Goo Goo Clusters

So, the world didn’t end yesterday. Surprise, ya’ll.

Although I’m grateful that the ancient Mayans have no jurisdiction over the fate of our planet, I was thinking the other night… the world has to sooner or later. Hate to be a downer, but I reckon it does. And when it does, how many things are going to be left unsaid?

I’m incredibly guilty of it… holding stuff in when I’d really be better off to  share. I’ve been lucky to have someone reminding me of that increasingly often here lately. So much so that I remembered Post Secret might actually still exist. And it sure as heck does. I didn’t go posting any secrets, especially the one about the camel toe, but I thought hey, why not get some junk out in the air?

Here we go.

New Kids on the Block–Pulaski Heights BBQ

Bless my soul, final exams have depleted any spare time and mental energy left in me at this point in the year… not to mention, pulled my focus far from the important things in life. Like decadent smoked pork.

Praise the sweet heavens above they’re over.

So on to better things we go.

Falafel with Cucumber Feta Sauce

In my head, I like to pretend I’m fearless. The kind of Taylor Swift fearless where I dance in storms wearing my best dress and sing my fearless little lungs out about it.

Thoughts of Thanks

My original intent was to get the mandatory blogger’s list of holiday-spurred thanksgivings up by Monday of this week. Did not happen, obviously. That’s fine though, this is more timely anyway.

However, the reason this was not posted two days ago is because I haven’t accomplished too much of anything over the past two days. Mostly because I’ve barely left my bed during the past two days… not like in a depressing, hidden under the covers with a pint of Moose Tracks ice cream way. No, it’s been more along the lines of taking a “lazy day” to the utmost extreme (borderline too far) in completely checking out from real life. This experience may just go down in Darcy history as one of the most indulgent, rejuvenating and comfy time warps in my college career. And I dig it.

That said, for some reason, I’m having a shamefully tough time transitioning back into society, so bear with me if I sound a touch off. The past 48 hours were somewhat odd, but oh so wonderful. Mercy, those hours rich in reading, HBO and bed picnics did me good. I am beyond thankful for that Twilight Zoneish mental vaca.

Balsamic Green Beans with Mushrooms & Mint
Photo by Lyric Lewin

Banana Chip, Roasted Peanut & Chocolate Chunk Cookies with Peanut Butter Drizzle

So, I thought I’d take a brief hiatus from baking… to get my mind right and such. But then, I thought that sounded like a terrible idea.

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

I don’t know what’s going on. Ya’ll, I’m stuck in a straight up funk.

I can always tell when I’m a smidge off, because my baking suffers. Severely.

Seriously, If I didn’t follow a recipe… this week,  you best believe it bombed hard.

Glazed Avocado Citrus Sandwich Cookies with Chocolate Coconut filling

You gotta love it when stuff just goes right. Not because you know what you’re doing… but just because it happened to happen that way.

Such was the case for these coconut-stuffed cookies before you. Definitely went into this one not knowing what we’d come out with on the other side, but winging it can always be fun as long as you keep a spirit of adventure throughout the journey…

Chocolate & Walnut Ginger Sandwich Cookies with Banana Cream Filling

There are some things that sound strange, but in all actuality are  just plain awesome.

Like chocolate matched with ginger… I could see where some people might be mildly weirded-out by  having fresh spicy ginger all up in their chocolate. But trust me, everything about that combination is so right. I’m so sure about it.

Ginger Plum Tart with Pistachio Crust

I know what this looks like.

Looks like pie… actually, looks like tart.  A tart that I’ve already made and talked about once before.

No worries. It’s not at all. They’re totally, completely, 100% different.

Fresh Apple Crisp

It’s 52 degrees out. By GA standards, that’s mildly frigid.

I got a cardigan on and I’m tossing cinnamon and cloves just about anywhere I can get away with. It’s that time… I’m falling hard for fall.  For me, these initial chilly signify two absolute necessities:

1. my feet having fuzzy socks on them
2. my oven having apples in it

Whether your people prefer crumbles over crisps or buckles over betties, ’tis the season for any and all of it.