I saw you mentioned you were looking for something new to try on weekends. I finally got around to trying that pottery class I kept talking about and it was actually really fun. The instructor was patient and the studio had this really relaxed vibe. I made a lopsided bowl that I'm weirdly proud of. Anyway, if you're still thinking about it, I'd say go for it. The first session was pretty basic — just learning to center the clay and pull up walls. I thought I'd be terrible at it but it wasn't as hard as I expected. The studio provides all the tools and materials so you don't need to bring anything. They also have evening sessions if you're busy during the day. Let me know if you want the details. We could even go together sometime if that sounds fun to you.

I think you would really enjoy the tactile aspect of working with the clay. There is something meditative about it. Let me know what you decide.

I finally tried making sourdough from scratch and it actually worked. I followed that recipe you sent me a while back and the starter took about a week to get bubbly and active. The first loaf was a bit dense but the second one came out with a nice crust and soft inside. I think the key was letting it proof longer than I thought it needed. I used bread flour instead of all-purpose and that seemed to help with the structure. I added some rosemary and sea salt on top before baking and it smelled amazing. I brought some to the neighbors and they asked for the recipe. I told them I'd share it once I feel like I've really mastered it. The process is pretty hands-off once you get the hang of it. Anyway, if you have any tips for getting a more open crumb I'd love to hear them.

I also want to try a whole wheat version next time. Let me know if you have a favorite variation.