Blame it on the Rain

Maybe it was the unseasonably bad weather, or inspiration from the cake workshop, but this weekend was all about food, food, and more food.  The thing is, as much as I may want to blame this food-fueled weekend on the above-mentioned factors, I know it started way before the weather had a chance to turn for the worse, or taking even one step into Sur la Table.  (The plummeting temps and torrential downpours just strengthened my need to stay inside and nest.)  Come to think of it, I’m pretty sure this fattening weekend was already in the works as I powered through the final hours of my last night shift of the week.  I was so busy and so stressed I don’t remember much from the evening (I didn’t have time to sit down, let alone think.), but I’m pretty sure, as the wee hours of Friday morning came around, I clung to the idea of making brownies like I was clinging to a life raft in stormy seas.  (Sad, but true.)

Then, I made the fateful decision to stop into Foodie Paradise, also known as Whole Foods Market, instead of fighting the morning rush hour, as I was on my way home Friday morning.  I was a goner the moment I saw fresh, local rhubarb on display.  Why not just make two desserts this weekend?  I reasoned the brownies would be for my Newport bestie’s birthday and the rhubarb dessert for Mouse.  (Rhubarb is his favorite, after all.)  Plus, nothing screams SPRING to me more than fresh rhubarb, and after living like a vampire for a few days, I was desperate for something to remind of sunshine and happy days.

Oh, and then I made another fateful decision to stop by our local spice shop, The Savory Spice Shop.  This place is amazing, inspiring and addicting, and as soon as I walked in the door, I just couldn’t help myself from acting like a little kid in a candy shop and going nuts.  With so many delightful options at my fingertips, I became a woman possessed.  Try as I might, I couldn’t stop myself from buying a bunch of new ingredients to experiment with.  What baker in her right mind could pass up Madagascar vanilla beans, powdered honey, or Black Onyx cocoa powder, after all?  I just didn’t have the willpower to stop myself.

So, over the next few days, I will put together the recipes of my weekend creations and post them for all to see.  Stay tuned for upcoming deliciousness…