I finally tried that sourdough starter recipe you sent me last month. Took about a week to get it really active and bubbly. The first loaf came out a bit flat but the second one had a nice oven spring and the crust was actually crackly. I used a mix of bread flour and whole wheat and added a touch of honey to the feedings. My kitchen counter looks like a flour bomb went off but it was worth it. The kids ate half the loaf before it even cooled down. Let me know if you want me to drop off some starter for you. I also experimented with a cold proof in the fridge for about 18 hours and the flavor was noticeably tangier. Going to try adding some sesame seeds on top next time.

Oh and I finally finished that book you recommended. Took me a while because I kept falling asleep after the first few chapters but the middle really picked up. I highlighted a bunch of passages. We should talk about it when we grab coffee this weekend.

I went hiking up at Mount Rainier last weekend and the wildflowers were absolutely incredible. The sky was clear and we could see the peak the whole time. We took the Skyline Trail loop and it was about five and a half miles with some steep sections but totally manageable. The snow patches are mostly gone now. I saw a family of marmots near the visitor center and a bald eagle circling overhead. We packed sandwiches and ate lunch at a spot overlooking the valley. My legs were sore the next day but it was completely worth it. I want to go back in a few weeks to catch the late season blooms.

The garden is also going crazy right now. The tomatoes are finally turning red and the basil is taking over its whole bed. I need to make pesto this weekend. The zucchini plants are producing faster than we can eat them so I've been giving them to the neighbors. I tried grilling some with olive oil and balsamic and they turned out really good. Next year I'm going to trellis the cucumbers better because they sprawled everywhere.