The big 400 (almost)!

"I look forward to being older, when what you look like becomes less and less an issue and what you are is the point." ~Susan Sarandon

I love this quote, because it doesn't say that what you have done is the point. The important thing is what you are - what you stand for, who you have become, etc.

This quotes comes at an approprite time, because I am trying to figure out what I wnt to do with my life next year, and this is almost my 400th post (it is #399). When I started graduate school, I really had no idea of what I was going to go with it or what I wanted to do afterwards. There was no goal in mind. I applied to grad school because I didn't know what else to do after college. No wonder I've been so lost in this journey! I do believe that everything happens for a reason and that there is a reason for the choices we make. I learned a lot about myself. And honestly, I never had any idea that I loved painting and baking so much! I have always had a thing for cooking, but baking always scared me off.

I am learning to stop making decisions based on what will impress other people. What my life looks like to other people should not be important! I am now trying a little thing called following my own heart and having an intention to my decisions.

When I started this blog, I had no idea what waas going to come from it. I liked the idea of having a place for the things I cooked and the art I created. I wanted to have my own little corner of the internet and connect with people that I don't see as often as I would like. Now, I have made great friends through my blogs and have met a few cool bloggers at The Healthy Living Summit and I will meet more of you at FoodBuzz next weekend! So excited, but the way. And terribly nervous, too.

What my blog is not:

A  "healthy" blog where I document every meal I eat. I share the meals I create that I find especially delicious. I believe in eating real foods in moderation, including butter, cheese, red meat, bread, etc. I believe that vegn nd gluten free diets are to be used if you have allergies or certain medical conditions. But if your body cn handle the foods that you enjoy eating, go ahed and enjoy. Life is too short to restrict or limit yourself. Sometimes this is easier said than done. I know.

A popular blog with lots of readers and comments. I have met some amazing people through my blog and have a handful of readers. That is enough. I may never have a million hits in a month, and I may never have more than 10 comments on  post, but it is still my blog and I love it.

Professionally (or well) photographed. I am learning and practicing every single day that I take pictures. I do not own n SLR camera and really see no point to spend that much money on a very heavy piece of equipment that I would be reluctant to carry round with me.

What my blog is:

Real food and real art. Food and art are my therapies. Cooking and creating meals and desserts makes me feel like a superhero. It is really cool to take individual ingredients, mix them up, plate them, and devour them. It is almost as if I feel more nourishment from food that I make. With art, I feel like I am breathing for the first time in my entire life, every time I paint or draw.

Honest. I usually have a hard time admitting that my life is not "perfect" and that if anything, I am pretty dull and confused with my life. So some days I complain and I may sound really down about things. But there certainly are days when I am excited and very positive. Our moods change every day. Why pretend that everything is shiny and sparkly every time I post?

Today I made a fun Halloween Cookie. Black and Orange in honor of the holiday!

Chocolate Oatmeal Pumpkin Blossoms

Adapted from Chocolate Oatmeal Drops from Dorie Greenspan's book, Baking: From my home to yours.

3/4 cup flour

1/4 cup cocoa powder (hershey's special dark)

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 stick unsalted butter cut into 8 pieces

1/2 tbsp water

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

5 ounces dark chocolate chips

1 large egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

3/4 cup rolled oats

Pumpkin Spice Hershey Kisses unwrapped (about 20)

Preheat the oven to 350 F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.

In a microwave save bowl put the butter, water, sugar, and chocolate (in that order), and mcrowave for 1 minute. Stir it well, ensuring that it is all melted. Mine melted after 1 minute.

Whisk the egg and vanilla into the chocolate mixture.

Whisk in the dry ingredients just until combined.

Stir in the oats.

Drop the dough onto the parchment paper lined baking sheets by the tbsp.

Bake for 10-12 minutes.

Press a kiss onto each cookie when you take them out of the oven.

Allow the cookies to cool.

If desired, place in the fridge until the kisses harden up.

I left mine in the fridge while we went out to date night. We went to Texas Road House, becuse I ws having humongous cravings for chicken tenders. With honey on the side for dipping. You see, when I was little, my fvorite resturant meal ever was the chicken fingers at Friendly's. I would always get a pcaket of honey on the side to dip them in. I probably went through 3 or 4 packs of honey each time. To this day, I still njoy this meal. It just makes me happy.

I love havng a good dessert to come home to. I warmed up two cookies and served each with  scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. Yum.

GIVEAWAY!

In honor of my 400th post, I want to give all of you a little present for reading my words and making me a part of your day. I am going to put together a package for one "lucky" winner.

It will have:

Cookies

A painting

Extra surprises

To enter, simply leave a comment on this post. About anything. Anything at all.

You have until Monday night to enter, and I will pick a winner on Tuesday morning!