Need to Knead.

Adventures in bread-making, attempt #1.

Looks ready to play softball with...

The bread looks great in terms of color (and I sure did a good job with scoring the top!), but the loaf is smaller than expected.  I haven't even cut it open to take a taste and I know I didn't knead it enough!

I probably should have watched this video first:

Epicurious.com's video on kneading bread.

Oh well.  Hopefully it tastes somewhat decent.  I will make a second attempt next week and will hopefully post a delightful loaf of bread, like my dear friend over at Sachi's Kitchen.  I also used the Cook's Illustrated recipe, but maybe I will try her minor edits next time...

I haven't been blogging much lately, as I've been busy with the new job and holiday travels, but I hope to update more about life in Carson City once the new year begins!

Carson City.

 In honor of my recent return to Nevada:

Top 10  8 Things About Carson City.

1. Only twenty minutes to Lake Tahoe, 30-60 minutes to most of the ski resorts.

2. No state income tax in Nevada (personal, business, or corporate).

3. Low housing costs!  (If you're in the market to buy, you would get a lot of bang for your buck here.)

4. Small town feel, bigger city amenities (see below).

5. There's a Target store. 

6. There's also a Trader Joe's! 

7. Only about 2.5 hours to Yosemite National Park's eastern gate.

8. There is a relaxed pace of life, which is a welcome change from Washington D.C.

I was aiming for top 10...but it may take me a little while to figure out two more!

Working woman. Work, woman.

I am exhausted.  But I'm excited to have begun my new job.  It's been a while since I've worked a standard work day + work week.  My body is trying to get used to sitting at a desk all day long. 

This past week: moved back to Nevada, fit in a few hours of snowboarding, ran errands, worked on grad school stuff, re-entered the work force after 3.5 years of student life, and was thrown into the Northern Nevada cold weather.

Since I'm yawning, I think I will submit to an early to bed, early to rise (with coffee) plan.  More updates on "small town" life to come!

Christmas came early.

But it only came early because my Christmas present to myself (is that allowed?) arrived in the mail today!

I can't wait to try out the America's Test Kitchen/Cook's Illustrated bread recipe that multiple people have raved about to me. 

Man, it's just so darn purdy...