Dear friends,

Yes, it has been entirely too long between posts. I could give excuses like “work has been too stressful,” or “I’ve totally been the PMS-avenger,” but really, no excuses can cut it.

I had to bake.

I admit, I may (or may not) have had nearly an entirely bottle of wine to myself, and the urge to bake has become overwhelming. I have cookies in the oven, and there is no turning back. My sink is full, and my oven as well.

Tonight, I cooked eggplant for the first time (yay!) and maybe that’s what made me surge toward wine and an old baking recipe. I only ever vaguely follow recipes, and tonight was no exception. I created stuffed eggplant parmesan, with more mozzarella and onions than eggplant OR parmesan. Granted, I can barely spell Italian cheeses, let alone bake this dish. It turned out rather well, at least, that is what I can assume after P consumed half of them.

And in my slightly intoxicated victory(?), I decided to bake something familiar and delicious: Panda Puffs.

Panda Puffs are what emerged from P’s love of spices and my love of shortbread. They are “Nun’s Farts” or “Russian Tea Cookies” combined with a s**t-ton of cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice (or apple pie spice, I can never choose which I like better), + my nickname is sometimes “Panda”.

Indeed, I am overwhelmed with work, nesting in a new home, being a wife, and taking on various side projects. But I know I can/must get a handle on things. If that means baking my favorite, well-known recipe, then so be it.

I will write, I will bake, and I will begin reading again. My life will be re-claimed! Through dishes! And recipes! And…blogging? So it would appear :)

Love you all,

~M~