I had been hearing about my girlfriend’s holiday cookie party for years. She started hosting them a couple of years after I moved away from Portland to California, so I was never around to attend, nor was I ever invited. Each December I would hear stories about the infamous cookie party from our mutual friends. I’m not one to get bent out of shape about such things, but after a while, I started to wonder why I never made the short list for this party. I mean come on, I’m close with the hostess, I’m into baking and I’ve been known to travel over state lines for events. Continue reading boozy balls
Category Archives: Sweet Things
halloween nostalgia
I wish I had a fun story to tell about this Butterfinger recipe. Truth be told, it’s kind of boring. But I feel compelled to share Butterfingers with you because Halloween is this week, and candy is on my mind. Plus this recipe is such an easy and good treat. Continue reading halloween nostalgia
the cake of fall, aka the best apple cake ever
During my early twenties I worked at the corporate headquarters of a building materials manufacturer. If you’ve ever been to a Home Depot, you’ve likely seen the company’s products. The HQ where I worked was full of characters, namely the president and CEO. This man was a classic ego driven company man. He sported a Clark Gable mustache, entertained on the company’s yacht, and lived in a company-owned estate complete with a helipad and chef. The corporate office occupied the top two floors of the tallest building in Portland, of course. Continue reading the cake of fall, aka the best apple cake ever
they like my balls
Friends. They are such an integral part of my life. I think growing up in a small family and being an only child has shaped my need for seeking and keeping myself surrounded with friends. I’m picky about my friends; I need to have real connection and commonalities. Truth be told, life is way too short to waste time with people who don’t treat you right. I like to surround myself with people who support, inspire, care and make me laugh. I am thankful to have a wonderful group of friends, near and far, who embody these characteristics. Continue reading they like my balls
guest blogger – a trick of a dessert
As long as I’ve known my dear friend Erin, she has struggled with, what she calls, an addiction to sugar. Mind you, she’s the size of a pin, so it’s not weight that is her challenge, but rather the dependence on cookies, ice cream and candy. I remember a perhaps not fully sober night, when a group of us walked to the local Plaid Pantry (for those of you from Oregon, you know all about “The Plaid”). Erin made a beeline for a large package of Bit ‘O Honey candy and proceeded to go on and on about how it was the best-tasting candy she had ever had and how she loved it so much. Yes, Erin loves sugar. Continue reading guest blogger – a trick of a dessert
celebrating 50 years of amazing
This year Nutella is celebrating its 50th anniversary. I tried finding out when the actual date is, but the interwebs failed me. Ok, I’ll admit, I didn’t dig that deeply. My plan is to celebrate Nutella every day. Which is something I do regardless of whether or not the creamy, chocolate, hazelnut spread is celebrating a golden anniversary. Continue reading celebrating 50 years of amazing
detroit inspiration
May has been a busy month of being away from home. Although it’s been almost two weeks since my last post, I’ve found myself inspired by the foods, friends and settings with which I’ve been surrounded. It’s finding the time to capture and organize all of my thoughts that’s been the challenge. Continue reading detroit inspiration
copy cat from OC
It’s no secret that I didn’t exactly take well to living in Orange County. Aside from a friendship with three very wonderful ladies, with whom I’m still close, I really don’t miss living behind the “orange curtain” much. However, now that I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, I have better perspective on OC. The Vietnamese food in OC is superior, the weather is better and the beaches are warmer. OC is also home to my favorite vegan eatery. I keep hoping a Native Foods will pop up in the Bay Area, but it hasn’t. There’s more competition in the veggie/vegan space in the Bay Area, so it’s probably not viable for a new player to move in. Every time I visit OC, a trip to Native Foods for the peanut butter parfait is a must. Continue reading copy cat from OC
kitchen magic
I have great childhood memories of going to friends’ houses for slumber parties. Those nights away from my own ‘natural earth mama’ house usually entailed eating junk food at night and sugary cereal the next morning. Ice cream with Smucker’s Magic Shell topping for dessert and Apple Jacks for breakfast, thank you very much. That combo would never have made it through the threshold of my parents’ house. Continue reading kitchen magic
happy-making
I find baking to be not only therapeutic, but also deliciously happy-making. The house smells good and nobody in their right mind turns down fresh-out-of-the-oven baked goods. A good chocolate chip cookie may be viewed to some as pedestrian, but I maintain that a good cookie is second to none. I like them chewy, gooey and with no nuts, thank you very much. I have spent years searching for that perfect recipe. My dear friend Kara shares my love for chocolate chip cookies, and six years ago she shared with me “the best cookie recipe ever” during a visit, and we set forth in the kitchen to see just how these cookies compared to the numerous other recipes we had tested over the years. The result? Simply referred to as the New York Times chocolate chip cookie recipe, I haven’t found one before or since that compares.
planks and sticks 