What I've made lately

Surprise! I am baking again after a hiatus. Here is what I've made lately

Lemon Pound Bundt Cake (From Not Without Salt)
 Blackberry Oat Gluten Free Scones (Simply Real Health)
Apple Strudel
 Phillo Cheese Pie


Mexican Hot Chocolate Brownies (Adapted from Ottolenghi)

Friends,

I've spent many years trying to find cute shoes for my messed-up feet. I've found that there aren't that many cute outfits that go with Dansko besides casual jeans and boho tops. That's not really my style - I love glam and structured items. Not big on the Dansko look. I am a little screwed when it comes to jeans; my body looks best in dresses. Dresses and Dansko look questionable. Running shoes and jeans make me feel frumpy. I've essentially created a capsule wardrobe as a result.

Here are my simple combos and tips for those who need to hide their pain but want to feel cute:

1) Danskos + leggings + Tunic + sweaters

2) Jeans + sweaters + running shoes

3) Dresses + birkenstocks

4) Maxi skirts + knee braces + crop tops + sweaters

5) Midi skirts + knee braces + crop tops + cute jacket

6) Cole Haan nike sneaker oxfords + jeans + blouse + jacket / sweater

7) 6) Cole Haan nike sneaker oxfords + skirt/shirt or dress + jacket / sweater / jean jacket

8) Dansko Sandals + capris + blouse +  jacket / sweater

9) Dansko Sandals +  skirt/shirt or dress + jacket / sweater / jean jacket

10) Dansko Booties + leggings + dress/tunic + long sweater + scarf

Good luck!! Dressing cute and comfortable will help you feel better. It helps me not think about my pain or lack of abilities.

last month I make a late-night decision to make Snicker Doodle bars out of sheer desperation to not go to the store to buy birthday treats for a birthday at work the following day.

I had no idea what I was doing, doubled the recipe, used the wrong sugar, halved the cinnamon, baked it for over double the time and just made an educated guess. I took it out after the time the recipe said for a single batch and damn it was gooey. I put it back in after cutting the bars... they were raw.

I put the dish back in for more time. Over double the amount the recipe suggested. When I took it out the top was crispy and melted when it was supposed to be delicately brushed with a sugar coating, It looked ugly compared to the picture, that is an understatement.

I cut them again when I got to work - they were SO hard. Oops. I prayed people would just be happy about the birthday sentiment and change of pace from the box cupcakes we normally have for birthdays. No hard feelings on those! I would have preferred to make them to be honest, I just didn't want to leave the house at 9pm on a Sunday.

You never know what will be a surprise win or a surprise loss. All I know is that regardless of what I do, I should remain confident. My gut can be a great navigator, and I should listen to it more often.

Solid quotes from Sheryl Sandberg and Tiffany Dufu: How to Lean In Without Burning Out

"'What would you do if you weren’t afraid? Stop trying to please everyone, that’s not going to work. You’re never going to have an impact on the world if you’re always trying to make everyone happy. You have to say things, and when you say things some people will agree and some people disagree. You’ll start real conversation.'"

"The best hiring story of my career is a woman named Lorrie Goler. When I first went to Facebook she called me and said, 'I want to come apply to work for you at Facebook. I was going to tell you all the things I’m good at and all the things that I like to do and what my goals are, but I figured everyone’s doing that. I want to know what’s your biggest problem and can I solve it?'” 

“'Career progression is a jungle gym, not a ladder. The days of joining one company and moving up straight through the ranks are basically over.'”

“'Go somewhere where there’s growth. You can be the best employee ever in an industry that’s growing slowly and nothing good happens.'”

Living the dream!

Long time no see. I haven't baking lately but I am planning to start again. I sure miss it. After a little hiatus I realize that I very out of practice. Everything I've been baking lately has been terrible! Simon can attest. This is also applies so some food dishes but most of the time my cooking has been delicious. Now, this is a change. In the past there was no way I could've bragged about my cooking skills - I must have gotten better! I suppose it all comes with practice. Lost my green thumb for baking and now I have it for cooking! I stopped pictures but I am planning to start again. I loved documenting my creations. So get ready for a slice of life, life lessons and pictures. Am I ready to put it all on the line? Not yet. I've started journaling personally but this site more or less will be pt2 of my personal journal, the pieces and lessons that I want to share. I don't always put it out there but I think I am ready to start again.

I made Caramel Apple Pie for Thanksgiving this year. I used Trophy Cupcakes Caramel recipe, a spin-off of Magnolia Bakery's pie crust (full butter), and Sally's Baking Addiction's Salted Caramel Apple Pie - pie recipe and directions for the lattice. I didn't add salt :P

This was a Vegan "German Chocolate Cake" made from the Dining In Seattle Cookbook. This recipe contribution is from an amazing vegan and vegetartian restaurant called Cafe Flora in Seattle.

I made for a birthday in September. I made it gluten free with the Trader Joe's Gluten Free flour mix. In the future I would not make this gluten free, but it was great as a vegan cake! I also couldn't go to this party because I was still recovering from surgery but I heard it was good. The gluten free flour didn't bake all the way through in the time the recipe said so I baked it for extra time. I am afraid it was a bit dry- hence why next time I will not make this gluten free again, just in case.