Blocked and Loaded

On the cusp of… texting

HI!

So I haven’t been writing because I… just don’t feel like it.

I am / my phone is full of pictures, stories, reviews and more and I… just want to not deal with ANY of it.

I think, my friends, this is what you call a rut. I’m in a creative rut and rather than work it out by myself I have decided to air out my not-so-dirty laundry here.

1. I’m in a rut because after a truly exciting and fun birthday (I dragged out celebrations for about one week because #imworthit) a return to normalcy feels a little too normal. Where is my 10th birthday cake? Why aren’t people randomly hugging me anymore? Does this mean I get no more free wine?

2. I’m a rut because a close friend moved away for her PhD – and I miss her. I used to be able to completely deal with saying goodbye to a friend, especially having moved so much as a kid, but the older I get the more I realize I am not the Tin Man. Which is super annoying.

3. I’m in a rut because I have SO many projects to start on – that I don’t know where to start. Do I re-start my failed scrap booking project? Do I start reading about and implementing the terrifying KonMarie method? Do I finally keep the promise I made to myself and readers to amp up the blog with better photography – using the gazillion props my friends have gifted me over my past two brithdays (IGETTHEHINT).

I feel like I am on the cusp of doing some great stuff and yet something, specifically my mind, is holding me back.

Still I know the only solution to this rut, and to most other problems – imaginary or real – that I might have, is to get my head out of my ass and get on with it.

Actually after writing this, I’m already feeling a little less blocked. Excuse the imagery.

Internet-ing: FOOD BLOGS

When I read food blogs I feel the way little kids do when they meet a cool grown-up.

I want my blog to be just like this blog when it grows up!

Thing is, I read a lot of food blogs so I have a feeling my blog is a little confused about its future.

Some blogs standout because of their witty writing, some with the best recipes I’ve ever made, some with stunning photography and the rare few with all of the above.

And the personality of each blog? Wildly different.

Still, since my blog is in its infancy it may be wise to draw inspiration from all these varied wildly talented people.

SO I give you the best food blogs on the Internet (according to me).

Chocolate Blackberry Pudding

The Sugar Hit – All-Rounder
1) Lip-smacking in your face photos with none of that overdone faded effect (both pictures in this post are from The Sugar Hit)
2) Funny and very relatable. Bonus: the recipes aren’t overly descriptive (aka the blog assumes you have some common sense).
3) Flavor combos that have you slack-jawed and drooling at the screen – like chocolate and raspberry muffins and apple fritters and salted caramel.
4) I can’t comment on the recipes because I’ve never made one! (SORRY SARAH – FYI Sarah is the author and we’re totes best friends now because she replied to my email, ok?) Shall I start with the Salted Caramel & Macadamia Pull-Apart Bread???

Joy the Baker – Famous
1) There’s a reason why this blog is famous. The recipes are something special. The Cranberry Orange & Pecan Coffee Cake? Best cake I’ve made in my life to date.
2) Bewarned the recipes are elaborate – but they are detailed and the blog features useful tips.

Cooking Classy – Reliable
1) Cook anything from this blog and I guarantee it will be amazing. The Chocolate Cupcakes with Coconut Frosting were not only the first cupcakes I made in my life, they were better than ANY cupcakes I’ve eaten ever.
2) The savory dishes are simple and good, like the Thai Peanut Quinoa Salad that kickstarted a salad binge in my house.
3) Really regular posts = key in this short attention span world.

Lady and Pups – Asian Fusion and Kick-Ass Personality
1) Recipes that make you sit up and go WOAH – like this gem: The New York Halal Drunk Food
2) That photography – THAT PHOTOGRAPHY
3) The tagline – An Angry Food Blog – which hints at the deliciously acerbic prose

The Kitchn/Bon Appetit/Food52 – ResourceFULL
Not exactly blogs more like Internet food bibles – they have HUGE recipe databases, useful advice like how to pack a better lunch and are a great place to hangout for any foodie.

Salted Caramel & Macadamia Pull Apart Bread