If you follow me on Instagram (@GrettyGardner), then you may have seen some of my baking collaborations. I participate in these to try some new techniques, have a supportive community to ask questions, and mostly to have fun. My preferred baking approach is an unpolished, delicious, comforting bake. Today I participated in a baking collaboration to help infuse some happiness into the world! Check out the many creations at #bakinghappinesscollab – you’ll be amazed at how creative some of these bakers are!!
My contribution was the spunky oreo. Yes, I made this up. Yes, I think it’s totally awesome. I made oatmeal raisin cookies (straight off the Quaker oats box, with a bit of extra flour and oats so they didn’t get too flat). Why oatmeal raisin you may ask…. Well, oatmeal is heart healthy and raisins are fruit.. So they are healthy cookies (duh!) Happiness to me is often in the form of pink and sparkles. (See first post…) So, I made pink frosting, filled the cookies with them (I mean, who doesn’t love a cookie sandwich!?) and then added some pink sanding sugar and sprinkles. BOOM! Spunky oreos!
What are your favorite cookies? I have such a soft spot for good old fashion chocolate chip, but then again, I love a good peanut butter – especially with some chocolate chips. And pumpkin cookies (also with chocolate chips) are another favorite of mine! I think cookies may be my favorite thing to bake – the simplicity and comfort that they provide is what providing food to others is about for me.
Having this lovely group of bakers welcome and support me has also been amazing. I remember the first collaboration I did – it stretched my ability a ton! It also introduced me to this community. I’ve had people that I can ask a million questions of, that I can bounce ideas off of, and that I am inspired daily by. It’s also fun to be able to welcome new members and provide some support! What type of communities do you have?
How are you holding up? Are you loosing track of the days? I didn’t look at my planner until about 1 o’clock today because I was busy all morning, but it was kind of nice to have forgotten the day. Something feels freeing about it to me. Maybe this is the first sign that I’m losing it? Send help, haha. I’d love to know how you are doing — what would be helpful for me to provide??
xoxo, Gretchen
yes….it is hard keeping track of what day it is. I find I am looking for recipes for things I’ve not made before. Today it was chicken fried rice and it turned out really good. Last night, I made a batch of brownies…..the second batch in a week, which is NOT good, but I think I made them a little healthier this time. I put some coconut, some walnuts, and some cranberries in them. So….that makes them healthier, right??? HAHAHA! Talking to at least one friend per day on the phone and listening to music that is special to me are two things that are helping me get through this.
It sounds like you are doing well Pat — I saw some of your food pics, look yummy!