Dear Morning,
We don’t always get along. You come too soon at times. You leave me feeling exhausted. Yet sometimes you treat me to rainbow-colored skies, fluffy pink, purple, and orange clouds, and the sweet sounds of singing birds. You bring me velvety coffee and smooth tea. You bring me the first meal of the day. On rare occasions, you even bring me energy after a good night’s sleep. Good morning to you.
Dear Feet,
You carry me everywhere. I’ve been my most used mode of transportation over the last 32+ years. Some days you ache from all the places you take me. Some days I kick you up so you don’t have to ache. Some days I soak you to ease the burden. I’m thankful I have both of you, even if we’re suffering from bunions. Thank you for taking me places!
Dear Love,
Words cannot express the depth you’ve touched my life. I’ve journeyed with the same man for over 15 years, almost 14 of those as a married couple. Three beautiful children have shown me another facet of you. Strong bonds of friendship. Sweet furry creatures who’ve left pawprints on my heart. So many things in life exude LOVE.
Dear Home,
As of yesterday, you’ve been my humble abode for 4 years. We’ve seen some great times and some awful times. We’ve seen neighbors come and go. We’ve outlasted an owner and a bank ownership. You’ve been my sanctuary at the end of a long day, a place to rest my weary head and prepare myself for the coming days. At times you may have felt like a prison, but you’ve seen so many holidays and birthdays that I couldn’t feel that way anymore. Some fresh paint, a lot of decluttering, and a bit of decorating will revive you. Thank you for being my place.
Meet the cousin of the slutty brownies — the Fatty Cakes! These thick, delicious bars are my brainchild, the culmination of my favorite treats. I unleashed a pan full of diabetes upon my coworkers around Thanksgiving last year, spreading love and calories to as many as I could. Let’s dissect these, shall we? You’ll be needing chocolate chip cookie dough, peanut butter cups, cheesecake filling, chocolate sandwich cookies, and brownie batter.
Chocolate Chip Cookie layer
2 1/2 cups flour (I used gluten free)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup canolia oil
2 large eggs
1/2 tbsp vanilla
12oz bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips
Sift together the flour, powder, soda, and salt, then set aside. Cream together the sugars, butter, and oil until smooth and creamy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients and mix until combine. Stir in the chocolate chips, then set aside.
Cheesecake Filling layer
2 8oz blocks of cream cheese, softened
2 large eggs, beaten
2/3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/2 tbsp vanilla
Beat together the cream cheese and eggs, then add the powdered sugar. Beat carefully until combine. Add the cream and vanilla, and beat until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
Brownie layer
A box of your favorite brownie mix (I use a gluten free mix)
1 large egg
1/2 cup canola oil
1/4 cup kahlua
Mix together all your ingredients until combine. If your batter seems too thin, add some water or increase the amount of brownie batter. Set aside.
To Assemble:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a greased 9×13″ baking pan, press your cookie dough into the bottom of the pan. Arrange peanut butter cups into a 6 by 4 pattern (you’ll need 24 peanut butter cups). Smooth the cheesecake filling over the peanut butter cups. Arrange chocolate sandwich cookies into a 6 by 4 pattern (you’ll need 24 cookies). Cover the cookies with brownie batter. Pop that heavy pan into the oven and bake for 30 minutes. Allow them to cool for half an hour before refrigerating the pan. Let them set for another 30-60 minutes. Cut into 24 squares. Devour at your own risk!
Write A Fan Letter.
Dear Susannah Conway,
Your methods of unraveling life are brilliant. I have become accustomed to approaching each year in search of a word to guide me and to break down both the year gone and the year to come. Your beautiful soul shines like a beacon across the world wide web, and I think you should feel like a guiding light for all those who cross your path. Your photography and words inspire my creativity, and I’m so thankful that you share with all of us. Thank you for providing your innovative ideas to us. Thank you for being uniquely you. I don’t’ think I would live as rich of a life were it not for your words.
Like these posts? Check out Austin Kleon for more delicious ways to steal like an artist!
“Sit At Your Desk And Listen.” – Franz Kafka
I hear Brian playing Skyrim, the soft, vaguely celtic music providing ambience. Anna’s cleaning herself in the front windows, licking furiously and likely pulling out fur. Junior snorted contentedly as he sleeps in his puppy bed. The fridge motor is humming away as it cools the food. The dog on Skyrim barks randomly. Brian presses buttons on his controller, probably scrolling through a list. The sound of blacksmithing comes back.
Like these posts? Check out Austin Kleon for more delicious ways to steal like an artist!
Negative Manifesto:
I will not live in fear of the future anymore.
I will not let other people’s dreams stand in the way of mine.
I will not get any fatter — I will not resign myself to obesity.
I will not ignore my body’s cue for attention.
I will not allow depression and anxiety to define my life.
