Morning Attempt

This morning I attempted to make the Parisian Macarons.

And...


they're flat and bumpy.

The almonds are an issue. I have to grind them finer. Much finer. Only, I'm not sure how. The cuisinart didn't do it and the mortar and pestle didn't do it. The closest I could get was with the coffee grinder. So, I might try and do it again with that or go to the local bake shop and see what they recommend.

I think I over-cooked them too. I left them in the oven for the recommended time, but every oven is different.

I did make lovely stiff peaks of egg whites that I dyed green. But the green didn't seem to make it through the oven experience. More food coloring? I don't know.

They're definitely a delicate pastry, but I will not give up! I will prevail!!!

An Inspiring Perspective

I'm used to seeing the world a certain way. My perspective. I think it's something everyone does most of the time. It's easier and doesn't require any extra attention. I see the world as I see it. Plain and simple.

I feel stuck sometimes. Stuck in my writing. Stuck in my art. Stuck in my daily patterns. That's when I say I need inspiration. I.N.S.P.I.R.A.T.I.O.N. And I sit back in my chair and think about exotic places and distant lands I could visit and, thus, replenish myself. Life, unfortunately, doesn't always allow for the much needed travel. But I still need inspiration.

I started thinking about inspiration and realized that a big part of it is really just about changing perspective. Traveling makes it easy. You're instantly thrust into a new culture with vistas you've never seen and flavors you've never tasted. If you immerse yourself in it, you'll probably emerge renewed.

Since I can't travel as much as I'd like, I've decided to try a change of perspective on the home front. Like looking at something or someone I see every day from a new angle. Even trying a new recipe (like Parisian Macaroons) or simply taking a different path to the grocery store. The change isn't quite as sudden as dropping down on a distant tropical island, but it counteracts the discouragement I feel when stagnancy sets in.

So, here's to making new discoveries in everyday life.

Perseverance

It's a rainy day and I'm sitting here drinking some black tea called Ancient Forests. It's suppose to come from some really old tea plants. We're talking a couple thousand years. The tea is dark and sort of tastes like dirt, but in a good way. Does that make any sense at all?

So, I suddenly got an idea in my head. I don't know if it's a good idea or a bad one, but I want to try and bake Parisian Macaroons. The thing is, I AM AFRAID!. These little confectionary treats scare me. They seem delicate and daunting. But as the Bene Gesserit would say, "I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. [...] I will face my fear. I will permit it to passover me and through me."

So, I will attempt them. And soon. If I fail, then I'll try again. The first three times I attempted making bread with yeast the loaves were as hard as a rock. But now I can make yummy, warm, soft bread. I just needed to figure out the whole sugar/yeast/warm water thing. So, when I try and make these Parisian Macaroons they might fall flat and look nothing like they're suppose to and I might cry and be frustrated, but I will persevere. I'm learning to do that more and more. Persevere. It's a good thing.

I'm also almost done with a draft of my novel. Of course, this is just one draft of many to follow. But I'm almost done!!! And it's a crucial point for me, because sometimes when I'm almost done with a project, I have a hard time finishing it. It's that fear again. Frakking fear! So, I joined a little March mini-NaNo, so that I can finish the draft this month. Here's to motivation and facing the fear!


Ooo, I think the sun just came out!!!