We even had a sun break yesterday.
This past weekend was a dog show in Ridgefield, WA (this is the Vancouver area) and it didn't go so well which I took surprisingly hard. But I know a lot of that is the additional life stress.
I would like to acknowledge The Shilo Inn for being so accommodating to my meltdown. They totally went above and beyond and I will absolutely remember them for it.
Needing a plan for this week, I woke up Monday morning re-dedicating myself to studying. This is my standing workstation solution (I go completely bonkers sitting too long):
I like to stand at an ironing board and knit when I have a lot of Webinars or slideshows to get through. The project has to be mindless enough that I can pay full attention and even set it down to take notes.
I also had a meeting last night and decided to make them my victims for gluten free baking (which I only marginally know what I am doing). There is a big request for it at an upcoming auction and I just don't eat that way enough to trust my own judgement.
Gluten Free Peanut Butter Doughtzel Balls:
I used Bob's all purpose gluten free (1.5 cups, I didn't have almond flour and didn't want to buy it) and no xanthan gum. I find xanthan expensive for someone who is not gluten free and except for the fact these cookies came out a bit "flat" it didn't matter in the least - they were good stuff. I got strong approval from my test crowd. :)
Have a great week and keep your thoughts towards the Northeast. Just reading about all that is going on over there and all of them without power is enough to feel right in your stomach.
Oh dear, sorry about the dog show disappointment, but sounds like your perspective has returned and you're feeling a bit better? Good luck with the studying!
ReplyDeleteLove the beautiful picture of the sunny landscape and those cookies sound like a winner. Wish I had your baking talents. And I'm typing this at a DIY stand up desk myself so I know exactly what you mean. They are an awesome way to get stuff done!
I am just trying to roll with it more than anything. :) It is a stress I can "drop" for now if that makes sense. It does feel good to be trying to study more again.
DeleteSorry your dog show did not go so well.
ReplyDeleteOkay, so you're obviously very good a multi-tasking (the ironing board, a magazine/book, pen & pad, knitting & a computer)...I wonder if you can rub off through the internet.
Those cookies do looke quite good if I may say so.
I've been through a few hurricanes myself, and really don't want to say thankful, but really am that we have not flooded like that. I feel for everyone up in the Northeast who has been affected by this storm.
:) I don't know if people would say I am good at it or not, but it is how I operate and I make the most of it. I sometimes envy people that can sit through entire tasks or entire movies, but I find it just doesn't work for me.
DeleteThose cookies were super good.
I don't even have hurricanes but some cold/windy weather - enough to stress me out. So I feel stress strongly for people without power and resources.
Just to let you know we fared pretty well last night. The wind and rain were relentless and lasted quite a long time, but we didn't lose power (only cable/internet for a few hours). It was noisy and not fun having to take a puppy out in that weather, but we all survived.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear your show didn't go well. I'm curious if you told your cookie guinea pigs if they were gluten free before they took a bite ;-) That way you would probably get a more honest opinion.
Cindy
I have totally been thinking of you. We have had some wind storms out here in which the dogs just have to hold it because of everything that comes down. But with a puppy that is hard stuff.
DeleteI did actually fess up that they were GF. :) Part of my motivation is to see what non-GF thought, but also I wanted opinions from GF eaters. And I followed up today since I am not a GF kitchen to see if they had any yucky feelings. I will bake the GF first, but I am honest that my kitchen is mixed.
Sorry the dog show didn't go as well as you hoped! Like you said on my blog... Nim is young! Plus, it gives you things to work on right??
ReplyDeleteThose cookies look amazing!! I need to try that. I have been dying for a good GF cookie!
Thanks for the kind words. :) I think it was just added stress. Fortunately I love him so much and need him right now all I could do was spoil him afterwards. He was pretty in tune to how upset I was. He is very young and can be really exhausting at times, but he is a good dog.
DeleteI HIGHLY recommend the recipe. Good stuff and very easy to do GF. I thought they tasted fine. For me, I would tend towards the whole wheat version because I like that taste, but trust me, I ate plenty of these. :)
Thanks for your thoughts. I remember when they were showing the forecasts, it didn't look like a fun time in the Northwest either! I'm sorry to hear about the dog show stress...I think this is just the time of year when stress starts to build.
ReplyDeleteI agree. This can be a challenging time of year and it definitely is right now for me.
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