Christmas All Year

This morning while I was picking up around the house and putting away gift bags and organizing the house around new gifts, I was struck by an idea... one that I'm sure millions other have had, but it's one that deserves a voice.

I have two (at least) Christmas celebrations a year, Christmas Eve with my mom's side of the family, and Christmas day with my dad's.  These get togethers were so nice, everyone was laughing and reminiscing about days past.  Everyone was helpful and happy and eager to have a great time, there was no drama, no gossiping about people who couldn't make it (although there was lots of talk about how we missed the loved ones who were missing).  As far as I could tell there was no negativity, just love.

I realize my Christmas experience probably wasn't every one's, but if we could all take some of that day and apply it to the other 364 days out of the year I think the world could be a better place.  If we could just be more patient, more kind, more understanding, and show more love to our fellow planet dwellers there would have to be less pain, stress, and suffering all around.  I know it sounds too easy, but if we all made tiny changes, we could collectively make a huge impact.

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season, and that we can all tackle the new year with hope in our hearts.

Dream State Escalate: 46

I know, I haven't posted in my dream journal in almost 6 months... and it isn't that I haven't been dreaming or that they aren't noteworthy, it's more that my time feels more limited.  I haven't posted as much anywhere in my blog, as I have in years past.  Hopefully in the New Year, I'll make more time and post more frequently.  Until then, here's my dream from last night:

I owned a bakery/restaurant, called "Plated," that specialized in desserts that looked like other foods.  Our biggest seller was what we called the "Steak Plate" it featured a red velvet cake that was decorated to look like a t-bone steak (rare), a scoop of vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce (to look like mashed potatoes and gravy), and a pile of green mini M&Ms (a side of peas).  The other big ticket item were white chocolate "fried eggs."

I woke up so inspired. Now I want to get in the kitchen and start baking some Christmas confections, too bad I have to work.

Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood... Shortbread

A few years ago my dad bought me "Homecooking with Trisha Yearwood" it had been on my Amazon wishlist for awhile and I was really excited to get it.  It's beautiful and I love all the little personal tips and notes she has put into it. If I had a large enough coffee table, it would definitely be one of those books you leave out for guests to go through.  Anyway I've had it for years, but never got around to making any of the recipes, I love cook books, but typically don't use them. I don't know... weird quirk of mine I guess.

I happened to be looking through it yesterday, and saw this recipe and HAD TO MAKE it. HAD TO. I even went to the store to get the ingredients (even though most of them are staples in a baker's kitchen).  This is seriously the easiest cookie recipe I've ever made.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup self rising flour
• 1/2 cup butter (1 stick) room temperature
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and spray a 9in pie pan with cooking oil (I used coconut oil, but any spray should do).
• Mix all ingredients in an electric mixer until combined.  It doesn't get smooth, it's kind of grainy looking.
• Spread mixture evenly across the pie pan
• Bake for 25 minutes
• Allow to cool, then slice and serve.

I'm thinking this would be DELICIOUS if they were dipped/drizzled in chocolate and topped with fresh berries and homemade whipped cream, just make a whole decadent dessert of out it. I haven't tried that yet, but I can't see how it could possible go wrong.