Chocolate and rainy days

I'm still settling into my new job- I've been there for almost three weeks now! It's such a great feeling after you start a new job, and everything all of a sudden makes sense. You know, the first few days of work you feel like you're not quite sure what to do, or where things are, or the names of your fellow coworkers. The past few shifts I've really felt like I know what I'm doing (for the most part: I still have LOTS to learn!).

I LOVE this job! I walk in, and it smells like chocolate. All of my coworkers are really friendly, and the hours just fly by. We work long hours in the chocolate room, but it's worth it. Every day, I feel a really great sense of accomplishment. I love working with my hands, and seeing all the people eating the chocolate I've helped to make feels really rewarding. Our store is where people come to escape, to enjoy a day off from work. Little kids press their faces up against the window to watch what we're doing, and parents snap pictures. I guess I should add that I work in a kitchen with a large beautiful glass window so that customers can see what we are doing. I love it- it makes me feel like I'm on stage!

It's really exciting that I'm doing something that I really enjoy.


Here's a quick little snap of some of the chocolates we make:

And they are delicious.

What's your favorite thing about your job?

Martha Stewart cookies!

For the past few days, I had a chocolate chip cookie craving. And not just any kind of chocolate chip cookie- the kind that is really chewy and not at all crispy! Apparently it's really hard to find a recipe for them, because the last few times I have been met with crunchy, terrible cookies!

No! They have to be soft, and they can't spread too thin while baking. After doing a little bit of research (the fourth link instead of the first on my google search), I found these Martha Stewart cookies! Now, reading the comments about this cookie- my favorite went along the lines of "it's not the recipe's fault if they don't taste good"- I decided to give it a go!

And they were JUST what I was craving! Hoooray! I used half milk chocolate chips and half peanut butter chips. Which in my opinion, is awesome. Check 'em out!

Yes!! Chewy at last!

Needless to say, I bookmarked that page and I'm going to use it as my go-to cookie!

Now who wants some cookies? I think I have about 300. Oh, what a problem! :)

Yarn, oh yarn!

I was feeling a bit low yesterday, so I decided to go to Mary Maxim for some quick yarn shopping!! It closed at 9pm, and I left my house at 8. I was home within the hour!

I was in and out in less than 20 minutes- if I stay longer, I either start to rethink my purchases or I decide to buy way more than I can afford! However, I've justified it by saying that people spend their "fun" money on different things: for me, it's crafting supplies! They make me happy.

I made a beeline RIGHT for all the bright colours- I almost got some teal and yellow yarn, but decided against it. For now. Oh, I'll be back.

There's more pink...it's just hiding!

I'm really excited- this is the one of the first times that I've bought yarn with a project in mind. Usually, I just buy one or two skeins of a pretty and insane yarn that catches my eye.

I was definitely grinning like a fool on the subway ride home, and I couldn't wait to display all my yarns on my couch!

What's been inspiring you lately?

Gone crochetin'

I've had quite the week, so I've been crocheting instead!

I learned how to do this on Friday, and I haven't been able to think of much else! Friday morning, I found this tutorial, and I said to myself "self, you would WAY rather be doing this than homework!" and promptly spent the next 6 hours working on some granny squares. It was totally worth the weird nerve/wrist pain!

 And voila...

Pardon the blur...

After running out of my rad purple yarn, I had to get myself to the internets and buy a few more skeins! I talk uncontrollably about my recent yarn purchases to anyone who will give me a glazed eyes and a nod. I'm pretty excited!

Crochet has always been my crafting nemesis: I can do pretty much anything craft wise that I set my mind to. You should have seen me in Girl Scouts! Crochet was the one thing that always fell out of my head, however.  My grandmother said that I held my crochet hook like a knitting needle, so I would revert back to knitting. I've learned how to crochet at least three or four times in my life. This time (fingers crossed) it stuck!!

I haven't been too inspired by any yarn-y crafts lately because I hate my entire stash of yarn! So I'm getting rid of it. That being said, anyone interested in some vintage-y yarns? Let me know :)

There's more where that came from!

I've totally needed some inspiration in my life. Now I wait (rather impatiently) for my yarn to arrive! It's going to be in all sorts of bright colours!

What's been inspiring you lately?

Brownies!!

I have a not so secret confession: I love brownies.

When I was a footloose and fancy free University student, I had a few friends that worked at the University's Women's Centre. I remember spending an entire spring afternoon (procrastinating, no doubt) going through their collection of zines. All of the ones I read were interesting, but only one sticks out in my memory, purely for it's bizarre and amazing topic. This happened at least three years ago, and I think it's kind of funny that I still remember it!

A guy took it upon himself to create an entire zine about brownies! What a great idea! He said that he made brownies for himself every day, which is quite an undertaking. His zine had tips on what a "perfect brownie" is, which is free of walnuts and chocolate chips. He added in a few recipes of his favorite brownies and some tips for making brownies. He also put in some pretty rad drawings! After a quick google search, I've found it! And I've definitely emailed them to ask if they can restock it.

I also remember that he had an email address listed, and I remember emailing him (even though the zine was made 5 years prior). He never responded. I'm still a bit sad about that.

I love brownies. They're delicious. When I want to eat what I bake, I usually want to eat brownies. In fact, I have a pan cooling on my stove AT THIS MOMENT.

And now they're on my rad spider plate!

I love sequins. I really really do!

Today I was feeling a bit low...or bored. I guess I couldn't decide. This recipe popped up on my twitter feed, and I got up right then and there and started baking! I decided to add a few extras, with some chopped up white chocolate and a Cadbury creme egg and they turned out great! I liked them, as I love all brownies, but these were a bit too "cakey" for me. Right after taking that picture, I promptly sat down and ate all three brownies. Delicious!

Do you have a favorite brownie recipe? Do you love brownies as much as I do?

Christmas baking

With the break upon me, I finally have some time to bake! I have been given the duty of baker (and by given, I asked to bake a bunch of things) for my family gathering on Christmas.

I've decided to go with a few family favorites- namely, Nanaimo bars. I used to bake them for my American friends all the time! In high school, my friend and I just HAD to make them! Without an oven, it was quite an adventure. We ended up using up my advent calendar chocolate, and borrowed an oven from a nearby house. The only pans we could find were very small and circular. But they turned out! When there's a need for Nanaimo bars, there is a way.

I'm also going to bake a cheesecake and top it with some crushed candy canes, to make it a bit more festive. I can't get enough of peppermint! I drink peppermint tea nightly and put peppermint extract wherever I can! This cheesecake is going to be off the hook, because I'm going to use some crushed up shortbread cookies (rescued from class) instead of the generic graham cracker crust.

I've also typed up a post all about pies, so I'm going to bake a mincemeat pie in honor of that. I can't wait to share the post and the pictures to follow!


I also have some sugar cookies and fruitcake from class that have been waiting patiently in my freezer just for Christmas!

Needless to say, I'm quite excited. Pictures to follow!