Baking is cathartic

I just spent this afternoon in the kitchen. I pulled down my Kitchen-aid and sat it on the counter. Oh so carefully measured out my flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, butter, eggs and vanilla. At this point, I thought, I could make anything. This recipe could take me anywhere. But then I proceeded to dole out the oats, granola, white chocolate chips (you should know I began typing white like this...shite...ha!), diced dried apricots, golden raisins, dried cranberries, and chopped macadamia nuts. Now we're talking! I adapted my from a recipe over at PioneerWoman Cooks called Hyacinth's Everything Cookies. I wanted to try tweaking it a little and let me tell you, these cookies are amazing.

But I stray from the purpose for my post. There's something satisfying about poking around in my kitchen. Measuring out ingredients, mixing them all together, and making something satisfying to the stomach and nourishing to the soul.

One of my first memories of my grandmother, Nannie, is her teaching me about making biscuits. I had this little footstool that I would sit on and watch her lovingly knead the dough, but not too much or you'll make them tough! I had a little cutter that had this little wooden knob on top. She showed me just how to cut them out so you'd get the best rise out of them. Straight down with a little twist of the wrist. Oh how I loved making biscuits with my Nannie. Actually I loved just being in the kitchen with her. I learned my way of cooking from her, a little of this and a little of that until it's just perfect. My Nannie was an amazing lady who spent far too little time on this earth. I look forward to sharing more about her with you.