Buttermilk Pound Cake

The other night I met a young man who was fascinated with super heroes and their “powers“. He asked me what super power I wish I had. My mind quickly went to Super Man and Batman. And just as quickly I answered, “…none”. That was an honest answer at that moment. Superman’s powers did not interest me and Batman’s powers were money and cool gadgets.

Later that night while driving home I found myself still amused by the ideas and interests that occupy a 19-year-old boy’s mind when I remembered the super hero question from earlier. I guess if I could have a superpower, it would be the ability to go back in time.

Oh the heartache, stress, and tears I could have saved myself. For example, I should have told someone …I love you instead of …I hate you. I should have gone to meet K.S. because an amazing job was right around the corner and everything was going to turn out okay. I should have been a better friend to I.C., C. T., and E.P. instead, I was so preoccupied with my own pain that I was unable to see his or her own suffering.

Fortunately, I am surrounded by amazing friends who have astonishing hearts. The bumps in our friendship are now gone and we are back on track to our normal friendships. As for the …I love you, I think, we said too many harsh, mean, and spiteful words between us that we have gone past the point of repair. My heart will always remember your kind words and not the angry ones. For instance, I will always cherish the simple phrase you try live your life by …keep it simple, honest, and love unconditionally. Your words are a wonderful way to live by.

Thank you readers, friends, and family who continuously support, encourage, and love me unconditionally. I appreciate all that YOU do for me throughout the year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Love,
Gigi

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Buttermilk Pear Tart

This is one of those random recipes in which I put in no effort and expected nothing in return.

I am sure you’re familiar with this type of baking. For example, you have a cup of buttermilk about to expire, 2 pears that need to be eaten ASAP, one stick of butter, and you’re dying to bake something. So, you start “googling” your ingredients hoping to strike gold with a recipe.

I found a buttermilk cake/tart over at 101 Cookbooks. (I really love this site. I love the sides and main dishes from Heidi. She’s amazing!) And I actually had all the necessary ingredients (except raspberries which were replaced by the pears) to bake the tart.

I mixed the ingredients, poured batter into the pan, and threw the pears on top. It was only until the tart/cake came out of the oven and I had a taste; did I start to feel guilty. The cake was unbelievably delicious. Which made me feel embarrassed for just throwing the pears on top. I should have fanned them out and added the extra touches that a great cake deserves.

I was even more remorseful the next day when I warmed up a piece in the toaster oven and realized how great the cake still was. In order to alleviate myself of the shame I was feeling; I packed up the cake and took it over to a friend’s house. My friend later in the day sent me note stating that everyone enjoyed the cake and that it was all gone. And when would I be baking another?

The next time I find myself in this situation; I will give the recipe 110% because you never know when you might find a “gem”.

Fresh Blueberry Scones

In the beginning, I started this blog as way for my family, friends, and myself to have an archive of recipes with photos.

I would snap a quick photo and post it. Not too many words of introduction. Just a “…remember this? It was great! Yada, yada, yada. Here’s the recipe.” I would take photos in the middle of night full flash and no cropping. (Yikes!)

Maybe I was comfortable with the photos because it was just my family/friends looking at it. Then one day you showed up and left a comment. (Double yikes!) While the comment was exciting to receive, it changed they way I baked and documented. I started to think about you guys and wanting to give you a better blog. You took the time to read my thoughts and leave a positive comment.

So, I started to think about what to bake and how to photograph. And I hopefully I have done this with improvement over time. But the other day someone left me a comment on an old, old post. I then went to the original post and cringed at the sight of the photo. What’s my point here?

I guess I am asking …have you or would you ever redo any of your old posts? Would you take down those dark, grainy, and un-cropped photos? Would you rewrite the post as well? Or do you let them stand as a marker of your growths and experiences? I would love to hear what you think about the matter. In the meantime enjoy these tender delicate scones.

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