I finally got around to trying that sourdough starter recipe you sent me last month. It took a few attempts to get the hydration right, but the third batch actually had those nice bubbles forming. I fed it for about ten days before attempting my first loaf, and it turned out surprisingly edible, not too dense, with a decent crust. The kitchen smelled amazing while it was baking. I think I overproofed it slightly because the crumb was a bit tight, but the flavor was there. My neighbor stopped by and I gave her a slice with some butter, and she asked if I had bought it from a bakery, which made my day. Next time I want to try adding some whole wheat flour and maybe a touch of honey to see how it changes the taste and texture. I also read that using filtered water instead of tap water can make a difference because of the chlorine, so I am going to try that next. Anyway, just wanted to share the small win.

Let me know if you have any tips for shaping the dough more tightly. I watched a few videos online but my loaf still spread out a bit instead of holding its shape. Maybe I need to build more tension on the bench before the final proof. I also ordered a banneton basket to help with structure, so hopefully that arrives soon. I will send you a photo of the next one if it turns out halfway decent.

I have been reorganizing my bookshelves by color instead of by author, and it is oddly satisfying. It started because I noticed a few red spines clustered together and liked how it looked, so I pulled everything off and grouped them into rainbow order. Some books are hard to place, like the ones with white covers or mixed colors, so I made a separate section for those. It looks more like an art installation now than a library, which is fun, but I am worried I will never be able to find anything again. I already spent ten minutes looking for my copy of a novel I wanted to reread, only to realize it was in the orange section because of the spine lettering. It might look nice but it is completely impractical. I might switch back next month when I get tired of hunting for things. It does make the room feel brighter though, and it is a good conversation starter when people come over.

My friend suggested I sort by genre first and then by color within each genre, which might be a better compromise between form and function. I might try that next weekend when I have some free time. I also picked up a few new books at a used sale last Saturday, so I need to find spots for those anyway.