocolate

Sourdough bread in dutch oven

We’ve been staying positive and praying a lot. Like many others, Jimmy is currently out of work. We are making the best of it by trusting that God will take care of the situation, giving thanks for our health, and enjoying the extra time together as a family ❤

Sadie is always a source of joy for us, but especially so lately! She’s just so innocent and sweet and a huge blessing in our lives. Seeing her smile just lights up my day. 

Father and daughter playing in teepee

Mom and daughter drawing on easel by Melissa and Doug

Last but not least, vlogging has been a fun distraction and a way to document this unique time in our lives. I’ve never vlogged on a Sunday before, so it was a fun little project while we hung out at home this weekend!

 

How are you doing?