How could I have thought I could possibly get back to the swing of things so soon after moving. It's been over a month since my last post and I'm still getting settled in my new home. I'm trying to get into a routine for myself and it's not happening yet. My time for baking and creating has considerably been cut due to my commute to/from home. I no longer have the luxury of getting home and saying "oh, I think I'll do some baking tonight or work on an art project!" There is no tonight. Whatever is left of night, is dedicated to eating dinner and going to bed shortly thereafter. My only option is the weekends, and those are still being taken up by other things non creative or fun. I'm not complaining, just frustrated. I know when looking at the bigger picture, I have a lot to be grateful for...
On occasion I dash out to my backyard and leave seeds for Cardinals, Doves, Finches and the like. An act I would have never guessed would bring so much. Yesterday I bought a window bird-feeder and this morning from my office I saw my first guest: a female Cardinal. The males are traditionally vibrant red, unlike the females whose colors are either non-existent or very subdued. But from my window pain I can see the female is underestimated. Indeed she has color and life of her own. And at this quite hour of 8am as we are separated by a foggy glass, she pecks away at seeds. She leaves...then returns with another female companion. Unbeknownst to them, they are being watched by a fellow female who for some years has viewed parts of her life colorless. But as I write in this moment, nature is doing what it does best: revives ones inner creativity, brings color to life. Thank you sister Cardinals. And for some of you out there: stay strong my fellow sisters who maintain a relationship, have 9am-5pm job, and barely have weekends for "me" stuff -- we are not done yet!
So, below are some pics, including one little baking venture I did manage. This is Sasha, peaking out from underneath one of our old dressers a couple of days before the big move. She did not enjoy all the commotion.
In the new house: Lucien loving his new spot in the sun and an old toy...
Sasha enjoying her new perch and view...
New beach and new friends...
And now: Peanut-Caramel Delight Bars. To say they're sweet is an understatement, but I was told by those who loved them: "Coffee, this is great with coffee!" In the end they're a great sweet/salty treat. Below is the recipe, and if you want the complete details of how I made them feel free to email me.
Base:
1 1/2 Cups all-purpose gluten free flour
1/4 tsp Xantham Gum
2 tsp kosher salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter
2 cups (packed) light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
Peanut-Pretzel Caramel
2 1/2 cups roasted unsalted peanuts
2 cups sugar
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 cups thin gluten free pretzels, coarsely crushed
Oven: 350 degrees
Baking pan size: 13x9x2
On occasion I dash out to my backyard and leave seeds for Cardinals, Doves, Finches and the like. An act I would have never guessed would bring so much. Yesterday I bought a window bird-feeder and this morning from my office I saw my first guest: a female Cardinal. The males are traditionally vibrant red, unlike the females whose colors are either non-existent or very subdued. But from my window pain I can see the female is underestimated. Indeed she has color and life of her own. And at this quite hour of 8am as we are separated by a foggy glass, she pecks away at seeds. She leaves...then returns with another female companion. Unbeknownst to them, they are being watched by a fellow female who for some years has viewed parts of her life colorless. But as I write in this moment, nature is doing what it does best: revives ones inner creativity, brings color to life. Thank you sister Cardinals. And for some of you out there: stay strong my fellow sisters who maintain a relationship, have 9am-5pm job, and barely have weekends for "me" stuff -- we are not done yet!
So, below are some pics, including one little baking venture I did manage. This is Sasha, peaking out from underneath one of our old dressers a couple of days before the big move. She did not enjoy all the commotion.
In the new house: Lucien loving his new spot in the sun and an old toy...
Sasha enjoying her new perch and view...
New beach and new friends...
And now: Peanut-Caramel Delight Bars. To say they're sweet is an understatement, but I was told by those who loved them: "Coffee, this is great with coffee!" In the end they're a great sweet/salty treat. Below is the recipe, and if you want the complete details of how I made them feel free to email me.
1 1/2 Cups all-purpose gluten free flour
1/4 tsp Xantham Gum
2 tsp kosher salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter
2 cups (packed) light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
Peanut-Pretzel Caramel
2 1/2 cups roasted unsalted peanuts
2 cups sugar
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 cups thin gluten free pretzels, coarsely crushed
Oven: 350 degrees
Baking pan size: 13x9x2
