July 04, 2008

Words Left Unsaid

When I sit at my computer and my fingers wont type no matter how long I stare at the screen, this is the result. Words left unsaid and posts hidden away in the depths of an overcrowded hard drive. Is it just my blog or a metaphor for life in general? I tend to leave a lot unsaid. Not because I’m not thinking about it though, I’m a daydreamer. Perhaps daydreamer isn’t the right word as I feel like it has optimistic undertones and optimistic is not a word used to describe me. (If at this point you would like to tell me, as many others have, that a sunny outlook improves everything, I urge you not to waste your time as I’m more leopard than chameleon and these spots aren’t changing).

Maybe instead of a daydreamer I’m a thinker, an analyzer, an over-analyzer. I’m constantly rethinking past situations and envisioning future situations. Some are real and some fictional, some potential and others completely improbable. I’m convinced that if you listened carefully, in the quiet of nighttime, you could hear the whirring of my brain like a hamster wheel that’s constantly spinning. And the effort to keep that wheel going is tiring, even if like the wheel, I’m simply turning in circles and not going anywhere. That’s the frustrating part, lack of accomplishment or resolution. Thoughts left unspoken. And sometimes I need to write just to free up some space in my cluttered mind. Most often that kind of writing never makes it anywhere near a “post” or “send” button. Then there are days like today where I’ve decided that I’m not going to bed until I get something posted and this is the result. Despite my ramblings, this is still a food blog and I’ll at least deliver on that aspect even if I took a rather roundabout way of getting to the food.

If you think I’ve whipped up all these goodies recently, you would be mistaken… The butterfly sugar cookies were made way back in March. In fact, I even commented on a post of Ivonne’s when she made butterfly cookies, telling her I had made similar cookies a month earlier and still had yet to post about them. It’s months later and still no cookies, how did that happen? I would have forgotten all about them, (not because they’re forgettable but because I’m forgetful) but in my need to declutter I sometimes make lists and one of these lists is called “Stuff Left to Post”. I found the butterfly sugar cookies, (which are actually called Grandma’s All Occasion Sugar Cookies) on that list along with seven other Dorie Greenspan recipes that were completed sometime in the past six months.

It was at that point that I realized it’s been way too long since my last Dorie post. Hopefully though, with the creation of Tuesdays with Dorie, you’ve been seeing her wonderful recipes all over the blogosphere. I would love to join this group of intrepid bakers but I know I can’t actually commit to making a particular recipe in time to post along with the group every Tuesday, (but I do enjoy reading their posts). That being said, I haven’t stopped baking from Baking From My Home to Yours, (aka the baking bible) I just haven’t been quick to post my progress.

A few notes on the recipes…

Cornmeal and Fruit Loaf: It was moist and soft and best cut into thick slices, (as Dorie suggests doing) and was another opportunity for me to use cornmeal in my baking which I had never done before Dorie suggested it, (but which I quite enjoy).

Real Butterscotch Pudding: I never grew up on boxed pudding so I don’t pine for it the way some people do. That being said, maybe this makes me more appreciative of a pudding done right and made from scratch. And as I’m never one to shy away from alcohol in desserts, this Real Butterscotch Pudding was right up my alley. I also opted to top the pudding with cacao nibs.

Grandma’s All Occasion Sugar Cookies: As you can see, they roll out easily to whatever shape you decide to make them. My only complaint about them was my decision to ice them. I don’t have the patience for icing little cookies, especially not two dozen of them. Ugh.

Snickery Squares: These were a big hit and really, how could they not be? They’ve got the chocolate, caramel and peanuts of a Snickers bar but are on a shortbread base and made with a love like no Snickers bar has ever received.

Drunken Fruit Rice Pudding: This is one of the Playing Around options for the Arborio Rice Pudding and like I mentioned above, I like desserts with alcohol, but especially ones where the alcohol is combined with fruit.

Toasted Almond Scones: I once believed I wasn’t a fan of scones, but after making Dorie’s Apple Cheddar Scones I realized that it wasn’t all scones that I didn’t like, but just poorly made ones. The Apple Cheddar Scones were delicious and set me on a scone making rampage that included these Toasted Almond Scones as well as some Dried Strawberry and Lime Scones, (that I have yet to post about and may never get around to).

Orange Cup Custard: This is another Playing Around option, this time for the Lemon Cup Custards. I used to think I didn’t really like custard either, but I think it’s just the name I don’t like, kind of like curd. Perhaps these should be renamed Delicious Cups and then everyone would want to make them.

Chocolate Pots De Crème: Do I really need to add any notes to this? It’s chocolate in a cup and that’s got to be good, especially if topped with whipped cream and additional chocolate shavings.

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26 comments:

Manggy said...

I would say, "Let it all out." :) Those Snickers Bars look lethal! :P``

Susan @ SGCC said...

I think I know how you feel, Brilynn. I'm an over-analyzer too - and an awful perfectionist. It takes me 3 times longer to write a post than it should because I spend hours staring at the computer screen, and then more hours writing and rewriting and rewriting some more. I've just rewritten this comment 3 times!
I have a pretty long "Stuff I Need to Post" list too, but my stuff doesn't look half as wonderful as yours!

Meeta K. Wolff said...

you are a tease bundling all these yummy pics together. each one makes me drool and now i am swimming in my own saliva!!

Anonymous said...

I have a *Stuff I need to post* list too, but mine gives me comfort. On those weekends (when I do most of my blog cooking) that I'm too busy to cook or bake, I have them as back ups. It gives me a sense of being on top of things. Whether or not that is actually true is another story!

Anonymous said...

If we could harnass the energy of your brain at night (and mine and countless other over-analyzers) we'd be heros. :-)

Great collection of back-logged photos!

KJ said...

i've been there. the one thing you can never escape is yourself. which is a bit tough when you drive yourself nuts.

as for the food, there is not one thing there that does not look delicious.

Anonymous said...

with lovely photos like that, who needs words?

LyB said...

Count me in as over-analyzer and perfectionist. I can't tell you how many things I didn't post because the pics didn't look good enough to me. Some days, it feels like my brain is going to overheat! My "baking bible" is almost always open these days and you're making me want to try every single one of those recipes!

Oh, and I tagged you for a photo meme; please check it out here

Ginny said...

over-analyzer and perfectionist? Maybe the blogging world just attracts those sorts of people...I'm just as bad! All the food looks excellent!!! : )

Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) said...

I wish I were organized enough to have a backlog of posts I never posted! But I agree -- sometimes writing helps declutter the breain.

Jenny said...

Good thing you mentioned this was done over a long period of time or I'd have felt sugar shock for you, all that good stuff at once!

Anonymous said...

I can be an over-analyzer too. All of your treats look delicious. I love the Snickery Squares (that was my TWD pick back in March). The Chocolate Pots de Creme look really delicious as well and I can't wait to make those. I love reading your Dorie posts!

Patricia Scarpin said...

Bri, it happens to all of us at some point, I guess. Just try to not be so hard on yourself, my friend. And even though this is a food blog, it's your own and you can write about anything you want!

I only bought Dorie's book because of you.

Peabody said...

Yes, I was surprised you didn't join the TWD group...but I understand. It's a big commitment.
All of it looks fabulous...especially the snickery squares because I love those things.

Cynthia said...

You make such beautiful desserts. I hope you saved some of these goodies for another time when you would be just staring at the computer screen :)

Karen Baking Soda said...

Are you sure it's not me you are describing there? Over-analysing, rethinking and envisioning.. Sometimes at night when my husband ask why for Pete's sake I don't sleep my reply is: I wish I could switch my brain off.

Love your backlog, it looks yummy~!!

Emily said...

So many good things to look at...I want them all.

The arborio rice pudding sticks out in my mind. I tried it awhile back and it was really good. I like the drunken fruit idea.

glamah16 said...

Hey you are still cooking/baking. Just not so inclined to blog as much. I wish I had a backlog of blog worthy items. Everyhting looks great and Im sure tasted delish!

Joe said...

You have been busy! I agree with dana... the pictures say it all!

cindy* said...

i love pots de creme...yum...or really any dessert served in tiny ramekins or cups. it must be the novelty.

Gattina Cheung said...

analyser, thinker, philsopher or rambler :) :) whatever, I know you are an excellent writer and baker!

Anonymous said...

As someone who has more than her fair share of a cluttered brain. For me being a true introvert it just goes with the territory, thinking and processing life in the head. But,I am grateful for a place to declutter it-food blogging. Thanks for a heart-felt post.
Oh, by the way-all the desserts look absolutely splendid.

RecipeGirl said...

They all look delish of course but those snickery squares caught my eye most. I'll be blogging about a snicker's sort of dessert sometime coming up soon. Hope you didn't give any to that neighbor of yours or he might just move in w/ you!

Cookie baker Lynn said...

All gorgeous! I'm with you on icing cookies - I have no patience for it. I love how beautifully yours turned out, though.

Maria said...

Thanks for the Dorie updates! I am a big fan of her scones! They are a great, easy breakfast treat.
And of course I am a fan of her anything:)

Anonymous said...

Ooh those Snickers Bars look so good! I love how you do little posts of all the things you made plus what you like or didn't like about them, Bri. The only thing is how do i ever decide what, of all the amazing things you make, to tackle next from Dorie.