tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40605692588573537142024-03-05T13:02:18.590-08:00Cheesy PenniesA penny's worth of thoughts, with cheese on topCheesy Pennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740907878961625797noreply@blogger.comBlogger580125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060569258857353714.post-69295094806317608362015-12-16T06:00:00.000-08:002015-12-16T12:51:56.828-08:00Ready for their close up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h3jx8bUpD5A/VnEfYvcxmPI/AAAAAAAB8o0/8ECupCl6HtU/s1600/DSC_0096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Autumn Spice Cookies | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h3jx8bUpD5A/VnEfYvcxmPI/AAAAAAAB8o0/8ECupCl6HtU/s640/DSC_0096.JPG" title="Autumn Spice Cookies | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
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Just over six years ago, I wrote a <a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2009/11/flavor-of-fall.html" target="_blank">post about these cookies</a>. Blandly listed in the <a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/p/recipe-box.html" target="_blank">Recipe Box</a> as "Autumn Spice Cookies" right after the very distracting <a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-charlie-browniest-time-of-year-part_19.html" target="_blank">Amaretto Brownies with a Cream Cheese Swirl</a>, they've been hiding in the archives like a little undiscovered nugget that only I knew about. <br>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F9JxqeEV2zI/VnEh3DduwbI/AAAAAAAB8qU/7lDsLDqlt_M/s1600/DSC_0350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Autumn Spice Cookies - Original Recipe | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F9JxqeEV2zI/VnEh3DduwbI/AAAAAAAB8qU/7lDsLDqlt_M/s640/DSC_0350.JPG" title="Autumn Spice Cookies - Original Recipe | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
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I was 100% fine with that, because they were my private, personal favorite cookies, and I loved them enough for all of you*. <br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJVv-4nmczW4lKN-L9m96aiUU32VDJ-d_8Elqe3lUZpRCTcPsXKxv5cH3-J-Je6y05YbIz2VIdlP6lqVKY97iC6KO0_kAEmoqM_7vaXG79dmlHfLYg8g4vC8s9OQ8HXb64TW55kyM7Jos/s1600/DSC_0883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Apple Cider Syrup | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJVv-4nmczW4lKN-L9m96aiUU32VDJ-d_8Elqe3lUZpRCTcPsXKxv5cH3-J-Je6y05YbIz2VIdlP6lqVKY97iC6KO0_kAEmoqM_7vaXG79dmlHfLYg8g4vC8s9OQ8HXb64TW55kyM7Jos/s640/DSC_0883.JPG" title="Apple Cider Syrup | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a><br>
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Then, I went and made them better. I threw in some homemade apple cider syrup and it got ridiculous how good they were. It was just plain <i>wrong</i> to keep them to myself.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHI59vB1y9WY0IKxk146n6JMZpcliqt1OAr8A4HcrGOICZ4-Du_Q0QbPJXDMFB0cTbWtjCGndxqx-JFzjSghKc4prkfX3vpFQ0lCF2xEf6YFpMvl6FjJuFaA26XU5g46LfVaDiyfr4aNf/s1600/Molasses+Cookie+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Apple Cider Molasses Cookie | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHI59vB1y9WY0IKxk146n6JMZpcliqt1OAr8A4HcrGOICZ4-Du_Q0QbPJXDMFB0cTbWtjCGndxqx-JFzjSghKc4prkfX3vpFQ0lCF2xEf6YFpMvl6FjJuFaA26XU5g46LfVaDiyfr4aNf/s640/Molasses+Cookie+2.jpg" title="Apple Cider Molasses Cookie | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a><br>
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So I put them on the menu over at <a href="http://www.mominthemail.com/" target="_blank">Mom in the Mail</a> as a seasonal special, secretly hoping that no one would notice them in the midst of the <a href="http://goo.gl/bXa7M9" target="_blank">adorable apple pies</a>.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNbKMo_gjCxHHEs67Q_uYZjbG3JTMgUYEiDfAXWi6_kyrblwa0RFOHiJq3hg7LTkiak3s61PUeIc4Uo85llQVF-t68zGPfNnYJ4lhYx0e4H2la7YH_wpw0blVkYyo-8mWUNNo7YpJFvxr/s1600/Cookie+Text+Molasses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNbKMo_gjCxHHEs67Q_uYZjbG3JTMgUYEiDfAXWi6_kyrblwa0RFOHiJq3hg7LTkiak3s61PUeIc4Uo85llQVF-t68zGPfNnYJ4lhYx0e4H2la7YH_wpw0blVkYyo-8mWUNNo7YpJFvxr/s400/Cookie+Text+Molasses.jpg" width="390"></a></div>
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They noticed.<br>
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But maybe, just maybe, I could have kept the lid on 'em.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyv0iU4wU37MbcrxfmLurq-5zY28itFWutAs8BkVTNkeSgD9YUcOhicqGAVC5KhlCKeL3CYVwG77Vaeo7iAzvXy1S25ZRAZiAyUehJBhTj4aLH47WE-g7ONaF0mTwy5MJcE5GXmdPeoxcr/s1600/Molasses+Cookie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Apple Cider Molasses Cookie | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyv0iU4wU37MbcrxfmLurq-5zY28itFWutAs8BkVTNkeSgD9YUcOhicqGAVC5KhlCKeL3CYVwG77Vaeo7iAzvXy1S25ZRAZiAyUehJBhTj4aLH47WE-g7ONaF0mTwy5MJcE5GXmdPeoxcr/s640/Molasses+Cookie.jpg" title="Apple Cider Molasses Cookie | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a>Until the burnt sugar bits went in and it officially became a crime for these <i>not</i> to be famous. Kind of like when that indy singer who's been playing for years at the bar down the street hooks up with Disclosure and suddenly becomes Sam Smith.<br>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LFL0XjeM37w/Vm_v1vlvmUI/AAAAAAAB8oE/eaimgr2eoQc/s1600/DSC_1708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Apple Cider Molasses Cookie with Burnt Sugar Bits | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LFL0XjeM37w/Vm_v1vlvmUI/AAAAAAAB8oE/eaimgr2eoQc/s640/DSC_1708.JPG" title="Apple Cider Molasses Cookie with Burnt Sugar Bits | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a><br>
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This is clearly something that Cheesy Pennies is not equipped to tackle alone**, but thanks to the <a href="http://www.fbcookieswap.com/" target="_blank">5th Annual Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap</a>***, I don't have to. It is a responsibility that <a href="http://www.juliebakes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Julie</a>, <a href="http://greeneyedcountrygirl.com/" target="_blank">Anna</a>, <a href="http://stickafork.net/" target="_blank">Chrissy</a> and I now share****.<br>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_SEsHOr_O_Q/Vm_v8Z3wb2I/AAAAAAAB8oM/bvc_p_TVULw/s1600/DSC_1745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap Box | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_SEsHOr_O_Q/Vm_v8Z3wb2I/AAAAAAAB8oM/bvc_p_TVULw/s640/DSC_1745.JPG" title="Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap Box | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a><br>
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If you make them, you'll have to spread the word, too. They truly deserve their shot at the big time.<br>
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<a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2015/12/ready-for-their-close-up.html#more">Read on for the recipe (and more photos!) »</a>Cheesy Pennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740907878961625797noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060569258857353714.post-49455583191499081732015-12-14T07:48:00.000-08:002015-12-15T11:28:58.503-08:00When in doubt, just talk about chocolate or throw in a really long quoteI'm up late tonight, on stand-by for the final grammar check as my daughter is struggling with an English essay. Truth be told, I'm struggling, too, with the sheer <a href="http://www.cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-charlie-browniest-time-of-year-part.html" target="_blank">December-ness</a> of everything. The idea of crafting a clever blog post is a <a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2014/03/this-should-be-real-post.html" target="_blank">bit beyond me right now</a>*.<br>
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She's sorting through relevant passages, trying to prove a point about totalitarianism and manipulative language. I would say this is what you get for procrastinating but...<br>
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Pot = Black<br>
Apple = Right up against the damn tree<br>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qaDYNL-RZ48/Vm6vCi7-M1I/AAAAAAAB8gk/iHFa5AdhIaI/s1600/DSC_1795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chocolate Olive Oil Cake a la Gjusta | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qaDYNL-RZ48/Vm6vCi7-M1I/AAAAAAAB8gk/iHFa5AdhIaI/s640/DSC_1795.JPG" title="Chocolate Olive Oil Cake a la Gjusta | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
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How about some chocolate cake while we wait? It could be a long night.</div>
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<a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2015/12/when-in-doubt-just-talk-about-chocolate.html#more">Read on for the recipe (and more photos!) »</a>Cheesy Pennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740907878961625797noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060569258857353714.post-7333507590078266772015-11-17T03:19:00.000-08:002015-11-17T11:40:27.402-08:00I didn't know you had a cat"I didn't know you had a cat."<br />
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People said that to us all the time. But we did.<br />
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He wasn't much for parties. He was more of a hang out on the pillow watching Netflix kind of guy.<br />
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If we needed the carpet systematically shredded at every doorway to expose fiendishly sharp nails to bare feet in the night, he had us covered. Likewise if our laptops were somehow devoid of cat hair and the keyboard required some random paw strokes to complete that Powerpoint presentation? Fiki to the rescue.<br />
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God forbid you should actually want to read a book.<br />
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It was futile to think he would use a scratching post when there was upholstery available in all kinds of expensive fabrics and formats.<br />
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When we first brought him home, almost seventeen years ago, he made a beeline for my overstuffed office and disappeared for three days. We found him hidden behind my CFA notebooks, skinny and scared. Later, it would still sometimes take us hours to locate him, purring in a nest of cables and wires behind the television, or daintily tucked into a basket of bills that was seemingly far to small to hold him.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1LH3c7S6Xs4/VkMT5OX6YJI/AAAAAAAB5mA/smSkv6W7dvg/s1600/Rafiki%2BwChair%2BString.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1LH3c7S6Xs4/VkMT5OX6YJI/AAAAAAAB5mA/smSkv6W7dvg/s640/Rafiki%2BwChair%2BString.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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He was wild for the scent of strawberries.<br />
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"Ra-FI-ki!" I would yell into the darkened yard, after he madly made a break through the side door we'd foolishly left cracked open. All I could hear was the tinkle of the bell around his collar as he headed out for all the adventure freedom could bring. Most of the time, he wound up howling at the door to our bedroom, grumpy and damp, a few hours later. Once, though, I found a raw notch in his ear from a knock-down, drag-out ear-splitting* battle he had on the lawn at 2 am.<br />
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He rocked that notch.<br />
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He was wary of strangers, but not unfriendly. Regulars earned a stroll-by and pause for a rub down the back. My niece earned a special gift** placed under her bed in exchange for all the Pounce and bedtime stories when she visited. <br />
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He was not fond of closed doors.<br />
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But he could be extremely "helpful" with Christmas wrapping.<br />
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After years of avoiding my daughter because of her childhood tendency to either grab him and carry him everywhere or run up to him and yell, they finally reached a truce as one of them matured.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-flFFrGMmrLU/VkMT5L_cwXI/AAAAAAAB5mA/SLOVbzPY3FQ/s1600/Rafiki%2Band%2BRachel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-flFFrGMmrLU/VkMT5L_cwXI/AAAAAAAB5mA/SLOVbzPY3FQ/s640/Rafiki%2Band%2BRachel.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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He was completely devoted to my son, as they both made the same lifestyle choices of remaining prone in comfortable places with entertaining things to watch.<br />
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He tolerated and then taunted <a href="http://www.cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2014/10/there-are-no-words.html" target="_blank">Blackjack</a>, sauntering through the kitchen and claiming the couch as soon as the dog retired to the porch, one eye open to watch the cat preening contentedly in his just-vacated spot on the rug. It was almost as though they took shifts being the family pet, and Rafiki had nights.<br />
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Night was really our time, his and mine. He'd walk over my husband's legs to sit on me and watch TV, and then wait patiently as I sat at the kitchen counter and answered email or drafted blog posts after everyone else had gone to bed.<br />
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Mostly he was nearby, in companionable silence. More recently, with <a href="http://www.cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2015/05/bark-bark.html" target="_blank">the puppy</a> refusing to politely excuse herself from the kitchen like her predecessor, I'd head down the hall and hear the bell following me as he emerged from a chair or under the bed. Teeth brushed, I'd carefully climb under the covers only to find a solid form taking up all the foot room. Inevitably, he would migrate and nestle down right on top of my head, kneading blissfully away with his claws, snarling my hair and purring so loudly I was sure he'd wake the rest of the family. <br />
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Then, we would sleep.<br />
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Yes, we had a cat. <br />
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I wish with all my heart we still did.<br />
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Rest in peace, Rafiki</div>
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1998-2015</div>
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* Literally, he split his ear.<br />
** Dead mouse. He was also an ace lizard tail remover. Cheesy Pennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740907878961625797noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060569258857353714.post-56462874255340167292015-10-30T17:53:00.003-07:002015-11-17T10:14:21.425-08:00K's last dayLos Angeles, like many sprawling cities, has a lot of residential areas that run smack into major business thoroughfares. Our house, for example, is on a quiet curving street without sidewalks, full of huge trees and long driveways, but it is also a block and a half from a busy car wash, a bus stop, <a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2011/08/ive-been-little-busy.html" target="_blank">my office building</a>, and two grocery stores. It is conveniently located for <a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2011/09/csi-my-house.html" target="_blank">mass murderers</a> and <a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2010/05/cinco-de-bow-wow.html" target="_blank">the dog park</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JKQAEFbIoHU/VjQgdHZTNnI/AAAAAAAB5EY/GYqaytK7AjU/s1600/IMG_20151030_135118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="K's Donuts and Burgers | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JKQAEFbIoHU/VjQgdHZTNnI/AAAAAAAB5EY/GYqaytK7AjU/s640/IMG_20151030_135118.jpg" title="K's Donuts and Burgers | Cheesy Pennies" width="480" /></a></div>
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Right at the corner, tucked into the same parking lot as that car wash and an auto repair place, is K's Donuts and Burgers. I think we picked up doughnuts for the movers the day our van pulled into the driveway, and it's been a part of our lives ever since. <br />
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It's a total hole in the wall, with dingy formica counters and a brusque couple working the register. It's cash only. On weekdays, they make burgers and sandwiches, and the lunch special of a quarter-pound cheeseburger, fries and a soda for $6.50 is a steal. Can you get a grilled cheese sandwich? No. Is it the greatest burger ever? Nah. But it's grilled fresh, the fries are piping hot and perfectly salted, and it's $6.50 with a drink, for heaven's sake. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eRRqEGEceSY/VjQgdMGiw-I/AAAAAAAB5EY/S3ybKx8Gr3Y/s1600/IMG_20151030_135540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="K's Lunch Special | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eRRqEGEceSY/VjQgdMGiw-I/AAAAAAAB5EY/S3ybKx8Gr3Y/s640/IMG_20151030_135540.jpg" title="K's Lunch Special | Cheesy Pennies" width="640" /></a><br />
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When we first allowed the kids to leave the house on their own, it was to walk to K's with the dog and get their own lunch. They'd return home, clutching the brown paper bag, supremely proud of themselves not only for the solo outing, but for managing the wad of seven ones we'd given them so proficiently. Later, when they were starving after school, it was always a rush to try and get there before the grill closed at 4 o'clock.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W7XylQ9SLAA/VjQgdAJTP_I/AAAAAAAB5EY/PSPBbc6Hj0Q/s1600/IMG_20151030_134015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="K's Glazed Old Fashioned | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W7XylQ9SLAA/VjQgdAJTP_I/AAAAAAAB5EY/PSPBbc6Hj0Q/s640/IMG_20151030_134015.jpg" title="K's Glazed Old Fashioned | Cheesy Pennies" width="616" /></a><br />
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The lunch special is a deal, but the doughnuts are magic. The glazed old fashioneds, shown here, are my gold standard for what that doughnut should be. Slightly tangy from the buttermilk, tender on the inside, crispy on the outside. Man! So great. Rumor has it they use the original <a href="http://www.stansdoughnuts.com/" target="_blank">Stan's </a>recipe, which makes it even more of a miracle for us to have them here in this nondescript strip of Encino. <br />
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I've talked about K's doughnuts <a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2009/09/some-people-say-it-with-flowers.html" target="_blank">here on the blog </a>more than once. Leaving early for Disneyland? <a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2012/07/how-to-do-disneyland-tried-and-true.html" target="_blank">Stop at K's</a>. First day of a new school year? Stop at K's. My son even ran into the headmaster early one morning as they both lined up for fresh doughnuts. Our office countertop was graced with a bright pink box on more mornings than I can count over the past four years, and we were all the happier (if a little heavier) for it.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GsNoJ1xzJzY/VjQgdK80lzI/AAAAAAAB5EY/atS2EUALAc4/s1600/IMG_20151030_134249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="538" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GsNoJ1xzJzY/VjQgdK80lzI/AAAAAAAB5EY/atS2EUALAc4/s640/IMG_20151030_134249.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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About a month ago, the car wash suddenly closed, and a chain link fence appeared around the driveway. The auto shop, never all that busy, shuttered. A developer had purchased the lot, and was rapidly pushing the tenants out to make room for yet another cookie cutter apartment complex on a street already riddled with them. The owners at K's vowed to stay put, and we cheered, hopeful and glad that the little guy was going to win the day.<br />
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But then they didn't. Today was K's last day.<br />
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The shop was packed. Firemen, employees from the grocery store, nurses and doctors, plumbers and practically our entire office all made the pilgrimage to grab a burger, a tuna sandwich, a box of fries, and the last maple bars. Everyone shook hands with the owners, who were still hustling and frantically calling out numbers. "Number 2? Double burger with jalapenos? It's ready!" One woman pressed her card into the cashier's hand. "When you get a new place, you CALL me. I will tell EVERYONE. You hear me? I can't believe this."<br />
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I can't believe it either. Yes, it's LA. Change is part of the fabric of the city. There are many other great , great doughnut stores in town, some quite close by. But none of them are our doughnut store. None of them are K's.*<br />
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* Technically, there is actually another K's Donuts two miles away, but it's not the <i>same</i> K's.<br />
All photos from this post were taken with my phone on my own last day pilgrimage. Cheesy Pennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740907878961625797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060569258857353714.post-59617764121976001122015-10-13T06:30:00.000-07:002015-10-13T14:44:13.935-07:00The only crisp thing about Fall around hereIt's midnight, and the temperature in my kitchen right now is 82 degrees. Yes, that is correct. The absolute coolest it has been today is 82 degrees, and I had to stay awake until now to experience it.<br>
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<a href="http://some.ly/PSgJPO" target="_blank"><img src="http://cdn.someecards.com/someecards/usercards/1340504711858_6046702.png" height="448" width="640"></a>
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I've been "glistening" for weeks, along with the rest of LA, as Fall has apparently been kicked to the curb so that summer can just hang out here for a bit while the rest of the country gets to have soup and break out the flattering knitwear.<br>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yacCE08rZd4/VhytNxtm1LI/AAAAAAAB4z0/uikOmvnj068/s1600/DSC_0119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Toffee Bars | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="423" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yacCE08rZd4/VhytNxtm1LI/AAAAAAAB4z0/uikOmvnj068/s640/DSC_0119.JPG" title="Toffee Bars | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
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Not that I'm bitter or anything. I just want to want to get under the covers sometime soon, that's all.<br>
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In lieu of the elusive crisp autumn days, I had to settle for these crisp shortbread bars. Mind you, my idea of settling involves brown sugar, pecans, and chocolate.<br>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3VMXx_TU-vo/VhytQm1ozjI/AAAAAAAB40Q/7oJKR4Mmzeo/s1600/DSC_0123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Toffee Bars | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3VMXx_TU-vo/VhytQm1ozjI/AAAAAAAB40Q/7oJKR4Mmzeo/s640/DSC_0123.JPG" title="Toffee Bars | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a><br>
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Glistening burns a ton of calories.<br>
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<a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-only-crisp-thing-about-fall-around.html#more">Read on for the recipe (and more photos!) »</a>Cheesy Pennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740907878961625797noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060569258857353714.post-82842152911142250722015-09-28T02:33:00.002-07:002015-09-30T01:14:15.531-07:00Fast Food for Grown Ups<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I spent the past few days with <a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2013/04/i-didnt-make-plan.html" target="_blank">my son</a>, doing the Parents' Weekend thing at his school. Officially, there were campus tours, a football game to watch, long lines at the bookstore where everyone had some variety of sweatshirt in hand, a speech by the university president to be inspired by, not-so-subtle references to upcoming capital campaigns, opportunities to chat with professors and sit in on classes, and a slew of other activities designed to reinforce the wisdom of entrusting this place with our children. </div>
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Unofficially, we were there to get an extra large pizza for leftover purposes, provide transportation to the haircut place, and go to Target and pay*. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJ77CHu1eQfljeNh_uaD23_E_3PgeD3f3ByWA5YynNI77pH7sE4CEivJoQ_SvXqqulej7PnlaTtiIYYltdGONNGRI-jeTwvshvqXhRMPsWN8vmL0OA0BtTOkyfmIly34qU3bjACrfWY-o/s1600/10349211_10206299485990763_4876906688998175343_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cart full of college staples | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJ77CHu1eQfljeNh_uaD23_E_3PgeD3f3ByWA5YynNI77pH7sE4CEivJoQ_SvXqqulej7PnlaTtiIYYltdGONNGRI-jeTwvshvqXhRMPsWN8vmL0OA0BtTOkyfmIly34qU3bjACrfWY-o/s640/10349211_10206299485990763_4876906688998175343_n.jpg" title="Cart full of college staples | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
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<i>Taken last year, but literally, we just bought this exact same stuff yesterday.</i></div>
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I totally get the idea that sometimes you need food, fast**.</div>
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I just have a very different idea about what that should look like.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R91B2gOZLZI/Vgd6y1SWaDI/AAAAAAAB4qY/qLsV4ZW7j30/s1600/DSC_9775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Swordfish with Cracked Pepper | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R91B2gOZLZI/Vgd6y1SWaDI/AAAAAAAB4qY/qLsV4ZW7j30/s640/DSC_9775.JPG" title="Swordfish with Cracked Pepper | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
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<a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2015/09/fast-food-for-grown-ups.html#more">Read on for the recipe (and more photos!) »</a>Cheesy Pennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740907878961625797noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060569258857353714.post-70224220721222376712015-09-04T07:00:00.000-07:002015-09-04T15:44:00.642-07:00A Birthday Present for MomDear <a href="http://www.cheesypennies.blogspot.com/search/label/Mom" target="_blank">Mom</a>,<br />
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I have a big surprise for your birthday today. For the first time ever, I think I found the perfect gift. Are you ready?<br />
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Remember when I was away at school, and you'd send me boxes full of <a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2011/10/u-pick.html" target="_blank">Dudley's fruit bars</a> and a massive pack of Bic pens from the Price Club? There would always be a note inside, in your perfect cursive handwriting, with a tidbit about the guinea pigs or the cat or something funny about Mrs. Schneiders next door. <a href="http://www.cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2010/01/as-miss-clavel-says-something-is-not.html" target="_blank">Advice</a> and a prayer were usually included, too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ak_xbSvQo4CHXHw2XMZ1uGQvjHo6gNuX5LzybCv1dCKU9oQDhD_zKLM17G5xv_CHOssE_JvIBsp_6AQJfoN8YZrfne2lVZPNeX5jl535eHtBwHOBTGd68SKkW0gOHYerISzvdNLZkq9q/s1600/DSC_9669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ak_xbSvQo4CHXHw2XMZ1uGQvjHo6gNuX5LzybCv1dCKU9oQDhD_zKLM17G5xv_CHOssE_JvIBsp_6AQJfoN8YZrfne2lVZPNeX5jl535eHtBwHOBTGd68SKkW0gOHYerISzvdNLZkq9q/s640/DSC_9669.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Remember how you invented your own version of <a href="http://www.redenvelope.com/" target="_blank">Red Envelope</a> when your grandkids were born and living a thousand miles away from you? We unwrapped outfits, bought on sale, with the extra senior discount and free gift wrapping. Each one was topped with a bright red envelope with the grandchild's name spelled out in colorful stickers, and another handwritten note, this time in clear block letters for them to "read". <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqNVY5JJdjRuBEy9KLYFBMbzW7-jjsWJxKdnODkipbg_ZWJ9p1moOjhK4oLLOdWiacRI_l0pAH-lGm1fu-W3AbrOUGQHgmDvOovItfI3JT8BywPczQDIkAL6vFAk5dAh6DEks6XPhIsJP/s1600/DSC_9668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqNVY5JJdjRuBEy9KLYFBMbzW7-jjsWJxKdnODkipbg_ZWJ9p1moOjhK4oLLOdWiacRI_l0pAH-lGm1fu-W3AbrOUGQHgmDvOovItfI3JT8BywPczQDIkAL6vFAk5dAh6DEks6XPhIsJP/s640/DSC_9668.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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You even befriended the lady at the <a href="http://www.cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2010/04/but-guinea-pigs-dont-send-care-packages.html" target="_blank">Burbank Post Office</a>, convinced that your packages full of diaper coupons and nubby crocheted blankets heading out to new moms would get special expedited treatment*. <br />
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I loved getting those packages, and so did all the many, many other people who were lucky enough to find one of your <a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2010/03/not-in-cards.html" target="_blank">priority mail boxes</a> on their front stoop. But now, I finally understand that sending them meant even more to you.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAS9ibgjYrfYwnJ0wxNkwVAyivF7o2_YaOseMInLhbw4GHO-zHOeUMt1GPYL27FL2-nUggpV_8ZalrKbD2kwNXhr1FhuJtJuntrUbSgJyPrkyEbQH4ff9xrljqCCYER5XcpjJYg2l_cXV_/s1600/DSC_9654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAS9ibgjYrfYwnJ0wxNkwVAyivF7o2_YaOseMInLhbw4GHO-zHOeUMt1GPYL27FL2-nUggpV_8ZalrKbD2kwNXhr1FhuJtJuntrUbSgJyPrkyEbQH4ff9xrljqCCYER5XcpjJYg2l_cXV_/s640/DSC_9654.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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You were alone, but your heart was full of us. Of your children no longer under foot. Of your grandchildren babbling and walking without you. So you took all that caring and worry and pride and pure aching wish to be near them and boxed it up and put it in the mail, with cookies. You taped it with care, and walked the few blocks to the Post Office. You probably felt immensely better immediately, picturing the faces when the package was opened, knowing the love inside was from you. <br />
<br />
When Jasper <a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2014/09/im-back.html" target="_blank">left for college last year</a>, I wanted nothing more than to call you and say, "I get it! I barely thought of you the whole time I was at school and you just <i>accepted it</i> and sent cookies? I'm so <i>sorry</i>. Oh my God! How did you survive this?!? "<br />
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But it was me on my own this time. I couldn't call you. You were <a href="http://www.cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2011/04/worth-fortune.html" target="_blank">gone</a>, too.<br />
<br />
So I started baking. I took all my caring and worry and pride and aching to be near him and <a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2014/11/care-packages.html" target="_blank">boxed it up and put it in the mail</a>, with cookies. I taped it with care and drove the few blocks to the Post Office.**<br />
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I felt immensely better. I survived.<br />
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It turned out you knew <i>exactly</i> what to do, Mom. And now I do, too.<br />
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<img alt="Mom in the Mail: Best Care Packages Ever" border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-oHspNZn3HRwhqqxEwX0Y95M3BJF22W5ix9eu9spDCDsubYKquNad4fsmwCM7YD0q39oWTkR9l9YWREDxhEaNYLx-07L5zHPj1KX56J49gSsoM_VxxM1fwW2NoHsfGvkgg3CRP2FIzU5/s640/Mom+in+the+Mail.tiff" title="Mom in the Mail: Best Care Packages Ever" width="640" /></div>
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I started a care package company, and I named it after you. <br />
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It's called <a href="http://www.mominthemail.com/" target="_blank">Mom in the Mail</a>.***<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTLzKCHNnKfsLDR2PKuD6tux7w0jGNgojAjivZ7Cpb8LpSqTsUoqXA6vnLIK5Ra-Cr5lZFnCPmZsN_jHR4cK4wwomuyI-0vvyg42_x-pnYsrb5Si14br8yY0EjEu7Ik3C8mro_s6kxcIp/s1600/DSC_9652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTLzKCHNnKfsLDR2PKuD6tux7w0jGNgojAjivZ7Cpb8LpSqTsUoqXA6vnLIK5Ra-Cr5lZFnCPmZsN_jHR4cK4wwomuyI-0vvyg42_x-pnYsrb5Si14br8yY0EjEu7Ik3C8mro_s6kxcIp/s640/DSC_9652.JPG" width="640" /></a>Happy Birthday, Mom.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyU8AhizGTeNA0qNegA9aI4odGDgV37YfU5fLMpMPAnWcqAk1k0mtLJyd3ZYXEeljUG3DM9mNRgerFeJhnRKZbHF4eu1bB6HyQJVTMw0LlOWSck5DPqKDeTG9FyyNagFUjcmt-uQHvjS1L/s1600/DSC_9663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyU8AhizGTeNA0qNegA9aI4odGDgV37YfU5fLMpMPAnWcqAk1k0mtLJyd3ZYXEeljUG3DM9mNRgerFeJhnRKZbHF4eu1bB6HyQJVTMw0LlOWSck5DPqKDeTG9FyyNagFUjcmt-uQHvjS1L/s640/DSC_9663.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>One of the many thank you notes that Mom saved from recipients of her care packages. </i></div>
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* Based on personal experience, I think they probably did get sent out just a tiny bit faster than everyone else's.<br />
** It is LA. No way I walk to the post office.<br />
*** In honor of Mom, use the coupon code "LOVEMOM" and get 10% off <a href="http://www.mominthemail.com/send-treats/" target="_blank">any order</a> placed for my inaugural shipment. She would have loved that.Cheesy Pennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740907878961625797noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060569258857353714.post-82888087116350466412015-08-28T23:08:00.000-07:002015-08-29T10:26:39.046-07:00Two listsThings I am doing wrong*, according to my daughter:<br>
<ol>
<li>Hashtags</li>
<li><a href="https://instagram.com/cheesypennies/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></li>
<li>Using Android instead of an iPhone</li>
<li>Presuming to check in and see how the summer reading is going</li>
<li>Cheering out loud at her soccer games</li>
<li>Wanting the empty fruit snack wrappers to be in the trash</li>
<li>Making friends with her friends' parents</li>
<li>Asking her to speak to waiters </li>
<li>Singing along to the radio when it is on her station</li>
<li>Breathing</li>
</ol>
Things I am doing right, according to me:<br>
<ol>
<li>Raising my daughter.</li>
</ol>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ho11lCoFIz0/VeFC9D-BigI/AAAAAAAB3-Y/vX8_ygeNV7k/s1600/DSC_9529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Summer Tomato Risotto | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ho11lCoFIz0/VeFC9D-BigI/AAAAAAAB3-Y/vX8_ygeNV7k/s640/DSC_9529.JPG" title="Summer Tomato Risotto | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
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Also, risotto.<br>
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<a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2015/08/two-lists.html#more">Read on for the recipe (and more photos!) »</a>Cheesy Pennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740907878961625797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060569258857353714.post-86594514711819481082015-08-23T15:02:00.000-07:002015-12-15T01:16:07.359-08:00Growing UpI am sitting in the airport in North Carolina, waiting for my solo flight home. I check Facebook and my feed is filled with bittersweet photos of my friends, backseats full of suitcases and bedding, grinning, slightly anxious teenagers in front of brick buildings, or snapshots of dorm rooms neatly organized for perhaps the first and last time all year. People are reposting cartoons of mothers clinging to trees and <a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/south/2015/08/13/was-sun-and-kids-were-planets/rIZt6ftorNQpeHcv1og3fL/story.html?event=event25" target="_blank">wonderful articles about letting go of your orbiting little planets</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdl6uk0NjGETZLsa9HE9EWOerjoVRv3THkL0O6raCBxH5_wXXPCQ4wMM8AostxuYBpp68I86c_Q_0Xum1xbGAeAlT4nARPE6YHIKTjW9nE1OwvcWpZOJuNsEbxuNvVVxSUaVBQnEXjEwsx/s1600/0830adamz.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdl6uk0NjGETZLsa9HE9EWOerjoVRv3THkL0O6raCBxH5_wXXPCQ4wMM8AostxuYBpp68I86c_Q_0Xum1xbGAeAlT4nARPE6YHIKTjW9nE1OwvcWpZOJuNsEbxuNvVVxSUaVBQnEXjEwsx/s400/0830adamz.tif" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Used with permission from caglecartoons.com</i></div>
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The thing is, it doesn't get any easier the <a href="http://www.cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2014/09/im-back.html" target="_blank">second time around</a>. It's different, because they are rushing back to a known universe, without the t-shirted volunteers and established institutional agendas for entry. They have things in storage and roommates they chose. I was there almost strictly for logistical support...a last good meal, the Target run, the rental car with a big trunk. The need for me clearly receded with every load hauled up the stairs*. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfb1GNQWmFlURYS7TWg_KfkvTmm9rBqcw2IhozkACFKcRGEcAt5OmueV70wmcukkdO5t-rQJEjyr3cB6Qut1rAPF_wrAO3nYqt1pMkNI_L_PJkqw_nmnTV5QI4wTkzZD0_nbPi-EF98WW/s1600/DSC_9446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfb1GNQWmFlURYS7TWg_KfkvTmm9rBqcw2IhozkACFKcRGEcAt5OmueV70wmcukkdO5t-rQJEjyr3cB6Qut1rAPF_wrAO3nYqt1pMkNI_L_PJkqw_nmnTV5QI4wTkzZD0_nbPi-EF98WW/s640/DSC_9446.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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Yes, this is as it should be. Yes, I accept and understand and, in unselfish moments, rejoice in this grown person who does not look back when I drive away**. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5jnHULotpd9l44Nei4w6tlVXPUfafZ2A8tyeSODbK7SF8ZBLyfQGHL_rLYVddjF5uyhyWnn7uBEi7CifiBG_pJdETgNo3awACb_Yh_fJQ2R5TrOZIeblvPvtq7SyUq3dq56rGMMI-el3K/s1600/DSC_9448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5jnHULotpd9l44Nei4w6tlVXPUfafZ2A8tyeSODbK7SF8ZBLyfQGHL_rLYVddjF5uyhyWnn7uBEi7CifiBG_pJdETgNo3awACb_Yh_fJQ2R5TrOZIeblvPvtq7SyUq3dq56rGMMI-el3K/s640/DSC_9448.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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But I should still have brought my dark sunglasses to wear on the flight home. Especially because this song was on the radio as I dropped him off.<br />
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<i>I'll be patient, one more month </i></div>
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<i>You'll wrap your fingers round my thumb </i></div>
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<i>Times are changing, I know, but who am I if </i></div>
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<i>I'm the person you become </i></div>
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<i>If I'm still growing up, up, up, up </i></div>
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<i>I'm still growing up, up, up, up...</i></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6mhtJduoCZ0?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0" width="640"></iframe>
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I still feel those tiny fingers, round my thumb.<br />
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* In case I missed any of his subtle exit cues, there were several actual glares yesterday before I left for my hotel. This is why I should not be allowed to do this alone. Last year my husband forcibly removed me from his room. I did redeem myself today by singlehandedly setting up a dual band wireless networkin 15 minutes flat, and buying him a large Mighty Meat pizza for late night leftover purposes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XJIvoh4wTE19lrIfzcHu0n9_iA1nocaBixNFeLxWr31hbIMnL2_S4O8hQCNhVNo6FMekz2cYZFAy-ZfM_zIyRxe8OwzemypV5fp6BlV390bTn90Z6JRjgwGmBbvqoc5DfsCAA7LI1xQK/s1600/IMG_1259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XJIvoh4wTE19lrIfzcHu0n9_iA1nocaBixNFeLxWr31hbIMnL2_S4O8hQCNhVNo6FMekz2cYZFAy-ZfM_zIyRxe8OwzemypV5fp6BlV390bTn90Z6JRjgwGmBbvqoc5DfsCAA7LI1xQK/s400/IMG_1259.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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** Of course. parents' weekend is a month away, so I'll be right back, full of resolve to be mature and independent. Like my kid.Cheesy Pennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740907878961625797noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060569258857353714.post-21646493890679573382015-08-20T03:23:00.000-07:002015-08-20T11:22:05.814-07:00Grumpy Old Lady Makes Gluten Free Cookies<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="288" mozallowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" src="http://www.hulu.com/embed.html?eid=3suryxnjdpdqbar2fuly4q&et=185&st=27" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="512"></iframe><br></div>
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I have felt A LOT like Grumpy Old Man lately.<br>
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All these KIDS going to COLLEGE and <a href="http://www.cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2015/07/extraction-pains.html" target="_blank">AFRICA</a> and DRIVING and dating WOMEN FROM FLORIDA.<br>
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All these puppies who eat SCREEN DOORS and VALUABLE SUCCULENT PLANTS.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw24IhQd8v2aEUpb_BDKL-v2Tj38Oxsy8ABb4u24WtXRczaYCm4JlUgkY9_RyUvvSGIg3ftFrgg_mpJSDLfB6tV2yOQjuHSDKq8Lj2lKA6rWHm-ID4XlngrDyffp_QYYXFtEhlt2yrINf2/s1600/IMG_1174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Three goofballs on the couch | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw24IhQd8v2aEUpb_BDKL-v2Tj38Oxsy8ABb4u24WtXRczaYCm4JlUgkY9_RyUvvSGIg3ftFrgg_mpJSDLfB6tV2yOQjuHSDKq8Lj2lKA6rWHm-ID4XlngrDyffp_QYYXFtEhlt2yrINf2/s640/IMG_1174.JPG" title="Three goofballs on the couch | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
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<i> Sure, they're cute and happy, but they are TOTALLY NOT DOING ANY CHORES RIGHT NOW. </i></div>
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I want things the way they used to be. When kids stayed home and paid attention when you talked to them. When dogs stayed, period. When life was simple and cookies were made with a crapload of gluten and WE LIKED IT!<br>
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Friggin' progress.<br>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rN3aQSJt7Y8/VdTNyoAuQtI/AAAAAAAB3pA/amJwyepMuQs/s1600/DSC_9363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gluten-Free Milk Chocolate Cookies with Sea Salt | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rN3aQSJt7Y8/VdTNyoAuQtI/AAAAAAAB3pA/amJwyepMuQs/s640/DSC_9363.JPG" title="Gluten-Free Milk Chocolate Cookies with Sea Salt | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
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<a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2015/08/grumpy-old-lady-makes-gluten-free.html#more">Read on for the recipe (and more photos!) »</a>Cheesy Pennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740907878961625797noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060569258857353714.post-23032099458415192972015-07-27T03:28:00.000-07:002015-07-27T10:23:37.241-07:00Rotating In<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyud_H_dgeaoavyW0j8gJrwvR0ynoMTZXIiG4DjS_T6HRg19WBsPKoAidNUqicNUov3asDEOZBfuqaIlh_dewEjziTqIVfZFkuwYkGLD73-KYhxxlp9Ed9fCZZrm64WsnvZxRRRwaXsqun/s1600/Definition+of+Rotate.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyud_H_dgeaoavyW0j8gJrwvR0ynoMTZXIiG4DjS_T6HRg19WBsPKoAidNUqicNUov3asDEOZBfuqaIlh_dewEjziTqIVfZFkuwYkGLD73-KYhxxlp9Ed9fCZZrm64WsnvZxRRRwaXsqun/s640/Definition+of+Rotate.tiff" width="640"></a></div>
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When you are a kid, the whole concept of taking turns and sharing is pretty challenging to grasp.<br>
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<i>Image from <a href="http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2015/04/17">GoComics.com</a></i></div>
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Then, when you get older, sharing becomes almost normal. Think group projects in college, or carpooling to work.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="288" mozallowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" src="http://www.hulu.com/embed.html?eid=eoysdqdyfi9pplz9ncghzg" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="512"></iframe></div>
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When you have kids, divvying things up is less optional and more a matter of preserving your sanity and achieving critical mass in the face of overwhelming odds. And then, when the kids get older or even disappear, shared arrangements between friends become a coveted luxury. <br>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EJWwbO6ZFIM/VbFynbiOkuI/AAAAAAAB3Bk/16DA2fF8sKI/s1600/DSC_8763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EJWwbO6ZFIM/VbFynbiOkuI/AAAAAAAB3Bk/16DA2fF8sKI/s640/DSC_8763.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
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I hit the jackpot with my <a href="http://www.cheesypennies.blogspot.com/search/label/carpool%20wars" target="_blank">carpool moms</a>, and I've hit another home run with my weekly game night group. Hostessing duties move from one home to another, giving us a chance to cook fancy or light as the mood strikes us, to try new things or old favorites, and crack open a bottle or two while we're at it. I've collected awesome recipes from my cohorts, like <a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2012/01/listless-best-of-2011.html" target="_blank">roasted chicken</a>, <a href="http://www.bhg.com/recipe/roasted-tomato-pasta-with-mozzarella/" target="_blank">summer pasta salad with roasted baby tomatoes</a>, or a <a href="https://heatherinsf.wordpress.com/recipes/vegetables-and-sides/fast-and-easy-caesar-dressing/" target="_blank">light and easy Caesar dressing</a> for any weeknight. Mostly the dinners are low key, although I do go a little bit nuts with the birthday desserts for the group. Most notably <a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2011/12/my-kind-of-birthday-cake.html" target="_blank">this one</a>, <a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2012/03/bravo-birthday-cake.html" target="_blank">this one</a>, <a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2013/11/are-those-real-chocolate-covered.html" target="_blank">this one</a> and <a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-really-ugly-ducking-of-cakes.html" target="_blank">this one.</a> <br>
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And now, this one.<br>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ri6D-rF9U24/VbFyuGGyDyI/AAAAAAAB3Bw/fB_M3bydn24/s1600/DSC_8777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Salted Caramel Brownie - ready to bake | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ri6D-rF9U24/VbFyuGGyDyI/AAAAAAAB3Bw/fB_M3bydn24/s640/DSC_8777.JPG" title="Salted Caramel Brownie - ready to bake | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a><br>
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Super simple supper with a crazy celebration dessert. Both recipes are going right into regular rotation*.<br>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZG0no_MlueE/VbFzO9SFRTI/AAAAAAAB3D8/FMoAsS6fJpA/s1600/DSC_8830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fresh Heirloom Tomato Tart | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZG0no_MlueE/VbFzO9SFRTI/AAAAAAAB3D8/FMoAsS6fJpA/s640/DSC_8830.JPG" title="Fresh Heirloom Tomato Tart | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
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</div></div><a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2015/07/rotating-in.html#more">Read on for the recipe (and more photos!) »</a>Cheesy Pennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740907878961625797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060569258857353714.post-67304058803549083732015-07-24T02:36:00.000-07:002015-07-24T02:36:21.052-07:00Traveling for WorkI have a job. I <a href="http://phorus.com/blog/company-mom" target="_blank">love the people I work with and the products we make</a>. Not to mention the dress code of t-shirts and jeans when we don't have customer meetings. Even more incredibly, the office is a three minute walk from my house*. <br>
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Some days, though, work does take me a little farther away from home.<br>
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It's a really, really good job.<br>
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I haven't yet figured out how to duplicate the astonishing cheese and custard filled cake from the night market in Taipei, or the perfectly fried chicken with hot chiles from Hong Kong.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwKhUqOVZQCwB3z9Wv5dBOiAfYU54YePDkej6gV0NsInjc79u21KYS58YSoCLEVC_npPmVABjqA_EvdqOP1xTJAC75FniJQvurfcDY1j7pHwuJmTulix50p2VmznF2Q0DnvFeKcuj9ay7/s1600/IMG_0415+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Custard and cheese pancakes Taipei night market | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwKhUqOVZQCwB3z9Wv5dBOiAfYU54YePDkej6gV0NsInjc79u21KYS58YSoCLEVC_npPmVABjqA_EvdqOP1xTJAC75FniJQvurfcDY1j7pHwuJmTulix50p2VmznF2Q0DnvFeKcuj9ay7/s640/IMG_0415+%25281%2529.JPG" title="Custard and cheese pancakes Taipei night market | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hragrSNASSwdpUezL4rDN-qijCGivgP56nPrp6W41id5Ion2omRtKO2-YaSvlIM_I3PhyphenhyphenobYM8cn_jEPqGQxZQJIYiiHzzw7VhAe-J6jJ9v9aq8Ho5IRYJlxO6oCnCT3FVLDna0PdymH/s1600/IMG_0670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Shanghai style fried chicken with chiles | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hragrSNASSwdpUezL4rDN-qijCGivgP56nPrp6W41id5Ion2omRtKO2-YaSvlIM_I3PhyphenhyphenobYM8cn_jEPqGQxZQJIYiiHzzw7VhAe-J6jJ9v9aq8Ho5IRYJlxO6oCnCT3FVLDna0PdymH/s640/IMG_0670.JPG" title="Shanghai style fried chicken with chiles | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
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But the killer sweet-spicy skillet cornbread with maple butter I had in Eden Prairie, Minnesota?<br>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-prQI0wQNHDA/VaODb5t5M0I/AAAAAAAB1-8/6oJYJz54DDM/s1600/DSC_8679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Skillet Cornbread with Maple Butter | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-prQI0wQNHDA/VaODb5t5M0I/AAAAAAAB1-8/6oJYJz54DDM/s640/DSC_8679.JPG" title="Skillet Cornbread with Maple Butter | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a><br>
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I could <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/redstone-restaurant-famous-cornbread-with-maple-butter-194584" target="_blank">google that one</a>. <br>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l1oWhKjEz-k/VaODp7PgpUI/AAAAAAAB1-0/ICghCQA8rZs/s1600/DSC_8686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Skillet Cornbread | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l1oWhKjEz-k/VaODp7PgpUI/AAAAAAAB1-0/ICghCQA8rZs/s640/DSC_8686.JPG" title="Skillet Cornbread | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a><br>
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<a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2015/07/traveling-for-work_24.html#more">Read on for the recipe (and more photos!) »</a>Cheesy Pennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740907878961625797noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060569258857353714.post-89683999495856242642015-07-02T01:39:00.000-07:002015-07-02T15:34:21.772-07:00Extraction Pains"They've got to come out."<br>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xK5SQI3Dxh8/VZTmVeoDbUI/AAAAAAAB05A/nNAXNrOEMz4/s1600/DSC_8284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Vanilla Ice Cream | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xK5SQI3Dxh8/VZTmVeoDbUI/AAAAAAAB05A/nNAXNrOEMz4/s640/DSC_8284.JPG" title="Vanilla Ice Cream | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
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"Putting it off will only make things worse."<br>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b6rWSvnSUEM/VZTmRb9ZTAI/AAAAAAAB044/fdztQoNN6qQ/s1600/DSC_8282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b6rWSvnSUEM/VZTmRb9ZTAI/AAAAAAAB044/fdztQoNN6qQ/s640/DSC_8282.JPG" title="Scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
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"It's not healthy in the long run to keep them."<br>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qr0rQVeVuU8/VZTmJkSKYBI/AAAAAAAB05o/5eAERLpaNo0/s1600/DSC_8279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Vanilla Shake in the Making | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qr0rQVeVuU8/VZTmJkSKYBI/AAAAAAAB05o/5eAERLpaNo0/s640/DSC_8279.JPG" title="Vanilla Shake in the Making | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
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"They desperately need space."<br>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PaHDZY-wd-4/VZTmdq-8k9I/AAAAAAAB05I/6a8LgSj4bX0/s1600/DSC_8287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Vanilla Shake in the Making II | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PaHDZY-wd-4/VZTmdq-8k9I/AAAAAAAB05I/6a8LgSj4bX0/s640/DSC_8287.JPG" title="Vanilla Shake in the Making II | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
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"It's time."<br>
<br>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tl6Io_nIpcc/VZTml8q72WI/AAAAAAAB05Q/U0RQ2bLRcsg/s1600/DSC_8291.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Vanilla Shake in the Making III | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tl6Io_nIpcc/VZTml8q72WI/AAAAAAAB05Q/U0RQ2bLRcsg/s640/DSC_8291.JPG" title="Vanilla Shake in the Making III | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
The dentist was talking about my son's wisdom teeth. <br>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br></span>
<span style="text-align: center;">I was thinking about leaving my daughter on a curb at JFK airport with bulging duffle bag and a ticket to Africa.</span><br>
<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfCsklkTPrgIJUWf_Jl_uGZeqATPjlguDPwpF4eBBcHEzjTgoaiqwlnreYxbmJn1icU4ydKxCV57_sBcEQsTnshlJ6fqMsQjfNsq7h1Ss07OLZYbFVJvzJWwYfolOtAPmY2MWqnAn1I1-/s1600/IMG_20150629_184056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Off to Tanzania | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfCsklkTPrgIJUWf_Jl_uGZeqATPjlguDPwpF4eBBcHEzjTgoaiqwlnreYxbmJn1icU4ydKxCV57_sBcEQsTnshlJ6fqMsQjfNsq7h1Ss07OLZYbFVJvzJWwYfolOtAPmY2MWqnAn1I1-/s640/IMG_20150629_184056.jpg" title="Off to Tanzania | Cheesy Pennies" width="480"></a></div>
<br>
He got ice packs and meds for his extraction pain. <br>
<br>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o5dwh2ySsOY/VZTnA_t0bzI/AAAAAAAB05g/lsf3g8YbPuE/s1600/DSC_8297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Wisdom Teeth Recovery | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o5dwh2ySsOY/VZTnA_t0bzI/AAAAAAAB05g/lsf3g8YbPuE/s640/DSC_8297.JPG" title="Wisdom Teeth Recovery | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a><br>
<br>
I got to come home* and make milkshakes for both of us.<br>
<br>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ki-Eu1F8zP0/VZTmt-V4zWI/AAAAAAAB05Y/cum_fAzIjl4/s1600/DSC_8293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Classic Vanilla Milkshake | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ki-Eu1F8zP0/VZTmt-V4zWI/AAAAAAAB05Y/cum_fAzIjl4/s640/DSC_8293.jpg" title="Classic Vanilla Milkshake | Cheesy Pennies" width="424"></a></div>
<br>
His recovery is going great, especially now that the freezer is fully stocked with ice cream**.<br>
<br>
Me?<br>
I'm still poking at the hole that was left behind***. <br>
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<a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2015/07/extraction-pains.html#more">Read on for the recipe (and more photos!) »</a>Cheesy Pennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740907878961625797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060569258857353714.post-10874638827621605002015-06-06T00:56:00.002-07:002015-06-06T01:01:28.615-07:00Do you know the muffin man?<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FpBJih02aYU?rel=0&showinfo=0" width="640"></iframe>
<br>
<br>
Apparently, he lives on Drury Lane.<br>
Too far, far away* for you?<br>
<br>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lNfastK5Zxw/VWbIl7NjLlI/AAAAAAABy6w/dcecGCXIxYI/s1600/DSC_7531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lemon-glazed Blackberry Sour Cream Muffins | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lNfastK5Zxw/VWbIl7NjLlI/AAAAAAABy6w/dcecGCXIxYI/s640/DSC_7531.JPG" title="Lemon-glazed Blackberry Sour Cream Muffins | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
Make your own muffin, man.<br>
<br>
<a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2015/06/do-you-know-muffin-man.html#more">Read on for the recipe (and more photos!) »</a>Cheesy Pennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740907878961625797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060569258857353714.post-18865256332932357342015-05-28T02:25:00.000-07:002015-05-28T12:15:04.166-07:00Honey, I burned the sugar*...and baked it into cookies.<br>
<br>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-goApT19oyVs/VWbIdD2AOgI/AAAAAAAByWA/yhSyxj3dskc/s1600/DSC_7510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Lavender Burnt Sugar Sable Cookies | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-goApT19oyVs/VWbIdD2AOgI/AAAAAAAByWA/yhSyxj3dskc/s640/DSC_7510.JPG" title="Lavender Burnt Sugar Sable Cookies | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a><br>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/A_sY2rjxq6M?rel=0&showinfo=0" width="640"></iframe>
</div>
<br>
<i>Burn, baby, burn!</i><br>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TbLp50Trhm4/VWbIP3J_ArI/AAAAAAAByUw/Cwm7dEmFC9Y/s1600/DSC_7471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Burnt Sugar for Sable Cookies | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TbLp50Trhm4/VWbIP3J_ArI/AAAAAAAByUw/Cwm7dEmFC9Y/s640/DSC_7471.JPG" title="Burnt Sugar for Sable Cookies | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a><br>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HOIBWeAJ0O8/VWbIWdb3c4I/AAAAAAAByVQ/HB6eRyUfWYA/s1600/DSC_7494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lavender Burnt Sugar Sable Cookies | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HOIBWeAJ0O8/VWbIWdb3c4I/AAAAAAAByVQ/HB6eRyUfWYA/s640/DSC_7494.JPG" title="Lavender Burnt Sugar Sable Cookies | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O3TzsP6orqw/VWbIe_Xdn2I/AAAAAAAByWI/4EgTJ4i1kms/s1600/DSC_7515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lavender Burnt Sugar Sable Cookies | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="436" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O3TzsP6orqw/VWbIe_Xdn2I/AAAAAAAByWI/4EgTJ4i1kms/s640/DSC_7515.JPG" title="Lavender Burnt Sugar Sable Cookies | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
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<i>Burn that motha' down!</i></div>
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<a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2015/05/honey-i-burned-sugar.html#more">Read on for the recipe (and more photos!) »</a>Cheesy Pennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740907878961625797noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060569258857353714.post-81188389533818406052015-05-18T14:04:00.000-07:002015-05-18T15:21:59.773-07:00The long distance birthdayToday, my son is finishing up his <a href="http://www.cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2014/09/im-back.html" target="_blank">first year of college</a>. He'll be going to one last class, saying goodbye to his roommate and friends for the summer, covering up holes in his wall with toothpaste, and stuffing a pile of dirty clothes into a duffel bag before turning in his keys and leaving campus behind.<br>
<br>
<a href="http://some.ly/NixZeSY" target="_blank"><img src="http://cdn.someecards.com/someecards/usercards/whoever-said-absence-makes-the-heart-grow-fonder-was-an-idiot-absence-requires-prescription-medication-and-cake-5d441.png" height="448" width="640"></a>
<br>
<br>
He will do all of this on his own, just like he experienced all the rest of freshman year for himself. Thinking back*, I don't think I appreciated how much of a gift this independence was for me. How foundational having the space to misbehave and strive and goof off and win and fall down and lose sleep and connect and love and eat poorly and bond and learn and type and cheer and drink and run and get naked and question and write and be me would be. It was, I think, one of the most important periods of my life. My parents had no part in it. None.<br>
<br>
That is as it should be. But I kinda wish <a href="http://www.cheesypennies.blogspot.com/search/label/Mom" target="_blank">my mom</a> was around now so I could tell her I get it. Long distance relationships are tough. Long distance motherhood is brutal.<br>
<br>
And then, just to make it that much worse, the first birthday away from home comes around.<br>
<br>
Yep. Today is his 19th birthday. He's there. I'm here.<br>
<br>
Deep breath. Text. Call. Bake.<br>
<br>
Tomorrow, he'll be here. Tomorrow, we'll have cake.<br>
<br>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Up7tPiXAAf0/VVoas76qUEI/AAAAAAABxqI/G0TAJjDlOtk/s1600/DSC_6669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Bite of Butter Cake with Chocolate Fudge Frosting | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Up7tPiXAAf0/VVoas76qUEI/AAAAAAABxqI/G0TAJjDlOtk/s640/DSC_6669.JPG" title="Bite of Butter Cake with Chocolate Fudge Frosting | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a><br>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pnGJA6Yrjbo/VVpM8DQZCFI/AAAAAAABxrA/i6HDzoj4OLI/s1600/IMG_20150322_122714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pnGJA6Yrjbo/VVpM8DQZCFI/AAAAAAABxrA/i6HDzoj4OLI/s640/IMG_20150322_122714.jpg" width="480"></a></div>
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<a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2015/05/the-long-distance-birthday.html#more">Read on for the recipe (and more photos!) »</a>Cheesy Pennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740907878961625797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060569258857353714.post-85610527098784878112015-05-15T02:52:00.002-07:002015-05-16T22:27:09.174-07:00Bark! Bark!Right around the holidays, we started talking about it.<br>
<br>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C7BwLVXMPNE/VU8EV-_fetI/AAAAAAABxfg/oxyRTbi85KI/s1600/DSC_7226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dark Chocolate Bark with Mega Mix-Ins | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C7BwLVXMPNE/VU8EV-_fetI/AAAAAAABxfg/oxyRTbi85KI/s640/DSC_7226.JPG" title="Dark Chocolate Bark with Mega Mix-Ins | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
Tentatively at first, because we were still so <a href="http://www.cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2014/10/there-are-no-words.html" target="_blank">tender and upset,</a> then more analytically and then, at last, giving ourselves permission to be hopeful, with a fair amount of actual giddiness.<br>
<br>
I mean, who were we kidding, right? We had been expertly trained by our big guy on how to be a dog family, and to let all that work go to waste would be almost criminal. We couldn't do it. <br>
<br>
We decided to get a puppy.<br>
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Not a replacement, because there can be no such thing, but someone furry and new and special in their own way. <br>
<br>
I began my research.<br>
<br>
<i>ME: [Googling on my laptop] </i><i>What breed is like a Bernese, but is not a Bernese</i><br>
<i><br></i>
<i>GOOGLE: Here are images of Bernese Mountain Dogs and websites full of Bernese Mountain Dogs and breeders of Bernese Mountain Dogs and they all look just like your dog that you still miss so much you can barely stand it.</i><br>
<br>
<i>ME: [incoherent muffled sob]</i><br>
<br>
I stayed away from Google after that. Eventually, I found a breed that sounded amazing. Huge and hairy and friendly and smart. There was a breeder just a few hours away who was due to have puppies on my husband's birthday. I told her all about our loss and our family and she loved the whole thing. It was a sign. We were thrilled.<br>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O_XJZyln4II/VU8EVEk08sI/AAAAAAABxfw/kvWzVDhNilc/s1600/DSC_7225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dark Chocolate Bark with Mega Mix-Ins II | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O_XJZyln4II/VU8EVEk08sI/AAAAAAABxfw/kvWzVDhNilc/s640/DSC_7225.JPG" title="Dark Chocolate Bark with Mega Mix-Ins II | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
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The puppies were born, and the photos began arriving. Nine adorable balls of fluff rolling around with their exhausted mom. My daughter was besotted with them, and I was, too. My husband, a bit concerned about just how huge and how hairy these things would grow up to be, consented to sending in our deposit. With so many puppies, the breeder was glad to set one aside for us newcomers, even though other families had been waiting for years. We signed up for puppy class and bought all the puppy things. We began counting down the weeks until our little one could come home.<br>
<br>
My son was appalled. We should be rescuing a dog, he said firmly. There were all kinds of animals needing good homes. These purebred dogs didn't need us. There's a dog out there who does.<br>
<br>
Yes, I agreed, distracted by a fluffy curly tail in my inbox. But look how sweet they are, honey. These puppies need homes, too.<br>
<br>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WfIcLcqpIN4/VU679cvxrZI/AAAAAAABxgU/j9Cp0rJJM9I/s1600/DSC_7202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WfIcLcqpIN4/VU679cvxrZI/AAAAAAABxgU/j9Cp0rJJM9I/s640/DSC_7202.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
Would it be rambunctious Miss Red, or shy little Miss Yellow? Identified only by their adorable bow collars, we could only speculate, as the breeder would be matchmaking when we met. Miss Orange was awfully winsome, too. <br>
<br>
Pick up day was set, less than 10 days away. After all these weeks, the sheer level of email cuteness and anticipation was staggering. <br>
<br>
Then came the staggering email of cruelty.<br>
<br>
<i>To: Puppy-obsessed family I have been taunting for three months</i><br>
<i>From: Nutjob Breeder from Hell</i><br>
<i>Subject: No puppy for you*</i><br>
<i><br></i>
<i>I just now noticed that all of my puppies are perfect. I asked my friends who are puppy experts, and they agree. Every single one of them is going to be a champion show dog. Since you are only going to be bringing the puppy home to love it like mad and make it part of your family, and not parade it around a ring on weekends to earn trophies, I have decided you are unsuitable. If I had a flawed puppy, I would have given it to you. But I don't. </i><br>
<br>
True story.<br>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YYYkRnQjF9I/VU67-CP56PI/AAAAAAABxgM/JiRoaGV5sbo/s1600/DSC_7203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mix-Ins in the making | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YYYkRnQjF9I/VU67-CP56PI/AAAAAAABxgM/JiRoaGV5sbo/s640/DSC_7203.JPG" title="Mix-Ins in the making | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
So instead of Miss Red or Miss Orange or Miss Yellow, who are likely piling up accolades and blue ribbons at this very moment, we rescued Miss Juneau, the mutt.<br>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wqnupvyViiM/VRruTRN4DmI/AAAAAAABtUE/5WFXOmSDjwo/s1600/DSC_6815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Miss Juneau the Mutt | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wqnupvyViiM/VRruTRN4DmI/AAAAAAABtUE/5WFXOmSDjwo/s640/DSC_6815.JPG" title="Miss Juneau the Mutt | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EmUClgKt6s0/VRl7uWdYbVI/AAAAAAABtME/-eyO2zwd9so/s1600/IMG_20150330_082721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EmUClgKt6s0/VRl7uWdYbVI/AAAAAAABtME/-eyO2zwd9so/s640/IMG_20150330_082721.jpg" width="480"></a></div>
<br>
Turns out she is the perfect puppy for us.** <br>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zSsJY_HIt98/VVW5T1yTI6I/AAAAAAABxgk/NJ7fbv-GvNQ/s1600/IMG_20150331_160821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zSsJY_HIt98/VVW5T1yTI6I/AAAAAAABxgk/NJ7fbv-GvNQ/s640/IMG_20150331_160821.jpg" width="480"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
More photos of Juneau can be found daily on <a href="https://instagram.com/cheesypennies/" target="_blank">Instragram</a>, #juneaudiaries. </div>
<br>
My son was right all along. Mutts rock. <br>
<br>
<a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2015/05/bark-bark.html#more">Read on for the recipe (and more photos!) »</a>Cheesy Pennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740907878961625797noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060569258857353714.post-31693948043786952122015-04-30T03:24:00.000-07:002015-04-30T11:48:38.149-07:00Sweet Corn Sugar CookiesI feel awkward talking about cookies today. It seems more trivial than usual to be focusing on butter and sugar when people have been <a href="http://time.com/3841361/nepal-earthquake-teenager-rescued-five-days-kathmandu/" target="_blank">buried and found in the mountains by earthquakes</a> and another city has <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2015/04/28/president-obamas-comments-on-baltimore-violence-video-transcript/" target="_blank">gone feral in front of TV cameras</a>. In a week where <a href="http://streamable.com/9l7l" target="_blank">marathoners ran in defiant celebration,</a> and the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/29/us/supreme-court-same-sex-marriage.html?_r=0" target="_blank">supreme court is deciding whether people can love each other legally</a>, the relevance of a recipe is negligible at best.<br>
<br>
And yet, it is what I have*.<br>
<br>
It is, at least, an outstanding irrelevant recipe.<br>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9_h3jrW4DN8/VUHjoVADVtI/AAAAAAABvi4/eamiuLi0IrE/s1600/DSC_7103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Sweet Corn Sugar Cookies | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9_h3jrW4DN8/VUHjoVADVtI/AAAAAAABvi4/eamiuLi0IrE/s1600/DSC_7103.JPG" height="422" title="Sweet Corn Sugar Cookies | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a><br>
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<a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2015/04/sweet-corn-sugar-cookies.html#more">Read on for the recipe (and more photos!) »</a>Cheesy Pennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740907878961625797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060569258857353714.post-60680516901100684812015-04-20T01:34:00.000-07:002015-04-20T13:57:03.283-07:00Better Together<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/seZMOTGCDag?rel=0&showinfo=0" width="640"></iframe>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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With apologies and much respect to <a href="http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/jackjohnson/bettertogether.html" target="_blank">Jack Johnson</a>:<br>
<i><br></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>There is no combination of words I could put on screen of my MacBook </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>No song that I could sing, but I can certainly cook</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>These dreams, and they are made out of real things </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Like chocolate chip cookies </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Smushed with deep dark chewy brownies </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>These are the answer, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>At least for most of the questions in my heart </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Like what's for dessert? And can I have two? </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>And is making them not too hard? </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>It's actually easy, and</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>They're so darn great you must believe me </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I'll tell you one thing, it's always better when they're together </i><br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VsfMAn5v0hI/VSzLMfn-TQI/AAAAAAABu7I/ngTOQwJOyWg/s1600/DSC_7035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Brookie Bites | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VsfMAn5v0hI/VSzLMfn-TQI/AAAAAAABu7I/ngTOQwJOyWg/s1600/DSC_7035.JPG" height="422" title="Brookie Bites | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Mmm, it's always better when they're together </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Yeah, we'll be licking our lips when they're together </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Well, it's always better when they're together </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Yeah, it's always better when they're together </i><br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6jvkKZIaDuo/VSzK9-bBO3I/AAAAAAABu6o/ddlCKY2Ejug/s1600/DSC_6996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Brookie Bite Dough | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6jvkKZIaDuo/VSzK9-bBO3I/AAAAAAABu6o/ddlCKY2Ejug/s1600/DSC_6996.JPG" height="422" title="Brookie Bite Dough | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Mmm, mmm, mmm </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EAPIF47XltI/VSzLJ_CvfMI/AAAAAAABu7A/8baZblKTQOM/s1600/DSC_7030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Brookie Bites II | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EAPIF47XltI/VSzLJ_CvfMI/AAAAAAABu7A/8baZblKTQOM/s1600/DSC_7030.JPG" height="422" title="Brookie Bites II | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I believe in Brookie Bites </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>They are so, so tasty just to eat </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Plus, when I wrap 'em up, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>They stay delicious, all the way to N.C. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Now these are favorites of mine </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>And there is no, no better mash up I've seen</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Caramelized cookie dough and intense chewy brownies</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Yeah, I had to tell you this thing </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7kPOJCMsWfI/VSzLJMa5mYI/AAAAAAABu64/hpDfyGp35Wg/s1600/DSC_7029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Brookie Bites III| Cheesy Pennies" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7kPOJCMsWfI/VSzLJMa5mYI/AAAAAAABu64/hpDfyGp35Wg/s1600/DSC_7029.JPG" height="422" title="Brookie Bites III| Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>They're better together.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br></i>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vr4Eo39-QMU/VSzLCc2Dg-I/AAAAAAABu84/JfoqXDEo7XY/s1600/DSC_7006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Brookie Bites IV | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vr4Eo39-QMU/VSzLCc2Dg-I/AAAAAAABu84/JfoqXDEo7XY/s1600/DSC_7006.JPG" height="422" title="Brookie Bites IV | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
<i><br></i>
<i></i><br>
<i>Mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm ,mmm...</i><br>
<i><br></i>
</div><a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2015/04/better-together.html#more">Read on for the recipe (and more photos!) »</a>Cheesy Pennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740907878961625797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060569258857353714.post-84458416904403900592015-04-14T03:16:00.000-07:002015-04-15T15:23:13.859-07:00Just about now...<div>
50 years ago, I was just new.</div>
<div>
31 years ago, I fell, unknowingly, for the <a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2014/02/my-funny-valentine.html" target="_blank">love of my life</a>.</div>
<div>
19 years ago, I was <a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2013/05/nothing-cookie-cutter-about-it.html" target="_blank">counting down to a due date</a>*.</div>
<div>
Six years ago, I <a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2009/04/how-to-make-cheesy-pennies.html" target="_blank">started this blog</a>**.</div>
<div>
Four years ago, I <a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2011/04/secret-of-andes.html" target="_blank">grieved and raged in the mountains of Peru</a>.</div>
<div>
A year ago, <a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2014/04/going-public.html" target="_blank">I came clean</a>.</div>
<div>
Six months ago, <a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2014/10/there-are-no-words.html" target="_blank">we lost Blackjack</a>.</div>
<div>
Two weeks ago, we made room for <a href="https://instagram.com/explore/tags/juneaudiaries/" target="_blank">Juneau</a> and all the lovely chaos.</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
Long, long ago, whenever <a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/search/label/Mom" target="_blank">my mother</a> felt overwhelmed by big events and life's dramatic twists and upheavals, she would go to the stove and begin stirring chocolate and sugar and butter together in a pot. She would stir and stir and then there would be fudge. Creamy, just a teeny, tiny bit grainy, tender, and cocoa-sugar-salty. Magical.</div>
<div>
<br>
Until recently, it was elusive, this salve for the extraordinary emotional milestone.</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
Just a few days ago...<br>
Just in time...</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qthuyLxtGYo/VSgZDmCjG4I/AAAAAAABuS0/H1Z4vquafF4/s1600/DSC_6918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qthuyLxtGYo/VSgZDmCjG4I/AAAAAAABuS0/H1Z4vquafF4/s1600/DSC_6918.JPG" height="422" title="Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
...there was fudge***.<br>
<br>
You should have some. Just about now.<br>
<br>
</div><a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2015/04/long-ago-fudge.html#more">Read on for the recipe (and more photos!) »</a>Cheesy Pennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740907878961625797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060569258857353714.post-18061481409665635682015-03-17T01:56:00.000-07:002015-03-17T10:04:42.765-07:00Top 'O The Morning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jGdZRTUTlSWUiTiTLhGo6VyOIBAI1ZGTncWMvHXUmsyJU2w5o0Vm71fjcVI_uflWDxN1z13cvzGaJwwfupZq3REmar_M2M_KkNt3lK-6UKB3WF7U78qHgafG0BbZNCZnuOUWq-6T1k-E/s1600/leaf_images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jGdZRTUTlSWUiTiTLhGo6VyOIBAI1ZGTncWMvHXUmsyJU2w5o0Vm71fjcVI_uflWDxN1z13cvzGaJwwfupZq3REmar_M2M_KkNt3lK-6UKB3WF7U78qHgafG0BbZNCZnuOUWq-6T1k-E/s1600/leaf_images.jpg" height="234" width="640"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>How to tell if your symbol of luck isn't real. Image and info from <a href="https://fourleafclover.com/vshop/facts_about_4-leaf_clovers" target="_blank">this website</a>.</i></div>
<br>
Clover, schmover. <br>
If you're really lucky, you'll find a pot of these golden biscuits at the end of your breakfast table.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qa4WqFCnOSQ/VQfaGy-MgpI/AAAAAAABsak/Bmjoomi7gbk/s1600/DSC_6495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Honey Glazed Biscuits | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qa4WqFCnOSQ/VQfaGy-MgpI/AAAAAAABsak/Bmjoomi7gbk/s1600/DSC_6495.JPG" height="422" title="Honey Glazed Biscuits | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
They are genuinely ridiculous.<br>
<br>
<a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2015/03/top-o-morning.html#more">Read on for the recipe (and more photos!) »</a>Cheesy Pennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740907878961625797noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060569258857353714.post-33802213421802033732015-03-14T00:00:00.000-07:002015-03-14T00:00:04.608-07:00When bakers and geeks collide...things get ePIc pretty darn quick. <br />
<br />
It's 3.14.15 today. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrQjmlm29DorTR5PlgeFMJcfRMZo8944iLqLtxagN0XVadGV2JMyb6AWO5_FQD8iRhPSPSBWmMp22V5OuNW79lbHRcy1pgQK58j7qdKMzWw8yj08iDk4mubwk2ZT9QQ1rrpkHBuTAMaZZ/s1600/super-pi-moment.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrQjmlm29DorTR5PlgeFMJcfRMZo8944iLqLtxagN0XVadGV2JMyb6AWO5_FQD8iRhPSPSBWmMp22V5OuNW79lbHRcy1pgQK58j7qdKMzWw8yj08iDk4mubwk2ZT9QQ1rrpkHBuTAMaZZ/s1600/super-pi-moment.png" height="118" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Image from <a href="http://blog.wolfram.com/2015/03/12/pi-or-pie-celebrating-pi-day-of-the-centuryand-how-to-get-your-very-own-piece-of-pi/" target="_blank">Wolfram</a>*</i></div>
<br />
The <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/science/weird-science/pi-day-hits-milestone-comes-only-once-century-3-14-n323131" target="_blank">Pi Day of the century</a>.** <br />
<br />
There are, of course, <a href="http://www.spreadshirt.com/pi+day+t-shirts" target="_blank">T-shirts</a>. You can geek out with <a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/products/sa-special-products/the-pi-day-commemorative-package/?WT.mc_id=SA_Webstore_PiDay_Toaster" target="_blank">the limited edition three-pack "Pi Day" collection from Scientific American</a>, or with one of these <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/10-geeky-goodies-for-a-very-special-pi-day-pi-day-2015-217130" target="_blank">Pi-themed goodies on Etsy</a>.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9TCuAC-P6-AQ9_0EM5LKKkmtagXsFnw7QlJ5Z6kDSLLmta6yt3I7UmeNW3tE4t07UyK0D8Xpfe3YBuEuoddD8wrqopYdDFXXTjp2PMkMItvvQm7sh_rl2tyKgcaqli-q_QFD6BaMyb5q/s1600/Pie+Plate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9TCuAC-P6-AQ9_0EM5LKKkmtagXsFnw7QlJ5Z6kDSLLmta6yt3I7UmeNW3tE4t07UyK0D8Xpfe3YBuEuoddD8wrqopYdDFXXTjp2PMkMItvvQm7sh_rl2tyKgcaqli-q_QFD6BaMyb5q/s1600/Pie+Plate.jpg" height="640" width="556" /></a></div>
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<i><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/217241587/pi-day-engraved-cutting-board-or-serving" target="_blank">Limited Edition "I ate some pie..." board </a>from MidlandMooseWorks</i></div>
<br />
Or you can just forget the math and eat some pie. <br />
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Mfuqf6Htm8/UxQ_-Y4ZbSI/AAAAAAABR4o/LIC_VNzGjj0/s1600/DSC_5435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lemon Buttermilk Pie | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Mfuqf6Htm8/UxQ_-Y4ZbSI/AAAAAAABR4o/LIC_VNzGjj0/s1600/DSC_5435.JPG" height="422" title="Lemon Buttermilk Pie | Cheesy Pennies" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2014/03/this-should-be-real-post.html" target="_blank">Meyer Lemon Buttermilk Pie</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--47xMm0KtJ8/Ui0toTraoUI/AAAAAAABMSE/JPBtSK_3yvY/s1600/DSC_2291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Best in Show Apple Pie | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--47xMm0KtJ8/Ui0toTraoUI/AAAAAAABMSE/JPBtSK_3yvY/s1600/DSC_2291.JPG" height="422" title="Best in Show Apple Pie | Cheesy Pennies" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2013/09/best-in-show.html" target="_blank">Best in Show Apple Pie</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VWzEA7vkp4s/VFHuRDjaFAI/AAAAAAABkrs/7ikqjo25VmU/s1600/DSC_3228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pumpkin Cream Cheese Hand Pies | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VWzEA7vkp4s/VFHuRDjaFAI/AAAAAAABkrs/7ikqjo25VmU/s1600/DSC_3228.JPG" height="422" title="Pumpkin Cream Cheese Hand Pies | Cheesy Pennies" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2014/10/spontaneous-pumpkin-cream-cheese-hand.html#more" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank">Pumpkin Cream Cheese Hand Pies</a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5_nvHzZRRDo/UE2DccevbhI/AAAAAAABhJY/vKXE1ofpTOQ/s1600/DSC_3418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mexican Chocolate Chess Pie | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5_nvHzZRRDo/UE2DccevbhI/AAAAAAABhJY/vKXE1ofpTOQ/s1600/DSC_3418.JPG" height="422" title="Mexican Chocolate Chess Pie | Cheesy Pennies" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2012/09/if-at-first-you-dont-succeed-pie-pie.html" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank">Mexican Chocolate Pie</a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fM_n4Nwp7Qo/T_VA0lM3IJI/AAAAAAAA-YM/IZHZDTwFMoo/s1600/DSC_2462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fresh Fruit Pie with Mascarpone Cheese | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fM_n4Nwp7Qo/T_VA0lM3IJI/AAAAAAAA-YM/IZHZDTwFMoo/s1600/DSC_2462.JPG" height="422" title="Fresh Fruit Pie with Mascarpone Cheese | Cheesy Pennies" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2012/07/pickles-pie-short-verse.html" target="_blank">Fresh Fruit Pie with Mascarpone Cheese</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dcGe_Z3biPA/T2KXiEFtC-I/AAAAAAAA65s/UFmGqrwmT0c/s1600/DSC_9191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lemon Chess Pie | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dcGe_Z3biPA/T2KXiEFtC-I/AAAAAAAA65s/UFmGqrwmT0c/s1600/DSC_9191.JPG" height="422" title="Lemon Chess Pie | Cheesy Pennies" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2012/03/youve-lost-you-just-dont-know-it-yet.html" target="_blank">Lemon Chess Pie</a></div>
<br />
Totally fine to take a short cut and hit up a local bakery too. The <a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/p/foodie-girls.html" target="_blank">Foodie Girls</a> love the <a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2012/03/foodie-girls-lunch-brigadge-episode-28.html" target="_blank">Mexican Chocolate and Maple Custard Pie</a> at <a href="http://www.thepieholela.com/" target="_blank">The Pie Hole</a>, and I'm a massive fan*** of the <a href="https://www.sweetladyjane.com/pies/cherry-pie" target="_blank">Cherry Pie</a> at Sweet Lady Jane here in LA. Don't forget, pizza counts as pie, too. Try <a href="http://theluggageroom.com/" target="_blank">The Luggage Room</a> in Pasadena or <a href="http://olivewoodpizza.com/" target="_blank">Olive Wood Pizza</a> at the Studio City Farmers Market.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u4PEPRIczns/VQO2o8XZ5JI/AAAAAAABsSI/ZliIGDqPWVo/s1600/IMG_20150103_225932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sweet Lady Jane Cherry Pie" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u4PEPRIczns/VQO2o8XZ5JI/AAAAAAABsSI/ZliIGDqPWVo/s1600/IMG_20150103_225932.jpg" height="640" title="Sweet Lady Jane Cherry Pie" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Bonus! Unless your clock runs on military time, or you live outside the US****, on this very special Pi day, you get to celebrate twice.*****<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYQnlIpzxcZc_B52JEMUuXCI8ZaQgjPWsFtE4N-QZ_VyV_JpCkHWkWxr2PMbjfqOm7wPVEbAZBjwyAXjTqYnovOwNQrlqWcwiKxQKtJJTpbzSiVLdLy4Dhjrqx3cc9hqFMzbL0nvYXgRT/s1600/Find+My+Pi.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYQnlIpzxcZc_B52JEMUuXCI8ZaQgjPWsFtE4N-QZ_VyV_JpCkHWkWxr2PMbjfqOm7wPVEbAZBjwyAXjTqYnovOwNQrlqWcwiKxQKtJJTpbzSiVLdLy4Dhjrqx3cc9hqFMzbL0nvYXgRT/s1600/Find+My+Pi.tiff" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
* Did you know that everybody's birthday appears in the number Pi? Mine is at digit 70,113. Find your birthday in Pi <a href="http://mypiday.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
** Explained wonderfully <a href="http://www.shockinglydelicious.com/13-things-you-need-to-know-for-pi-day/comment-page-1/#comment-88169" target="_blank">here</a>, with five more drool-worthy pie recipes, on the always tasty <a href="http://www.shockinglydelicious.com/" target="_blank">Shockingly Delicious</a> blog.<br />
*** Literally, I weigh a ton.<br />
**** Pi Day never happens in countries that put the day first in their dates. America rules.<br />
***** At 9:26:53 a.m. and p.m. Not to mention that you can have mini celebrations at 1:59:26 a.m. and p.m. as well, like people do on non-monumental <a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2011/03/proof.html" target="_blank">Pi days</a>. While you're at it, have an extra slice for Albert Einstein. It's his birthday today.Cheesy Pennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740907878961625797noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060569258857353714.post-77839893315759203862015-03-09T02:05:00.000-07:002015-03-09T02:19:33.978-07:00Expectation-Defying Evil King Body Part Cookies<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2M9XZniX8Tsk-djxQgaNY9_lQT_Q_TG4EDtgj3i7MxX6djOGSQuZ_6jMxGz21nzBW1GQNCVXzJLQGQGjZfDxr9jH632BJ47vPIRMWKeVnTrlFnPe3pKx3Nsyfxtq-F9iJJ5_vtILQtIcl/s1600/Hamentaschen+Rant+2.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2M9XZniX8Tsk-djxQgaNY9_lQT_Q_TG4EDtgj3i7MxX6djOGSQuZ_6jMxGz21nzBW1GQNCVXzJLQGQGjZfDxr9jH632BJ47vPIRMWKeVnTrlFnPe3pKx3Nsyfxtq-F9iJJ5_vtILQtIcl/s1600/Hamentaschen+Rant+2.tiff" height="294" width="640"></a></div>
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<i>Just the beginning of a recent rant in my newsfeed </i></div>
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Dear college friend on Facebook who hates hamantaschen*:<br>
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You are wrong.<br>
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Love,<br>
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Sharon<br>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rcnI6qItUmw/VP00-CGTZzI/AAAAAAABsCg/_6hSP-bpwOQ/s1600/DSC_6319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Hamantaschen with Apricot Rosemary Filling | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rcnI6qItUmw/VP00-CGTZzI/AAAAAAABsCg/_6hSP-bpwOQ/s1600/DSC_6319.JPG" height="422" title="Hamantaschen with Apricot Rosemary Filling | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a><br>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HBkL6vwhMFw/VP01DZ4ylcI/AAAAAAABsAk/CAZ5XYYUOAA/s1600/DSC_6337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tart Cherry Hamantaschen with Dark Chocolate | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HBkL6vwhMFw/VP01DZ4ylcI/AAAAAAABsAk/CAZ5XYYUOAA/s1600/DSC_6337.JPG" height="422" title="Tart Cherry Hamantaschen with Dark Chocolate | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
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<a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2015/03/expectation-defying-evil-king-body-part.html#more">Read on for the recipe (and more photos!) »</a>Cheesy Pennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740907878961625797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060569258857353714.post-84178849849151348922015-03-06T11:10:00.002-08:002015-03-13T14:07:16.063-07:00Credit where credit is dueI almost did it again this year. I had the facebook post all typed up, humbly asking friends to click through and tell the world* that Cheesy Pennies is The Best. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEFS7kL6t4D_XDlYk8dd_1tVZPbZItP3eoX2BXcY1FahGFn26B32-w1kmCN6yxlsUAeWCyx7lM7FD42RuqKwKlY4uiBiNufVE0yRWNoT53-OJxz2if_fHVC6_55Ax66xBEQ-cf5WTBNLk/s1600/nominate+me+1.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEFS7kL6t4D_XDlYk8dd_1tVZPbZItP3eoX2BXcY1FahGFn26B32-w1kmCN6yxlsUAeWCyx7lM7FD42RuqKwKlY4uiBiNufVE0yRWNoT53-OJxz2if_fHVC6_55Ax66xBEQ-cf5WTBNLk/s1600/nominate+me+1.tiff" height="366" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then I stopped.<br />
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When I <a href="http://www.cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2009/04/how-to-make-cheesy-pennies.html" target="_blank">started blogging</a>, almost six years ago now, all I wanted was a place to keep track of what I cooked and the little incidents in my life that might otherwise slip by unremarked. That said, as much as I wish I were immune from the craving for readers** and recognition, I'm not. Part of the deal when you put work out into the world is the hope that someone other than you is there to receive it. To love it, too. </div>
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Mission accomplished, and more. </div>
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Yes, I found a space to save recipes, but I also found a space for my voice. There are posts here full of farce-worthy silliness, and some with simple ideas and quick notes on a weeknight meal. I cook and serve food from my own website all the time, and have had an extremely low level of complaints from the beneficiaries. My <a href="http://www.cheesypennies.blogspot.com/search/label/Mom" target="_blank">mother</a> lived and <a href="http://www.cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2011/03/no-magic-bullet.html" target="_blank">died</a> and lives here still, and I'm so grateful for that. This keyboard has been covered with tears and flour and magazine clippings and cat hair while I type, edit, and shape the stories I want to tell. The process is liberating and draining and addictive. I get to write and write and write, but only when I have something to say, and then hopefully I say just enough. It's huge when someone lets me know, "I made that," or simply, "I read your blog." </div>
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I am absurdly proud of this work that is not my job. Cheesy Pennies is well loved and oft-used by friends, family and even people I've never met out there on the invisible Internet. It is personal and I love sharing it. It is mine. It is good.<br />
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It is, often, the best of me.</div>
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But it is not <a href="http://www.saveur.com/article/contests/blog-awards-2015-nominate?dom=SAV&loc=slider&lnk=1" target="_blank">The Best of Blogs</a>.<br />
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That title should belong to one of these amazing sites:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqLZMEv57xdce0oAmHnntBoXmsh6CniOVrKc0VNnb8eStb3UNYXHNqWkZWXemwq92pvnzcyAsiXwb8kJfLge-BLRqSardr9P1xkW9Ml6l6c02IfqDnwhLRQMKUs1r2c_qo6iprlZUNpK0/s1600/Lady+and+Pups.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqLZMEv57xdce0oAmHnntBoXmsh6CniOVrKc0VNnb8eStb3UNYXHNqWkZWXemwq92pvnzcyAsiXwb8kJfLge-BLRqSardr9P1xkW9Ml6l6c02IfqDnwhLRQMKUs1r2c_qo6iprlZUNpK0/s1600/Lady+and+Pups.tiff" height="56" width="320" /></a><a href="http://ladyandpups.com/" target="_blank">Lady and Pups</a> - Jaw-dropping photos, completely original recipes, and a wise-cracking, genuine and riotous writing style. A recent post, <a href="http://ladyandpups.com/2015/02/24/pan-grilled-marshmallow-toasts-with-sea-salt/" target="_blank">Pan Grilled Marshmallow Toasts with Sea Salt</a> had this quote: "<i>Some say wonderful things are born out of desperation. Before today I’ve always thought they were talking about spandex.</i>" A New Yorker transplanted to Beijing, her recipes often involve complicated, multi-step preparations, but she somehow makes you feel you can almost pull them off. A finalist last year in the photography category.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBb7mCOy1NcysnTGzZS8h3aXi8FHZ7T-4nODiixeHxcOB8iqLPuihdp9-XnZ1_R2L9HCuN-x_NmRgNUcMLt9KwB8bcpaVjp2yj173uQH0KxGLywe88Ywxc1SRWM8DhyGpx3YTKa4HB6KM/s1600/Dash+and+Bella.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBb7mCOy1NcysnTGzZS8h3aXi8FHZ7T-4nODiixeHxcOB8iqLPuihdp9-XnZ1_R2L9HCuN-x_NmRgNUcMLt9KwB8bcpaVjp2yj173uQH0KxGLywe88Ywxc1SRWM8DhyGpx3YTKa4HB6KM/s1600/Dash+and+Bella.tiff" height="78" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="http://dashandbella.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Dash and Bella</a> - The honest, devastatingly beautiful writing on this site makes me lose my breath almost every time. In a few well chosen words you understand the loss of a grandmother, the swift passage of childhood, the need to scream into a pillow or guzzle wine or curl up a fist and stay quiet. It's almost unfair that her recipes are ridiculously good, too. How one couples <a href="http://dashandbella.blogspot.com/2015/01/its-going-to-be-okay.html" target="_blank">getting a drug fix from a neighbor kid with a pecan cheese ball recipe</a>, I'll never know, but she does it perfectly. She has a book in the works and I am going to buy it the instant it comes out.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6MVxS9EfmFh3FjA4pgZE6QJjDaT4jdRpxJdfdIMBToGXAkfJXu255cunWecHI4PGtFUIYI8qP8oBIuCLsL4j2lDQLWPLojIbH0xzftYuKHH4ZYpHMiP22DZEx9dIW5TPF8dwdnJtLTiCx/s1600/5+second+rule.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6MVxS9EfmFh3FjA4pgZE6QJjDaT4jdRpxJdfdIMBToGXAkfJXu255cunWecHI4PGtFUIYI8qP8oBIuCLsL4j2lDQLWPLojIbH0xzftYuKHH4ZYpHMiP22DZEx9dIW5TPF8dwdnJtLTiCx/s1600/5+second+rule.tiff" height="84" width="320" /></a><a href="http://5secondrule.typepad.com/my_weblog/" target="_blank">5 Second Rule</a> - Reader's choice last year for Best Writing, and deservedly so. There is just one photo per post (usually stunning on a dark background), so the words shine. On my very very good days, my posts would be like these. I loved <a href="http://5secondrule.typepad.com/my_weblog/2015/01/avocado-persimmon-pomegranate-salad.html" target="_blank">a New Years piece where introduces her desk</a>: "<i>It's a cherry slab with a deep gouge. It weighs a ton. It dates back to my grad school days in Somerville, Massachusetts. Today, and every day, it's littered with papers, with news clippings, with stacks of fluorescent post-its. I neaten it often, but within seconds, it reverts to its natural state. One can only do so much.</i>" The recipes are simple, lovely combinations of good ingredients that anyone can make.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWopKCmLBSiVYDkOkgJQvTWxRUZ4pOQeoIUD3gqgfnPLfg8Wq2k9o3lyI2HG3xSnhvAr2bqDfgxH4XLS-fYezAZgXx5Lnk48cvjvUBIWhNbKIoi7hCwQNWxfvXiJO5xsz0DRhJDiX6ywi/s1600/Bev+Cooks.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWopKCmLBSiVYDkOkgJQvTWxRUZ4pOQeoIUD3gqgfnPLfg8Wq2k9o3lyI2HG3xSnhvAr2bqDfgxH4XLS-fYezAZgXx5Lnk48cvjvUBIWhNbKIoi7hCwQNWxfvXiJO5xsz0DRhJDiX6ywi/s1600/Bev+Cooks.tiff" height="64" width="200" /></a><a href="http://bevcooks.com/" target="_blank">Bev Cooks</a> - One of the few breezy "we're all best girl friends here" type blogs that I truly find funny and entertaining on a regular basis. This woman has a gift for natural, seemingly effortless comedy, and her food is both approachable and tasty, a winning combination. Typical recipe intro: <br />
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<i>I see your dinner and raise you <a href="http://bevcooks.com/2015/02/slow-cooker-cuban-sliders/" target="_blank">CUBAN SLIDERS</a>.
Let me just start by saying two things. Three things. A few things: </i><br />
<ul>
<li><i>There will never be enough articulation in any universe to describe my immortal devotion to these sliders. </i></li>
<li><i>Obviously I didn’t invent this recipe, but I did tweak a couple o’ thangs to Bevi-botch it. </i></li>
<li><i>We were supposed to get snow last night and all it did was shoot a rainy snot rocket and call it a day. </i></li>
<li><i>My coffee’s stronger than usual.</i></li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUFHzypx66fwGYlayQIPRresfJtefBtibp-wLnjA9RQvU9LsxL9qv_ND_6qHb4LJqb75iPlxBt_HD0B4tt70QoSPznw-XvIEOIjKSOvqjNODRvqIX82FRrDcq02ImrFRopw4skvO_AiM7/s1600/Glazed+and+confused.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUFHzypx66fwGYlayQIPRresfJtefBtibp-wLnjA9RQvU9LsxL9qv_ND_6qHb4LJqb75iPlxBt_HD0B4tt70QoSPznw-XvIEOIjKSOvqjNODRvqIX82FRrDcq02ImrFRopw4skvO_AiM7/s1600/Glazed+and+confused.tiff" height="59" width="320" /></a><a href="http://glazedandconfused.us/" target="_blank">Glazed and Confused</a> - There's been a run of young stars emerging in the food blogging world, including an <a href="http://www.topwithcinnamon.com/" target="_blank">English high-schooler</a> with a global following and a brand new cookbook. But this one's actually a wunderkind, in my mind. A 20 year old self-confessed One Direction maniac, this kid made himself a <a href="http://glazedandconfused.us/blog-1/chicken-waffles-cake" target="_blank">chicken & waffles birthday cake</a>, and I kinda wanted to eat all of it. 'Nuff said.<br />
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I don't personally know the creators of these sites, but I feel like I do. They are opinionated and talented and generous with themselves online, which is what makes their work compelling and excellent. They have legions of anonymous fans like me because they deserve them. There are other sites, too, that I recommend to you for the very same reasons. <a href="http://joythebaker.com/" target="_blank">Joy the Baker</a>. <a href="http://www.displacedhousewife.com/" target="_blank">Displaced Housewife</a>. <a href="http://movitabeaucoup.com/" target="_blank">Movita Beaucoup</a>. <a href="http://foodforthethoughtless.com/" target="_blank">Food for the Thoughtless</a>. All of the links on the sidebar there are well worth your time to click through and read. Not to mention last year's <a href="http://iamafoodblog.com/" target="_blank">blog of the year</a> - it is simply sensational.<br />
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So no. I'm not going to humbly ask you to nominate Cheesy Pennies this year. I'm going to humbly thank you for reading instead***.<br />
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* Well, to tell the online editors at a certain food magazine that I don't even subscribe to that Cheesy Pennies is The Best.</div>
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** They should just not include a "web stats" tab in the blogging software. Then my paltry traffic would be out of sight, out of mind.<br />
*** Plus, I already won <a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2013/09/best-in-show.html" target="_blank">a bunch</a> of <a href="http://www.latimes.com/food/la-fo-holiday-cookies-2014-sg-storygallery.html" target="_blank">other stuff</a>, so I can be noble and realistic at the same time.</div>
Cheesy Pennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740907878961625797noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060569258857353714.post-62622213955938419182015-03-02T01:58:00.000-08:002015-03-03T19:40:03.944-08:00Sometimes you just can't bake itThere are times when life is good.<br>
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Work is interesting and productivity is high. Your teenager smiles at you for real. Your bank account balance is surprisingly fat, and your thighs are surprisingly thin*.<br>
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At times like these, one can tackle epic, multi-step dessert recipes with aplomb. Store-bought ice cream? Caramel from a jar? Puh-lease! In fact, I'll just be <a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2010/02/to-do-tiramisu.html" target="_blank">making my own damn mascarpone cheese and zabaglione for that tiramisu</a>, thank you very much.<br>
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Then there are times when life is just plan f$@%ed up.<br>
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People who are supposed to love you are impossibly cruel and the cat barfs on the carpet and despite your best intentions, your email box is the one on the right.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdnTxISSlzo5tT4iX9tkfMCuhNED07Ot_0XWjDrWW7j7cwXFu04zwJq9m80cjcN_GtsAQ5cfIp7llOHly-Ms6OXHkT-4PvBVLdbw0ctnUI7AX0hGVIVvoRvyX1lnitJHcTQ9OwNjwA0i4/s1600/Funny+Tweet+about+email.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdnTxISSlzo5tT4iX9tkfMCuhNED07Ot_0XWjDrWW7j7cwXFu04zwJq9m80cjcN_GtsAQ5cfIp7llOHly-Ms6OXHkT-4PvBVLdbw0ctnUI7AX0hGVIVvoRvyX1lnitJHcTQ9OwNjwA0i4/s1600/Funny+Tweet+about+email.jpg" height="330" width="640"></a></div>
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From <a href="https://twitter.com/EliLanger/status/572081933452218368" target="_blank">this posting</a> on Twitter</div>
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For those days, and for someone I love very much who is having a particularly cat-barf-y time of it right now, there are these No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Nut Butter Instant Happiness Treats.<br>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C-iqs5w595M/VOrjyKfUtEI/AAAAAAABrNw/ejcNqVtNtDY/s1600/DSC_5984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chocolate Oatmeal Nut Butter Treats | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C-iqs5w595M/VOrjyKfUtEI/AAAAAAABrNw/ejcNqVtNtDY/s1600/DSC_5984.JPG" height="424" title="Chocolate Oatmeal Nut Butter Treats | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
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I found the recipe <a href="http://www.browneyedbaker.com/no-bake-chocolate-peanut-butter-oatmeal-cookies/" target="_blank">online</a>, and made a batch almost on a whim. But the minute I took a bite, I was immediately transported back to a summer during elementary school. I'd been sent away to a science and nature camp for city kids with a bunch of people I didn't know and they were all <i>really</i> mean to me. I hated everything about it...the dingy bunks, the creepy-crawly woods, and the smelly labs, but more than anything, I loathed the girls I was grouped with. I was utterly miserable the entire time, except for one day, near the end of camp, when the cafeteria ladies served these exact same treats at lunch. I vividly remember the taste and how happy I was, just for a minute, to be eating something so delicious in the midst of that horrible place. I swear these saved me by making the experience, if not good, at least bearable. <br>
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I polished off my treat. Only the happiness and none of the hurt came back to me. Life really is good sometimes.<br>
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Believe me, I do not wish the horrors of pre-teen peer ostracism or any other kind of emotional turmoil on anyone**, but just in case, it's good to be able to make your own instant ray of hope out of chocolate, peanut butter, and sugar***. While you're waiting for the pain to fade away with time (and getting that inbox cleared out) these will definitely tide you over very nicely.<br>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ELi7CPqkBFw/VOrj0bmhSQI/AAAAAAABrOI/F3pC_uYsF_Q/s1600/DSC_5992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chocolate Oatmeal Nut Butter Treats 2 | Cheesy Pennies" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ELi7CPqkBFw/VOrj0bmhSQI/AAAAAAABrOI/F3pC_uYsF_Q/s1600/DSC_5992.JPG" height="422" title="Chocolate Oatmeal Nut Butter Treats 2 | Cheesy Pennies" width="640"></a></div>
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P.S. If you are truly having a tough day, I found watching this video made me ridiculously cheerful. As in, howling with laughter. Via <a href="http://kottke.org/15/02/the-katering-show" target="_blank">Kottke</a>.<br>
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<a href="http://cheesypennies.blogspot.com/2015/03/sometimes-you-just-cant-bake-it.html#more">Read on for the recipe (and more photos!) »</a>Cheesy Pennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740907878961625797noreply@blogger.com0