Recent content by music-and-ski

I can't imagine making bread in a bread maker "by sight" unless I were to watch the initial knead so I could add some flour or water to get the consistency right. I've pushed the hydration ratio up to 76.5% (vs 74.5%) which is less than 10g difference in the water amount for 280g of flour, only...

We make a small 1lb loaf. Toast at breakfast for two people over two days plus one lunch it's usually gone. If not, I tell the remaining loaf "CROUTONS FOR YOU BABY" since without preservatives they're reaching the end of goodness after 2 days. Getting the prep down to 3 minutes and timing it...

Thanks everyone. Using ChatGPT and advanced searching in Reddit I discovered that the best solution for a crust that is too hard is to decrease the flour. My recipes were calling for a 65% hydration ratio, I bumped it up to 68%, then 74.5%. I'm going to try 76.5% next! The other ideas to cope...

Does anyone have a breadmaker they like? I had a cheap Hamilton Beach that worked well for several years before committing suicide by jumping off the counter. I bought the new model of the same machine and my crusts are too hard now. I'm experimenting with a higher hydration ratio, maybe it...

I bought a Mustang Mach E at the end of 2023. And put chargers in the garage at home and at the ski cabin. It's been great. I got the GT Performance Edition because — BTD!! It's been good for trips in the mountains, and skiing, with its AWD and Micheline X-Ice tires.

You may be surprised to find that printer technology has improved, if you buy a new one for a coupla hunderd you might be happy with it.

You should definitely check to see if any of the nuts are loose after a day or two. I once drove around with a wobbly loose wheel for *way* longer than I should have. But, you can just use your own muscles and a wrench.

MobiMatter (Hong Kong "3" network) has a European data only eSim US$ 22.99 for 20GB of data valid for 30 days. But, it's data only — no phone number. So, you'd have to use WhatsApp or some soft phone/virtual phone service if you want to phone someone.

I don't know Portugal but $2k/month seems pretty lean. It might be ok for living, but occasionally you have to buy a new phone, computer, bicycle, etc. Could you take some sort of part-time employment, perhaps seasonal? Something that's fun? E.g. could work for 4 months and make $2500/month...

It most likely will work. See this: $600,000, 83% equity (100k bonds), $24k spending per year. Inflation adjusted of course...

Yes, I was asking about for 2 people. Sorry for not clarifying, I should have. In my case, I think I could spend a *lot* less travelling as one person, even on a per-capita basis. I see teenagers with backpacks hanging around train stations or entering hostels and I think "wow, those were the...

In my observations of "old" people, buying iPads has been a great use of their dough. Their phones are too small for serious use if they develop and finger or eyesight trouble, and their computers start collecting dust because old people don't want to wander over to the desk to set their bum...

Do you sleep East-West or North-South? I'm 6'3" so can't sleep East-West in a Promaster.

Thanks! I thought I had seen a thread on it but my search somehow failed me.

Can you share your annual travel budget, and how many trips/nights it covers? We're about to retire and wonder what to budget. Based on past history it looks like CAD$25K/year (18,500 USD) could cover two or three 3-week trips, especially if we use home exchanges to get a free week of...