Well, since it snowed (?!?!) in New York yesterday, I finally feel like I can say it — it’s the holiday season! Granted, nothing accumulated, but I left my apartment to catch the subway and got smacked in the eye with a big ol’ flake. Nice to see you too, winter.
Anyway, that plus a gingerbread latte have me thinking family gatherings and lots of food. Chances are you’re looking for something to bring to your holiday get-togethers — and this Chocolate Swirl Pumpkin Bread is a winning candidate!
Well hi! It seems like ages since I’ve haunted this space. There are a couple of reasons for my blog absence that I feel like I should share with you guys before we get to these riiiiidiculous cookie bars.
One of my favorite things about Valentine’s Day is the chocolate. PSA to my boyfriend (as if he didn’t already know): a holiday that encourages the consumption of chocolate in any form provides you with a guaranteed way to make me smile.
I know we’re still a couple of weeks out, but I figure some of you out there might be trying to plan a treat to make for the ones you love on February 14. Dare I suggest this triple chocolate quick bread? You can serve it as a sweet breakfast-in-bed item, or break it out for dessert (top it with a scoop of ice cream–calories consumed on holidays don’t count).
I’m a stress baker.
You can all sympathize, right? I’m thinking specifically of my senior year of college, just before winter break, when I had one massive exam the next day. Let’s be clear–I was an English major. We didn’t do exams. We did papers. Write you 15 gorgeous pages on Joyce’s Ulysses? Sign me up. Multiple-choice questions, concept IDs, and timed short answer questions?! Not. So. Much.
So there, I was, trying to memorize a semester’s worth of political philosophy in one night, and what was I doing? Melting butter, measuring sugar, covering our apartment kitchen in flour, and adding an extra handful of chocolate chips.
More cookies!! I told you it’s my favorite time of the year. 🙂
So, last year I went light and bright with my flavors for the Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap…but this year, we went deep, dark, and chocolatey!
Two days till Thanksgiving. Two. Days! I can smell the stuffing now, people. If you haven’t figured it out by now, I could happily make my meal on this carbiest of side dishes alone…even the turkey seems gratuitous sometimes.
In spite of my preoccupation with the entree, though, I always make sure to leave room for dessert. And just in case you’re still scrambling for something sweet to counteract the tryptophan, I’m sharing these bangarang (technical term) brownies with you.
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Today is an exciting day! Know why? A group of lovely food bloggers (spearheaded by the fabulous Brandy and Brandi) have joined together to celebrate Rachel, of Rachel Cooks! She’s expecting her baby boy in just a few weeks, and since we can’t all just show up at her house in person with treats, we’re throwing her a shower Internet-style. 🙂
Well, hi there. How are you doing? It’s been two days since Hurricane Sandy blew out of the tristate, but the New York metro area is definitely still feeling its effects. I was one of the very, very lucky ones who did not lose power throughout the storm, but my hometown is completely in the dark with multiple trees fallen on every street. I’ve been able to keep in touch with my family periodically, and my parents have a small generator they’ve been using to run the fridge, but things are definitely messy.
With that said, it’s nothing compared to what residents of parts of Long Island, the Jersey shore and Breezy Point are dealing with at the moment. Please keep the millions affected in your thoughts and prayers–rebuilding is happening, and we’re a resilient bunch, but this storm touched so many.
For me? Pancakes are the ultimate comfort food. Sweet, but not overly so; reminiscent of childhood meals where you were in disbelief that you actually got to have cake for breakfast. And now that I live on my own? Pancakes are my favorite reminder that–as a grown-up–I totally get to have dinner drenched in syrup if I want to.
August. The month that gives meaning to the term “the dog days of summer.” Like many of the other bloggers whose posts I read, I’m in total disbelief that it’s already halfway through the month–and that summer is nearly over. Now, don’t get me wrong, the days upon days of sweltering heat seem plenty long while I’m in ’em, but I turned around and all of you who’ve got kiddies are posting back-to-school pictures. What?!
(Nerd consolation: I’m going back to school this year too! Time to go to Staples!! Buying notebooks = one of my favorite things.)
Chip Chip Hooray! 