Yesterday started with a little excitement—I woke up to find that my wooden UFO lame and round bannetons had arrived overnight! There’s something so satisfying about upgrading your tools, especially when they align with new rhythms and routines you’re falling in love with again. I dove right into the morning routine, then checked on the starter I’d left overnight—it had risen perfectly. I mixed up a new dough, gave it time to autolyse, then got in a good round of slap-kneading before heading out with my husband to run a few errands.

We picked up probiotic yogurt to kick off a new batch of homemade yogurt and a pot for the mint plant I had nearly given up on. It’s bounced back unexpectedly, and I wanted to give it a better chance to thrive. When we got home, I transplanted the mint and spent some time tidying up the raised beds in the front yard. The big trees overhead had scattered dead leaves into the spider plants, so I started to clear them out.

The biggest news of the day? I got permission from our landlord to keep a small number of Coturnix quail! There are still a few steps to take before it’s official, but this was a major hurdle—and a big step toward making a long-time dream come true. I’m excited, a little nervous, and already imagining what their tiny chirps might sound like.

My youngest came home early for an appointment, and afterward, she headed out to play with friends. Meanwhile, I made country ribs using this BBQ rub and mashed potatoes for dinner—definitely a hit. My husband kindly took care of the dishes while I rested. Before bed, I fed the sourdough starter again, keeping the rhythm going.

It was one of those days where everything felt steady and aligned—a good mix of nurturing routines, small joys, and the first real movement toward something I’ve been dreaming about for a long time.