We have had snow on the ground for almost three weeks now. Every time it starts to melt, a fresh batch falls. Yesterday was the sunniest, bluest-sky day we have had in ages, and our roads and yards were finally dry and clear. Spring was definitely on my mind. But when we woke up around 5 a.m. it was snowing, and now at almost 3 p.m. it is still snowing. The thing about living in a small town, though, is that you really don't have to travel very far to get anywhere you need to go, and unless you're on the highway the max speed around town is 35. People here know how to drive on snow and ice, and everyone takes it easy. No one seems to ever be in a rush here, and that's such a nice change from Portland's traffic.
Snowy days seem like the best kind of baking days, and as such I've been experimenting with sourdough. After trying and failing miserably with the saddest loaf you have ever seen a couple of years ago, I decided to give it another try. After several days of feeding, a vigorous starter was bubbling away and my first two loaves came out of the oven looking better than I could have hoped for. I read several different sources before I got started and realized how many slightly different methods there are and how little I know about all of the elements that come into play, but I'm really excited to learn about whole process. These loaves were half whole wheat, but I think I'll pick up some different flours this week to experiment with.
My husband has convinced me to sign up for a knitting class at our local yarn shop. I picked out some lovely yarn when I registered and am feeling good about committing to do something I have always said I wanted to do but have never actually taken the steps to do. I'm a bit (ok, a lot) nervous about the social aspect of the class, but I'm trying to say yes to more things. As a truly introverted person, it is a very big deal to say yes. (I find myself thinking of ways to get out of it, even though I really want to do it. I know.)
As for today, we got our grocery shopping done early this morning, had my Dad over for visit, and then went into town for some very spicy turmeric chai. I'm thinking it's about time to get the starter out to feed, to find a new book to start, and to settle in for the rest of the day. But first, a walk through the snowy neighborhood with my husband. I hope you're enjoying wherever you are today, too. ♥︎
As for today, we got our grocery shopping done early this morning, had my Dad over for visit, and then went into town for some very spicy turmeric chai. I'm thinking it's about time to get the starter out to feed, to find a new book to start, and to settle in for the rest of the day. But first, a walk through the snowy neighborhood with my husband. I hope you're enjoying wherever you are today, too. ♥︎