Posting here has been a little bit of a struggle lately. Nothing sad or serious going on, it’s just recently I’ve been having the worst luck in my kitchen. Earlier this month I was on the third version of a scones recipe that I absolutely refused to give up on and something in me just…..snapped. Not in an angry way, but it was definitely a moment I realized that to maintain my sanity, this creative outlet and most importantly my love of baking, I had to put down the flour, hide my baking notebook and step away from the oven for a brief period. Call it baking burnout if you will.
Except for making supper and the occasional bowl of kale chips, the oven hasn’t been getting much use. Last night I flipped through my baking notebook for the first time in over a week and I was nicely reminded of all the ideas and plans I have for future posts. I’m hopeful about a new recipe I’m planning to make later today and I’m crossing my fingers that this time away from my oven has done some good.
At the end of winter, I always go through a grapefruit-buying phase. I see them on sale at the grocery store and I stock up because I’m convinced they’ll get me through the end of cold season. I used to think that this had something to do with trying to get my daily dose of Vitamin C (see the end of cold season), but now I believe it has more to do with all these beautiful pink, red and yellow hues. I swear, when the winter days are dark, cold and gloomy, there is nothing more satisfying and uplifting than slicing into a ripe, juicy grapefruit.
I know a lot of people say that, but I think today I truly am. It may be because I’m tired of constantly scraping salt off my boots, my work pants and even our hardwood floor. I’ve lost count at how many times I’ve managed to misplace my mitts, hat and scarf at any given moment. And I’m still not too thrilled that it’s dark outside before 6pm.
But it’s almost the end of February and I swear, it’s like a light at the end of the tunnel. Spring is coming.
Growing up, I remember my mom owned a sweater with the phrase “30 never looked so good.” It was a white pull-over sweater with crazy fonts and coloured shapes – think Saved By the Bell styled clipart. When I was a teenager, it become one of my mom’s favourite sweaters to wear while doing chores around the house and at the time I remember thinking how “old” 30 seemed. To a kid like me, being 30 was practically a lifetime away. I still had high school and university to get through. Not to mention that late 20’s post-university phase of figuring out a career, buying a house, balancing a bank account and walking successfully in high-heels. Pretty much everything that I thought responsible, serious adults did once they turned 30 and have everything figured out.
Comfort food #ALLtheTIME is still happening and right now we’re up to our ears in homemade soup, hearty stews and all the fresh bread imaginable for dipping. As much as I’m not a fan of this time of year, what with the cold weather, snow and having to constantly scrape salt off my boots, I can’t deny that all this warm, cozy food sort of makes up for it.
Canadian food blogger, baking and eating her way through life. Musical theatre fanatic. Personal finance nerd. Sometimes runner/yogi. Green smoothies are pretty amazing.
