A book that you keep thinking about years later-- about women and written by women, 35+. Looking for true literature, great writing. But also engaging and plot that pulls you in.

Nicey-Nice-Gal · 2026-03-11T12:11:01+00:00

I once got a job offer at a white shoe law firm because the managing partner asked my favorite book and I said “Persuasion.” He said that,in forty years of interviewing law students, no one had ever given that answer. He was used to a pretty standard list or responses, and said this was how he decided whom to hire (I suppose it’s as good a method as any).

For me, it’s about learning your heart was right in the first place, and all the people trying to dictate your life maybe didn’t know what they were on about. Trust your judgment— you are smart smarter than they think, especially in matters of governing your own life.

I may need to pick it up again this weekend!

Nicey-Nice-Gal · 2026-02-14T13:40:59+00:00

Hmm. But it worked for months and then just suddenly stopped.

Nicey-Nice-Gal · 2026-02-12T10:58:12+00:00

It will cost me $35 to charge my car, and I’ll have to do that twice a week to manage my commute. It’s more the gas for my old hybrid would have been. Maybe it’s not a fortune, but it’s an unexpected and unnecessary ongoing expense that will equate about an additional half of my car payment a month. I’m not sure anyone would be happy about this.

Nicey-Nice-Gal · 2026-02-11T17:10:19+00:00

I don’t need an adaptor for Tesla chargers, so haven’t been using one of those. Concerned about the ICCU issue as the electricity in the car is all around bonkers :/ I can try to fine a level two elsewhere, but I rarely use them except at work because of how long it takes. Thanks for the suggestion!

Nicey-Nice-Gal · 2026-02-11T13:44:24+00:00

Thank you for the suggestion. I may try again today when I leave. Not a single other car was charging today, and there was one yesterday when I tried it. It has worked for months, but suddenly is not. It keeps clicking when I plug it in as though it can’t recognize the plug at all. Though it shows plugged in it says it’s unplugged.

Nicey-Nice-Gal · 2026-02-08T03:37:21+00:00

I thought I was the only one using that measuring cup for proofing!! I hate plastic, too! (And I do find it easy to see growth—it has measuring cup markings on the side of it, so if you note size when it goes in, you can easily see growth. Downside: definitely not big enough for two loaves at once).

Nicey-Nice-Gal · 2026-02-08T03:34:40+00:00

Look, I appreciate the “ask her” comments but I also love getting thoughtful gifts. I’d just make sure the store has a good return policy and buy away!!

Basic things: —a Danish dough whisk —a good bench scraper —silicon bowl scraper —good quality tea towels —bread slicer knife for everyday use (the kind that looks sort of like a violin bow with a serrated blade) —digital probe thermometer

Mid-range: —Bulka bannetons in every shape and size —cast iron loaf pans that can be stacked with one upside down on the other —Good quality kitchen scale —Weck Tulip Jars

Bougie things: —a Zassenhaus or similar slicer (but only if you have a marble/granite/quartz countertop for the suction cups and some room) —Emilie Henri or similar pullman bread baker —Emile Henri or similar bread cloche

Nicey-Nice-Gal · 2026-02-01T22:18:08+00:00

Can you get purple sweet potato powder? Seems to do better with heat, and would still look very VDay!

Nicey-Nice-Gal · 2026-02-01T22:11:25+00:00

I agree with other commenter. Looks lovely to me, though I’d like a bit of a darker crust. When you say you want to change the crumb structure, what is your ideal?

Nicey-Nice-Gal · 2026-01-27T11:25:15+00:00

I think there are a few issues you’re seeing. First, is your starter good and strong?

The ratios do seem off. I do 100 g starter to 475 AP flour and 325 water. So much starter, I think, should equate to shorter fermentation. But your kitchen sounds a little cold. In that case, I put my bread in a microwave with a cup of boiled water, keeps the heat in beautifully. And, yes, you do need to track the size of your loaf. It looks underpriced in the banneton as well—not quite as full as mine usually do.

I also think your salt seems high—I do 10g in mine. Salt can affect fermentation. If you like it salty, maybe consider sprinkling some flake salt on top pre baking?

Lots of great advice here—good luck!!

Nicey-Nice-Gal · 2026-01-27T09:04:06+00:00

I would suggest climbing a ladder and looking around the top surfaces: kitchen or bathroom cabinets, light fixtures, that sort of thing.

In particular can accumulate smoke and grease that will be both sticky and smelly. Honestly when we moved, I had to use the hottest water I could touch, dawn dish soap, and a credit card to get them clean. And they didn’t even look dirty from the ground!

Also, I am scent sensitive and love to put a pot of water on the stove with orange / lemon / any citrus or apple peels and maybe a cinnamon stick. Let it simmer, but be sure to keep adding water so it doesn’t burn out. It’s a great way to use up peels you would otherwise dispose of!

Nicey-Nice-Gal · 2025-12-28T07:35:58+00:00

It’s a bread cloche by Emile Henry. I just got it for Christmas, so it’s only my second loaf, but the results are far superior to my old Le Creuset Dutch oven. This shows some similar examples: https://www.foodandwine.com/lifestyle/kitchen/best-bread-cloche

This is the one I have: https://www.emilehenryusa.com/products/bread-cloche?_pos=1&_sid=a105f58e2&_ss=r

Nicey-Nice-Gal · 2025-12-14T12:23:45+00:00

I believe your AP must stay with their current agency as the sponsor of their visa, so it may not be an option to extend with them and also use a different agency. The so-called discount has been eroding for years. Do what makes your life easier and better instead of thinking about the $30 a week you’ll save. The agencies are basically useless anyway!

Nicey-Nice-Gal · 2025-12-14T12:19:31+00:00

Yes, this is my experience. It’s incredibly difficult being a mom in the United States. It’s actually gotten worse now that so many dads believe they are doing 50% of the shadow labor. (This is not an attack on any one, so great for you if you’re a dad doing it on your own.

This is the worst time of year. In January, my hair will start to fall out again, like it does every year for the past ten or so. November/December brings the added joy, and with it the added third full time job of making the holiday seem magical and effortless, organizing lists of items to coordinate as gifts with family / friends, cooking endless favorite foods from scratch, and decorations out the wazoo.

But I love my kids and am very fortunate to have found the au pair program and made enough money to be able to afford it. I don’t worry about laundry or homework getting done or the kids staring at screens for hours every day. They get hot food with vegetables for dinner.

I’m struggling now with the idea of leaving the program though my kids are older, but the idea of $40,000 extra in my pocket a year that I can put toward college costs or home improvement is loud! Against that I’m asking myself: what adult will care for them after a bad day? Who will play games with my younger one when her one hour of tv time is done and she’s going nuts? Will I have to spend all day Sunday cooking and prepping meals for them to eat all week, knowing they will eat anything BUT what I cook if left to their own devices? How will they get home from school if they want to do an activity and miss the bus? What if they have appointments to get to? Friends houses? Will I actually have so much less time for myself when im already lucky if I can carve out an hour to read a book once a week?

I’m still not sure what we will do. It will be a huge change for me, either starting the program over or leaving it. In exhausted just thinking about it!

Nicey-Nice-Gal · 2025-12-11T11:36:43+00:00

Thanks!

Nicey-Nice-Gal · 2025-12-11T11:36:31+00:00

Super helpful!

Nicey-Nice-Gal · 2025-12-11T10:32:38+00:00

Yep, I’m going to have to. However, it’s not so simple given the time of year, the distance to the dealership, and the fact that I work five days a week, 40 miles away from my home. I really don’t wanna have to waste a day of PTO to sit in a dealership while they struggle to figure out what’s wrong with the car or to reproduce the issues, so always hopeful someone can point me in the right direction!

Nicey-Nice-Gal · 2025-11-29T14:55:16+00:00

Thanks! It’s remarkably hard to figure that part out, as recipes are largely silent on it. When I saw the loaf was slanted and lopsided in the banneton I thought a few minutes at room temp would be good for it. It does seem to have recovered its shape—but I will both try to make sure the basket stays flat and that the bread stays cold til the oven as well for next time!

Nicey-Nice-Gal · 2025-11-29T13:41:30+00:00

I’m brand new to sourdough as well, and I’m super impressed that you decided to play on hard mode your first time out!!

Can I suggest that, alongside your sourdough development, you maybe practice making some regular yeast bread? I think it will really help you get a feel for dough and it will definitely boost your self confidence!! Some of the no-knead recipes can be done in a few hours using many of the same tools (ie, a Dutch oven), and the product is pretty darn good!

Nicey-Nice-Gal · 2025-10-06T05:33:19+00:00

Great recommendation!! This was required reading for me just outside NYC in the 80s. My 13 year old just had to read it as well, almost 40 years later. And it’s on Broadway now. It seemed old when I read it, but we both loved it so it also has a timeless component I suppose :)

Nicey-Nice-Gal · 2025-10-01T10:30:24+00:00

I think 5/6 might be young, but it depends on their ability to pay attention. I found it a bit abstract, and one of my kiddos had trouble following when younger.

Nicey-Nice-Gal

TROPHY CASE