Building a Starter & Baking Parker House Rolls at Home There’s something deeply satisfying about baking with a sourdough starter. It’s part science, part ritual, and part intuition—and once you’ve worked with one, it’s easy to understand why people keep starters alive for decades. At Shookhill Secret, we’ve been baking bread with sourdough starters for over twenty years, and our current starter is more than six years old. It lives quietly in the refrigerator, gets fed regularly, and shows up whenever we’re in the mood to bake something comforting and familiar. That said, we’re also the first to say this: maintaining a sourdough starter is not for everyone—and that’s perfectly fine. Baking should feel enjoyable, not stressful. Whether you want to dive deep into sourdough or simply dabble, there’s room for both approaches. What Is a Sourdough Starter, Really? At its most basic, a sourdough starter is a mixture of flour and water that captures wild yeast from the environment. Over time, with regular feedings, it becomes active enough to leaven bread naturally—no commercial yeast required. The result is bread with more depth of flavor, better texture, and that subtle tang sourdough is known for. Starters are wonderfully forgiving. They don’t need perfection, just consistency. And once established, they can be incredibly resilient. Two Ways to Get Started If the idea of starting from scratch feels intimidating, here’s some good news: you don’t have to. Option One: Borrow a StarterThis is our favorite shortcut. If you know someone who bakes with sourdough, ask for 30–40 grams of their starter. That small amount is enough to get you going and often produces faster, more reliable results. We share ours with friends in the area all the time! Option Two: Make Your Own StarterIf you’d like to create one from scratch, it’s surprisingly simple. Basic Sourdough Starter Recipe Day 1: Mix 50g bread flour with 50g water in a larger glass jar with a lid. We use King Arthur Unbleached Bread Flour. Stir, cover loosely, and let sit at room temperature. Days 2–5: Discard half the mixture each day. Feed with 50g flour + 50g water. Stir and loosely cover. By day 5–7, your starter should be bubbly, active, and slightly tangy-smelling. Once it reliably doubles within a few hours of feeding, it’s ready to bake with. Feeding & Maintaining Your Starter We keep things simple. If baking frequently, keep your starter at room temperature and feed daily. If baking occasionally, store it in the refrigerator and feed weekly. The goal is to keep it healthy—not perfect. And remember: if sourdough feels like too much work at any point, it’s okay to step back. You can still bake beautiful bread with commercial yeast. Our Favorite Way to Use a Starter: Parker House Rolls When it comes to gatherings (like our Superbowl slider sandwiches), holidays, or cozy dinners at home, Parker House rolls are a go-to. Soft, buttery, and comforting, they’re the kind of roll everyone reaches for twice. Using sourdough starter adds depth of flavor without making them overly tangy. Sourdough Parker House Rolls (Overview)These rolls are enriched with milk, butter, and eggs, making them tender and lightly sweet. The dough is folded before baking—classic Parker House style—which creates that signature soft center. We typically make the dough earlier in the day (or even the night before), let it rise slowly, shape the rolls, and bake just before serving. The aroma alone is worth it. Whether you use a long-loved starter, one borrowed from a friend, or a brand-new starter you made yourself, these rolls are a beautiful introduction to baking with sourdough. Why We Love Sourdough—Without the Pressure Sourdough baking doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can bake occasionally, feed your starter when it suits you, and still enjoy the process. And if today isn’t the season for starters, that’s okay too. Baking should feel grounding, not demanding. For us, sourdough is about slowing down, using simple ingredients, and sharing something warm with the people we love. And honestly, that’s what Parker House rolls, and baking bread in general, are all about.
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Chasing the Northern Lights…
How to Plan a Winter Aurora Trip to Iceland. If seeing the Aurora Borealis has been quietly sitting on your bucket list, winter in Iceland is one of the very best ways to make it happen. There is something magical about this island in the colder months — snow-dusted landscapes, steaming geothermal baths, long twilights, and skies dark enough to let the northern lights truly shine. Planning a successful aurora trip does take a bit of intention, smart winter packing and careful consideration about activities. With the right timing and a thoughtful itinerary, your trip can feel surprisingly relaxed. We’ve found that winter travel in Iceland rewards those who plan well but stay flexible, and that balance is what makes the experience unforgettable. When to Go: Timing Is Everything To maximize your chances of seeing the aurora, we recommend scheduling your trip around the New Moon phase. With minimal moonlight, the sky is at its darkest — exactly what you want when hunting for northern lights. Winter nights in Iceland are long, which increases your viewing window, but weather always plays a role, so it’s best to think of aurora sightings as a wonderful possibility rather than a guarantee. Flights to Iceland are often overnight, especially from the U.S., which means you’ll likely land early in the morning. Instead of pushing through exhaustion, we’ve learned that planning a restorative first day makes the entire trip feel smoother and more enjoyable. Day One: Ease Into Iceland After arriving at in Keflavik, take advantage of the duty-free shop if you plan to purchase alcohol — it’s far more affordable here than once you’re in the country. From there, rent an all-wheel-drive vehicle, which is essential for winter driving outside the city. We recommend heading to the Blue Lagoon, located just 20 minutes from the airport. On the way, stop at Kökulist Bakery for a hot coffee and pastry — a simple but comforting way to start your Iceland adventure. A few hours soaking in the geothermal waters, enjoying the swim-up bar, saunas, and silica mud masks, is the perfect way to reset after overnight travel. It’s no surprise this iconic spot has been recognized by National Geographic as one of the world’s natural wonders . Afterward, continue into Reykjavik and check into your lodging. We recommend renting an apartment with cooking facilities (through Airbnb, VRBO or a similar platform). This is also a good time to stock up on groceries at stores like Netto, Hagkaup, Bonus, or Kronan. Dining out in Iceland is expensive, and having snacks and easy meals on hand gives you flexibility throughout the trip. Day Two: Exploring Beyond the City With limited daylight in winter, we recommend using each day intentionally. The southern coast offers stunning scenery along the Ring Road — waterfalls like Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, glacier views, and hidden geothermal pools. Packing snacks and warm drinks makes these road trips more comfortable and allows you to linger when the scenery demands it. On the way we recommend making a quick stop in Hveragerol, a town known for its volcanic and geothermal activity due to its location between the American and Eurasian tectonic plates. We recommend going to the Sunnumork shopping center and seeing a demonstration of the plates in action, doing some quick shopping for reasonably priced Icelandic gifts and grabbing a coffee and a donut at the patisserie. Not far from the Seljalandsfoss is Seljavallalaug Hot Pool, a free off-the-beaten-path hot spring with a changing room. If time allows, there are also other interesting stops like the Solheimasandur Plane Wreck (a DC-3 plane that crashed on the beach back in 1973), Solheimajokull glacier and many hiking trails. For aurora viewing, seek out areas with minimal light pollution and a clear northern horizon. National parks, waterfalls, and remote stretches of road can offer spectacular views — always making sure to pull off the road entirely. This allows you to view the aurora safely and remember to be prepared for changing weather conditions. Day 3: Golden Circle & Local Experiences A visit to Þingvellir National Park is a must, offering dramatic landscapes, historic significance, and excellent aurora potential. One of our favorite daytime experiences is lunch at Friðheimar, a tomato farm and greenhouse restaurant that feels both cozy and uniquely Icelandic. Pair that with a soak at the Secret Lagoon, Iceland’s oldest swimming pool, for a more local geothermal experience. Day 4 – Enjoy the city of Reykjavik Reykjavík itself is full of charm — from iconic landmarks like Hallgrímskirkja and the Sun Voyager sculpture to cozy cafés, bakeries, bookstores, and galleries. Wandering the city feels effortless, with art and design around every corner. Here are some of our recommended activities: Landmarks – Hallgrimskirkja – the famous Lutheran church built between 1945-1986 with a 73-meter high tower that takes it’s inspiration from Iceland’s glaciers, mountains and landscape. It is the largest church in the country and located on top of the hill in the center of Reykjavik. Leif Erikson statue (in front of Hallgrimskirkja) to commemorate the Norse explorer who is thought to have been the first European to set foot on continental America, approximately half a millennium before Christopher Columbus. Sun Voyager – head down to the waterfront and see the iconic steel boat structure that resembles a Viking longship. The stunning mountains in the background are worth the walk. Dining & Social – Reykjavik Roasters serves some of the best coffee we have ever had Sandholt offers a delicious variety of upscale pastries, sandwiches and chocolates Braud is a convenient bakery and offers easy take away options Café Loki offers traditional Icelandic options situated in front of Hallgrimskirkja. We loved their lamb shank and had to try the tasting platters, fermented shark and Brennivin shot. Bezta Pylsur – the famous hot dog stand. Rublan bokakaffi – a library with live music, great Icelandic beer and if you’re lucky, a visit with Romeo, the border collie. Shopping There are many stores offering traditional Icelandic gifts,…