Cheers to 2011 with Chocolates

It’s been quite an extraordinary year.  Being in Paris and learning patisserie has been like living a dream that I never even dared to dream.  I have so much to be thankful for and even more to look forward to in the next year.  I have no idea what’s to come, where I’m going, or what I’ll be doing, but I’m excited to see how all those answers unfold!

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December 31 2010 | chocolate & sweets and paris and recipe and thoughts | 11 Comments »

Christmas: Behind the Scenes

It’s been a bit quiet around here, but I haven’t forgotten about this little space!  I’ve been baking like a mad woman for a little cookie project I decided to undertake for the holidays.  I’m making cookie gift boxes to give as presents and to hand out as favors at various parties.  It’s been a lot of fun trying out new recipes, as well as disastrous.  I seriously thought I was cursed by the cookie gods, because everything I baked was either too difficult to work with, ugly, or ruined.  Luckily, my frustrations didn’t keep me from trying harder, because I did find a few solutions and good recipes that I think are keepers for the years to come.

Instead of a recipe, I thought I’d post a series of photographs showing my failures and mistakes.  This is for those who have become discouraged, exhausted, angry, and frustrated, or are in any other emotional turmoil because of baking.  Feel encouraged!  Holiday baking is so easy feat!

Langues de chat, more like blobs de chat.

Does anyone else find Dorie Greenspan’s shortbread extremely difficult to handle?!  Am I the ONE person in the whole world that just can’t follow Dorie??? continue reading »

December 16 2009 | thoughts | 9 Comments »