Yeah I finally tried that sourdough starter method you sent me. It took a bit longer than I expected to get the right consistency but the first loaf came out pretty good. Not as airy as I would have liked but the crust was perfect. I think I need to work on my kneading technique a bit more. The recipe you shared was really helpful though. I ended up adding some rosemary and sea salt on top which gave it a nice touch. My kitchen smelled amazing for hours. I'm going to try again this weekend with a higher hydration dough. Let me know if you have any tips for getting that really open crumb structure. I've been watching videos but it's different when you actually do it yourself. The whole process is really rewarding and I can see why you enjoy it so much.

I also tried a no-knead version that turned out pretty well with minimal effort. The texture was a bit denser but the flavor was great. I think I prefer the hands-on method though. There's something nice about working the dough and feeling it come together. I'll send you a photo of the next batch to see how it compares.

I finally got around to organizing my bookshelf this weekend and it was such a satisfying project. I found some old novels I had completely forgotten about and ended up rereading a few chapters. I also discovered that I have way more cookbooks than I realized. I sorted everything by color which might be a bit basic but it looks really nice. My friend recommended a book club that meets twice a month and I'm thinking about joining. They read a mix of contemporary fiction and classics so it should be interesting. The last book they read was something I had been meaning to pick up anyway. It's nice to have a reason to make time for reading regularly. I feel like I've been so busy lately that I haven't made enough time for it. This could be a good way to get back into the habit.

I also started listening to audiobooks during my commute and it's been a game changer. I get through about a book a week now without even trying. The narrator makes such a difference though. Some are excellent and really bring the story to life while others fall a bit flat. I'm currently listening to a historical fiction novel set in 19th century London and the narration is superb. Let me know if you want any recommendations.