Purple Pancackes

I made these pancakes one morning after I woke up wondering how to use up some blueberries and blackberries that were about to over-ripen. I went a little crazy at the grocery store and ended up with much more than we eat in a week so I had about a cup of blueberries and a generous half cup of blackberries.

You know what I wonder: Why did neither of these berries end up being called "purple berries" when they both bleed purple? Blueberries, you pass because you are at least blue on the outside. But blackberries, what's up with that?!

I started by mashing the blackberries with a masher thing (I'm a professional, you know) and then put together the pancake mix according to an old soiled-but-loved copy of Better Homes "New Cook Book." I followed the whole wheat version, because whole wheat totally cancels out syrup. That's a fact. After the batter was prepared I folded in the mushed blackberries and then tossed in the blueberries. And I must say, it looked like go-gurt-- probably edible, possibly radioactive. It was the sickly artificial kind of color kids go nuts for these days. Luckily, cooking made them much more attractive. And edible, which is also important.

Is it Friday yet?

Hello! I had not realized quite how long it had been since I blogged. As I shared before, I had a big job and it was taking up the better part of my mind/worries (well, it still is). After the job, which was the Sunday before last, I was feeling exhausted and decided to lay off blogging for a week to recoup. Well, that sort of bled into this week and I realized it's almost pay day and I have yet to blog or create anything! Perhaps it's stress or the early disappearance of the sun, but I have been much more inclined to curl up on the couch with a blanket rather than spend additional time at the computer. I could also blame all the new fall shows, but I won't be petty.

I know it happens basically the same way every year, but every time fall rears its head I swear it's not due. I have not had enough sunshine, swimming or warm nights. I have not had the perfect nectarine. It's just not right. Well, I declare it's time to embrace what fall has to offer rather than blame it for ruining my beloved summer. Plus, fall means my birthday is right around the corner and who doesn't love celebrating numero uno?  I already decided where I will have my official birthday dinner. Today's first picture is actually the ceiling of the restaurant from my first visit in August. It was obviously delicious because I decided far in advance that it will be the first stop of the train that will be my birthday weekend (insert train sound here!) And here's a picture I just came across while organizing, just to make things even.

Taking Heed

"Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through." -Ira Glass

Just ran into a quote that I bookmarked a few months ago after I saw it posted on mint. I'm really glad I make a habit of savings quotes because, yet again, this quote has taken the edge off. I generally don't re-post things that I have seen on other blogs, but this concept really hit a chord with me today and I wanted to share. I was just thinking I wish I had something ready to post and when I saw this I thought why not pass along an inspiring quote with a photo--okay, an older photo that I happen to have access to via flickr. Oh, well.

I have some photos to work on to share and very little time to edit them as I have a crazy busy week ending with my first big photography job on Sunday! I feel like this week is going to fly right by.

Easy Bread

Hello, I have a recipe for you today! I mentioned that I was making this bread in a post a while back but never got around to the pictures until last night. That day I was on a cooking rampage that included this yummy wheat bread, my first attempt at a whole chicken and twice-baked potatoes. It was pretty intense, y'all. I won't lie, I probably won't be making twice-baked potatoes for a while as they are too much effort. I would rather make garlic-y mashed potatoes incorporating the cheeses and skipping all the extra steps. But, I digress, that will be its own post.

This recipe is from Heidi Swanson's 101 Cookbooks which you should really check out if you are at all  into healthy food because her recipes definitely do not forgo flavor for health. She knows how to marry the two together quite happily. This bread was actually really, really easy. So easy that I swore I was doing something wrong because I always thought making bread was supposed to be tedious. And also because it doesn't really rise and I thought for sure it was a lost cause before I even put it into the oven.

My panic and insecurities were eased as soon as I tasted the bread and completely vanished after I slathered on some butter. Don't worry, the wheat totally cancels out the butter. It's called science, people.

Asparagus and the Easily Distracted

Hello! Today definitely feels like a Tuesday. I accidentally/over enthusiastically made Monday harder on myself by scheduling an early 8am dentist appointment because sometimes I trick myself into thinking that I can be a person that early if I try. Well, I was basically asleep when I got there. The dentist even asked me to stop yawning because I was making him tired. Little did he know how lucky he was that my eyes were open.

Here are some shots I took in my kitchen. My desk/dining table has taken on yet another function: studio. Re-purposing is all the rage right now, so in honor of the trend and my huge-desk-small-apartment situation, I've decided I can squeeze in yet another function.

"What does "easily distracted" have to do with this post?!" you say. Calm down and let me tell you: I saw some bundles of skinny asparagus at the store and grabbed a bunch not knowing what I would do with it but knowing that I couldn't pass up good looking produce in my neck of the sunset. Took it home and decided I would make half for dinner and do a photo shoot with the other half. I put the baking half on a rimmed baking sheet, drizzled olive oil and rolled them around so they would all get a nice coat. Then I sprinkled chili flakes, sea salt and some pepper. Parmesan was to follow after they came out of the oven tender but also beautifully browned and crispy.  

However, I was so busy with my photo shoot they came out looking absolutely pathetic and tasting even worse. Seriously some of my worst work, people. Shriveled little oily stalks replaced the colorful firm ones I put in there. I tried to ignore their looks and made myself a plate with some Parmesan, but it was more than I do to eat them. Not even Stephen, who I often refer to at meal time as "the clean-up crew" would eat them. So here are some pictures, I hope you enjoy them because this is about the only good thing I can do with asparagus.

Wanderlust

sienna., a photo by nicole cross on Flickr.

Currently wishing I were in Italy eating wild boar lasagna while drinking Chianti. Nothing like a Thursday at your desk blasting your earphones to keep out chatter to make you want to catch the first flight out to a place where you cannot understand a word anyone is saying. Don't even get me started on the change-your-life-amazing gelato my cousin introduced me to in Florence tucked away from the touristy main streets in a barely noticeable shop where you don't even see the gelato until they scoop it up and skillfully swirl it into a cone for you until it resembles a scoop. I'll have the triple chocolate and almond, please.

Sleeping Bear Dunes

Here are some pictures from Sleeping Bear Dunes for you to enjoy. The dunes are massive unlike anything I have ever seen before. And speaking of massive, that is a lake people! Not an ocean, a freakin lake! It's unbelievable.

 Just in case you are wonder, those are people, not ants. And this picture does not even do the incline justice...I prefer the view from above.