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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. 
Methow Valley Doggie Dash

Starts are very exciting
Methow Valley Doggie Dash
Methow Valley Doggie Dash
A blue kangaroo
Methow Valley Doggie Dash
Methow Valley Doggie Dash
Kids have their own division.
Methow Valley Doggie Dash
Getting psyched up before the race.
Methow Valley Doggie Dash
It is required that dogs and people stay connected.
Methow Valley Doggie Dash
Methow Valley Doggie Dash
Ricochet even raced against the big dogs
Methow Valley Doggie Dash
The really, really big dogs raced in a division named ‘Clydesdales’
Methow Valley Doggie Dash

Even with two dogs, this team came in last in its race.
Methow Valley Doggie Dash
Kristen and Sunshine managed to eke out a victory in this close finish.
Methow Valley Doggie Dash
Waiting for race time.
Methow Valley Doggie Dash
A disppointing finish for this well dressed pair.
Methow Valley Doggie Dash

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Fireworks and Rain at the Ice Rink
MVSTA fireworks for the Olympics
MVSTA fireworks for the Olympics

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Sam warms herself
sam warms herself
Artifacts in the melting snow
artifacts in the melting snow
Patterson Mountain
patterson mountain

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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.
everything should be weighed

This is called a soaker. It was made last night.
soaker
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.
wild yeast starter

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

I like my Kitchenaid mixer.
kneading with a dough hook

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

And here it is after just another minute or two of hand kneading.
after the second knead
Ready for the first rise.
ready to rise
And after the first rise.
first rise
In the pans.
in the pan
Ready to bake. It probably rose just a little too much.
ready to bake
And the rolls ready to bake.
rolls ready to bake
Fresh rolls for dinner!
rolls
Well, there were six……..
rolls minus one
And the finished loaf!
finished loaf

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It’s been a while since she sat in the studio.
Luna