As seen from my kayak near the mouth of the Okanogan River.

February and it feels like Spring.

A couple of lensbaby images

Late winter, early spring, mud sesason.

The Methow Valley Doggie Dash

An annual six legged race with a costume contest held at the Town Trailhead in Winthrop. There are divisions for kids and adults and big dogs, little dogs and very big dogs. Yesterday's snow conditions were less than desirable however it may have given the competitors a more even playing field, so to speak. 

Starts are very exciting

A blue kangaroo

Kids have their own division.

Getting psyched up before the race.

It is required that dogs and people stay connected.

Ricochet even raced against the big dogs

The really, really big dogs raced in a division named 'Clydesdales'

Even with two dogs, this team came in last in its race.

Kristen and Sunshine managed to eke out a victory in this close finish.

Waiting for race time.

A disppointing finish for this well dressed pair.

MVSTA Fireworks celebrating the Winter Olympics

Fireworks and Rain at the Ice Rink

Late Winter Early Spring

Sam warms herself

Artifacts in the melting snow

Patterson Mountain

Bread making

Making whole grain breads has always been a challenge for me. Recently I picked up Peter Reinhart's book on the topic and decided to try again. Using only Bluebird Grain Farms whole wheat flour, I came up with a pretty acceptable loaf and some good rolls too.

Reinhart says it's best to weigh all ingredients.

This is called a soaker. It was made last night.

This is the wild yeast starter, also made last night and incorporating a starter that took most of a week to get started using only wild yeasts.

Here the two batches are chunked up to go into the mixer.

I like my Kitchenaid mixer.

Here is the dough after the first knead, resting for five minutes.

And here it is after just another minute or two of hand kneading.

Ready for the first rise.

And after the first rise.

In the pans.

Ready to bake. It probably rose just a little too much.

And the rolls ready to bake.

Fresh rolls for dinner!

Well, there were six........

And the finished loaf!