Pros and Cons

In the land of cooking and baking there are lists upon lists of pros and cons.  I may be the only one but I simultaneously love to cook and hate to cook.  I'm hoping this is true of others and I'm not the only one that's torn when someone asks "oh you like to cook, huh?"  On the one hand, I have cookbooks, and Pinterest and family recipes to draw from.  All of these, I'm partial to and feel no need to venture too far out of the comfort zone.  Why mess with a good thing when you've eaten all sorts of yumminess for your entire life?  On the other hand, I'm rubbish at actually making these recipes.  There's something about it that I just can't master.  
I'm ok with following the recipe and usually can master all the ingredients but it's the whole combining thing I have a problem with.  Portions and cooking times and stirring for specific numbers of seconds  or making sure all 3 items are timed perfectly to wind up on the table at the same time always put me off, which is frustrating. Don't even get me started on cooking times and being expected to be the bringer of good things for the office when you're having an off night.  (If you haven't noticed based on the tone of this blog - tomorrow is an office party and tonight was an off night.  Gosh darn cooking times!) 

While not as difficult for me for some reason, baking also has its ups and downs. Even though they say baking is an exact science, I'm much better and find it so much more fun.  For one thing I love sweets but on the other hand, there's no eyeing or estimating.  As long as you follow the recipe you're good.  I get a little worried when attempting to go off book, unlike some people.  Even in the baking land, I can master the good stuff.  The kitchen may look like a cyclone, but the recipe has been completed and the sweets are on the table and they actually taste delicious (most of the time - there have been some doozies).  The problem there is that it's never ever as pretty as it should be.  I know in my head that as long as it's delicious, I shouldn't care what it looks like but it doesn't help.  

All that being said, there's a certain rush finding a new recipe that sounds delicious and whipping it up perfectly for family and friends.  And finally having it come out just as you'd hoped and adding that recipe to the recipe book you keep of your favorites.   It may be messy, and torturous, and I may be terrible at it at times, but it's fun and challenging and if I could just make myself do it more often, I think I'd be much happier and better at it...but much larger in the waist : )  It must be the influence of that fantastic and patient teacher I had cooking all the yumminess that I've eaten all my life.  I may not be the best cook, but I know without him I'd be a whole lot worse, not to mention a lot less happy.   So I suppose, in the end, it is an easy question afterall: Yes I do love to cook and bake!  I just won't be signing up for Top Chef any time soon.

Now that we've come to this conclusion, maybe I could get him to realize a restaurant kitchen of our own would be even more fun...

Currently...

~I am quite curious about this helicopter flying around outside my window...

~I am much (much!) too excited about this happening.  Yes it's geeky.  Yes it may sound ridiculous.  Yes it's probably why I'm single but I don't care.  50 years is a big deal and it looks pretty darn amazing!

~I'm quite chilly which may have something to do with these unseasonably cold temperatures we're having OR might just be the fact I'm always cold!

~I'm trying to figure out which book to read after I finish "Rosie Hopkins' Sweet Shop of Dreams" tomorrow.  I have 2 Christmas books that I'd like to read near Christmas but I can't decide if they'll take me the next 6 weeks or if I can fit another in first.  (Yes, this may also be a reason for me being single...)

~I'm feeling ahead of the game in terms of Christmas shopping but far too behind in the Christmas card making department.

~I'm seriously contemplating joining eHarmony due to the whims of friends at work.  Quite honestly a 400 question questionnaire is not my cup of tea but maybe, just maybe...

I Hate Technology!

Serious internet issues this evening.  I'll be back tomorrow after a serious discussion with this ridiculous cable company...

Always Remember...

Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid.  They have earned our undying gratitude.  America will never forget their sacrifices.

 ***

President Harry S. Truman

Thank you Veterans!

It's About Darn Time!

After a ridiculously long, and painful season, the Ravens have finally pulled out a win in an overtime nailbiter that was pretty ugly and could have been a lot worse had it not been for Justin Tucker's right foot. From the highs of last season's Super Bowl win, this season has been nothing but a letdown.  We here in Baltimore have surely been feeling the Post Super Bowl slump.  Here's hoping that finally those darn purple birds will start their comeback.  If not, there will be some very unhappy Baltimoreans! 

Go Ravens!

Geek Out!

Doing my happy little geeky dance today now that this has become available.  It's pretty amazing for about a million reasons, most of which include seeing the Tenth back in his pinstripes, brainy specs and Tardis.  Can't wait for November 23!

Friday Five: Etsy Edition

What's great about Etsy, beside the fact that it showcases just how creative people can get, is that you can find just about anything at the drop of a single search word.  When I get bored with Pinterest (which admittedly, doesn't happen that often) I usually jump on over to Etsy to see what I can find.  It's helpful especially around this time, because I'm able to find unique Christmas gifts that I wouldn't have thought of otherwise.  However, when I'm in a crafting mood, it's a great place to scraplift project ideas.  It really is the one stop shop for all things crafty.  Seeing as I was in a Christmas shopping mood today, I spent a great deal of time there, so here are just a few of my favorite things.  Oh and by the way, that favorite button they have on all their items?  It'll be the death of me.  I click that darn thing a little too often.  My favorites page is beginning to look like the entirety of Etsy.

1. Gemini Studio: I went looking for Great Britain things and for some reason these little Air Dales kept appearing.  When I checked out his shop, I couldn't believe all the different prints he had; each one cuter than the last.  I wish I had lots of dog people on my Christmas list, because these little guys are irresistible!

2. Tag Team Tompkins: In this case I was searching on "Shakespeare" (what can I say? I'm nothing if not predictable.) A few of these letterpress cards contain Shakespeare quotes but they also have lots of other quotes as well, most of which are literary.  Anyone creating with bookish quotes, is more than ok with me.

3. Be Wild and Free: Based on the picture below, I'm sure you can figure out what I was searching on.  This print is gorgeous and I'm currently contemplating the best place for it in my house right now.  Though her other prints are super cute and girly as well.

4. Ringostone: This fell into the Christmas present category.  I thought it would make a perfect mother daughter necklace for a friend.  It's most definitely something I don't think I could find anywhere but Etsy - you gotta love that!

5. When Guinea Pigs Fly: I don't exactly get the guinea pig thing myself.  I happen to think they're rodents.  But I do know people who think they're about the coolest animal ever and can't get enough of guinea pig everything.  So I suppose this store would most definitely be their cup of tea.  On the other hand, these little pictures are pretty darn cute even with thinking guinea pigs are icky...