A little sun on my morning walk.

(Ignore that unscrewed crown...bad job by me. I remedied it as soon as I noticed it after taking this photo)

All this pizza talk inspired me to fire up the pizza oven on a cold winter night yesterday. Glad I did, all the pies hit the spot.

Back on that pizza grind..

Did a margherita, a Rosa (stolen from Bianco), a New Yorker (from Gemignani), and a Carbonara (stolen from the Internet). Wife's favorite was the New Yorker (as always, not sure anything will ever beat that for her). And mine might have been the Carbonara...first time we tried it, and I really liked it.

Weather has finally cooperated on a weekend. Smoke's in the air for the first time this year.

First 888 cut. First experience with XHS. First wear, after the first soak.

Need them to stretch just a touch in the waist, and also get them hemmed. But pretty pleased with how they turned out for "flying blind" with these.

(I guess not totally blind, I did read this thread several times to help give myself the best shot at sizing. So thanks to all who have contributed to this thread...you have helped me, and many more I'm sure, figure out sizing and how to handle these bad boys)

@endo We started messing around with focaccia last Fall. We just used this recipe:

https://www.emmafontanella.com/no-knead-focaccia

Done it twice, and it's turned out great both times...the only real tweaks we made was cooking it a little less than recommended...we like a a nice doughy soft bite. Unfortunately I don't have any money shots of the loaf cut open though.

Pretty easy recipe, takes a bit of time...but most of it is non-active, and just letting it rise and rest.

@Mizmazzle Like I said, damn near boxfresh. But we'll consider this a starting point on the road to lookin like yours...

And this morning we fired off a loaf of focaccia using the leftover ambient heat in the oven from last night's pizza cook. A little more dense than our normal loafs, but still tasted amazing.

@Mizmazzle Ya, I knew mine were looking a bit matte (which I didn't mind), but didn't realize just how matte they were until I saw your photo. I'll definitely take a brush to them soon and see if I can restore a bit of that luster to give them at least a little pop that they deserve.

@SourPower Thanks! The thing is a beast...so much fun to use.

@SourPower Thanks! The thing is a beast...so much fun to use.

And this morning we fired off a loaf of focaccia using the leftover ambient heat in the oven from last night's pizza cook. A little more dense than our normal loafs, but still tasted amazing.

Back on that pizza grind..

Did a margherita, a Rosa (stolen from Bianco), a New Yorker (from Gemignani), and a Carbonara (stolen from the Internet). Wife's favorite was the New Yorker (as always, not sure anything will ever beat that for her). And mine might have been the Carbonara...first time we tried it, and I really liked it.

Weather has finally cooperated on a weekend. Smoke's in the air for the first time this year.

@flannel-slut Thanks!

Things were a little sketchy that first wear after the soak (they were pretty damn tight before the soak)...so I was slightly second guessing my life choices after I finally got them buttoned. But after a bit, they weren't comfortable, but they weren't uncomfortable...which was a major win in my eyes.

Second day, easier to get on...still not comfortable, but definitely trending in that direction. And the third day, I'd almost say they are comfortable. Once they are on, and I move just a little, they get locked into the right position on my hips...and they are totally good to go. I'm a 777 guy, so finding the right spot for these to sit took me a minute...but I think they are golden now.

Stoked to hear that they are only going to get better from here!

First 888 cut. First experience with XHS. First wear, after the first soak.

Need them to stretch just a touch in the waist, and also get them hemmed. But pretty pleased with how they turned out for "flying blind" with these.

(I guess not totally blind, I did read this thread several times to help give myself the best shot at sizing. So thanks to all who have contributed to this thread...you have helped me, and many more I'm sure, figure out sizing and how to handle these bad boys)

@Graeme Love that 222...would love to see it in person.

Funny enough, just based on pictures, I think I may prefer the gold version. And I am not a yellow gold guy. But for whatever reason, I seem to be drawn to that one a little more.

A little sun on my morning walk.

(Ignore that unscrewed crown...bad job by me. I remedied it as soon as I noticed it after taking this photo)

@Matt Awesome, thanks for the reassurance! You've officially inspired another purchase. Looking forward to giving it a go!

I noticed a couple oils listed in the ingredients of AKT. This always gives me pause, as I've tried one or two natural deodorants that used oil and it ended up staining my t-shirts with oil-like stains. Have any of you noticed this? Or clean shirts all around?