photo op: reliving baking memories

RER 3.14.17

There was a time when love was blind

And the world was a song

And the song was exciting

There was a time

Then it all went wrong…

No, I know. I’m being dramatic. And a Les Miz fan. Nothing has gone wrong. But…

RER 3.14.17

RER 3.14.17

 There was a time when I used to bake

And the kitchen smelled like cookies

And there was butter and sugar all over the place

There was a time

Then came adulting…

RER 3.14.17

RER 3.14.17

RER 3.14.17

RER 3.14.17

A lot has happened over the last few months: Life has just intensified in the most amazing ways from my job, to a status change, to looking forward to and toward the future. There has been little time for baking, but still plenty of time for eating well (pics or it didn’t happen).

RER 3.14.17

RER 3.14.17

RER 3.14.17

The last time I baked, it was chocolates chip cookies and a foggy memory. Coconut, too. Something about a snow day— a rare occurrence when I was in school, the very same school where I am starting my third year as a teacher (!!).  When I was young, the school would stay open and the less-than-attractive floors would be slippery and squeak with the melted snow from boots and shoes. Classes would be diminished, but we would learn things that you can’t find in books. The snow would be like a silencer for the outside world, but inside school there would be palpable excitement and an ineffable feeling of security and comfort.

RER 3.14.17

RER 3.14.17

RER 3.14.17 

RER 3.14.17

Making those cookies back in March made me feel that sense of coziness, and thinking about the last time I truly baked, makes me feel the same on this humid August day. And maybe, I also feel a little inspired…..

RER

8.18.17

RER 3.14.17

photo OP: blondie bomb

RER 11.24.15

Sometimes sweets are in order, especially when the pressure is on and it feels like the world might be closing in, no matter how happy you are. Closing walls, racing heartbeats, and spinning hands on the clock are not exclusive to stress, anxiety, and unhappiness. Pleasure, excitement, and joy can have similar suffocating feelings. My newfound joy comes with intense investment and hard work. But it’s worth it…

RER 11.14.15

RER 11.14.15

RER 11.14.15

RER 11.14.15

RER 11.14.15

So are these blondies, which are a spin-off of these. This time our remix included marshmallow, chocolate chip, and pretzel mix-ins. Too much yum.

RER

11.24.15

RER 11.14.15

photo op: RECENT eats

RER 6.17.15

Even amongst a sea of changes, one thing remains constant in my life— eating. So when things shift, opportunities arise, and feelings fade, food brings comfort and familiarity.

So, I let it.

RER 6.7.15

RER 6.7.15

Making stir-fry with Mommie kept me on my toes, but I was excited to eat the crispy veggies and tender meat drenched in sweet and spicy sauce blanketing sesame scented rice.

RER 6.9.15

RER 6.9.15

I indulged in sweet things that made my teeth quiver with happiness while allowing a warmth to rush over me and a smile to bend. Like chocolate Mini- Course Cupcakes strewn with all of the imagination of children and soft chocolate chip cookies, bedazzled with rainbow sprinkles and sunshine.

RER 6.10.15

RER 6.10.15

RER 6.10.15

At the Alumni- Faculty BBQ that I helped to plan, somehow, in the warm air heavy with smoke, the food was bright and refined, exceeding my cookout expectations. Beautiful vegetables gleamed in the afternoon light while burgers hissed and sizzled on the lazy big jon grill.

RER 6.16.15

RER 6.16.15

RER 6.16.15

Yelp events really know how to make a girl happy, whisking her away to eat her memories of a simpler time at Johnny Rockets in Hoboken. Fries and onion rings quickly brought me back to elementary school field trips and failed first days of work. But burgers and buns and Oreo milkshakes made the present worth it.

A pasta moment of appreciation warmed teachers’ bellies and the company made it delicious.

Follow the food on instagram, facebook, and yelp.

RER

6.18.17

RER 6.9.15