Bread My sourdough starter is routinely making bread now! I thought it was a non-starter for a bit there, but added some rye flour to it and the yeast finally took off. I'm starting to get to the point where I figure out how a long slow ferment works into my day. This shit is worth it. I didn't use this recipe to make the starter I am using, but did use it to make a back up batch when I thought the first attempt was dead: http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/233/wild-yeast-sourdough-starter I can confirm that thefreshloaf procedure works. The pineapple juice had the backup starter lifting in three days, and skipped the musky smells stage that the other starter got bogged down in. Starve The Beast I need to renew my driver's license, but it is a pain in the ass. I took Tuesday off last week, and rode my bike over to the place. I got there a bit after 11am, and was told that the line was full for the day. They close at fucking 4:45pm. So now I'm out a day's worth of wages, and still no license. I was told I should text a number and put myself in line without actually being there. Which is great if A) you have a cell plan, and B) you have a car to arrive there rapidly after you get told to show up. I really want to just say "fuck it" and let the damned thing lapse. I don't own a car. I don't drive. I hate driving. But I keep it for emergencies. And voting. And beer.
Most of the things I've read suggest just getting a starter from someone... I think that's in line with sourdough tradition: get some from an old tried & true strain and pass it on to your grandkids. I found this group http://carlsfriends.net/ which will send you a starter if you send a stamped envelope to them. It was recommended by http://www.sourdoughhome.com. Both websites seem a bit dated, but look like they have good info. I just mailed a request this morning, and I'll report back if you or keifermiller are interested my "starter-by-mail" experiment.