the day after christmas!

Hello! I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and could spend time with their family whether virtually or in-person. Here at my house we're a big fan of family Zoom calls so that we can see Lila. Her presents were themed this year because she got her very own play kitchen! I sent her a shopping cart, my parents sent the kitchen, Bebe sent her pots and pans and she also got a little grocery basket filled with food, it was cute to watch her open her gifts. I hope we're able to see them soon.

I did make the shortbread cookies but I'll be honest, they were a pain. I was lazy and the recipe told me to refrigerate the dough in a rectangular prism so that once it's chilled I could just slice it into 1/2 inch thick pieces and bake the cookies. But, I refrigerated the dough, overnight, in a ball instead and it resembled something like a cannon ball. I tried to salvage it but I ended up only baking 7 cookies. They were really tasty but not pretty so I don't have a picture. I really don't know if I'd try it again, I've definitely made easier cookies. I think if someone really like shortbread I'd make them for them but just to bake, probably not. However, it's not the recipes' fault, it's my own. So, here it is: https://preppykitchen.com/shortbread-cookies-recipe/.

I made the blueberry bread into mini loaves for some of my neighbors, I don't really know how big the pans were but I followed the recipe the same way I would for a big loaf and it made three small ones. I was supposed to be able to gift the too thick brownies or the cannon ball shortbread cookies but because neither of those were a real success I went back to my tried and true blueberry bread. I know it's not super festive but it's yummy and I feel like everyone likes blueberries and muffins so why not combine them into a cute little loaf! I am anxiously awaiting some feedback from my neighbors, I'll have to ask my mom to ask them. Also I made it with fresh blueberries instead of frozen so the berries actually like pop in the loaf. It looks really nice but I totally forgot to take a photo. I know I've posted the recipe in other blogs.

Since I wasn't at home for Thanksgiving I didn't get to eat any of the sweet potato casserole with the marshmallows on top. Luckily, my mom was kind enough to get the stuff to make it so we had it as part of our Christmas dinner. She peeled the potatoes and I did everything else. It turned out really nice and yummy. I do have a picture. I also have no idea where she got the recipe but it was pretty standard, potatoes, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, a little bit of vanilla, salt, and pepper and marshmallows on top! Also, if you're thinking "wow! This picture looks professional!" It's because my big Christmas gift was a new phone and the camera quality is really nice. I just thought I'd share. Plus I think the casserole would've been pretty regardless of camera quality.

I also went on a Christmas run. I was planning on running 4 miles but it turns out my loop was a little too long and I ended up running 5, it's okay, it felt good and I'm glad it was nice enough to be able to run. It was also my Garmin 1-year anniversary. I'm pleased with my watch and I'd really recommend it. It's sturdy enough that I can do literally any workout with it and I can sail in it.

I had breakfast with one of my friends from high school this morning! I guess I've known Winston longer than high school because we met on Porter's boat before I even lived in Annapolis so yeah... We just chatted and caught up, it was really nice.

I ran once I got home, I only went 3 miles because it was really cold but I just wanted to do something and then I jump roped for 15 mins. It's harder than it looks and I learned that it's more fun when you can talk to a friend while you're doing it. Afterwards I did a little ab workout and then I showered and then I made my dad some chocolate chip banana bread. I used the same recipe I always use, the food.com one. I just used the Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 gluten free flour and it tastes pretty normal in my opinion. I've also just been making gluten free baked goods for my dad for so long that now that they have the 1-to-1 flour it's a game changer. Long ago you used to have to use almond flour, coconut flour, even quinoa flour and like make a little mixture and add weird things to make sure it stuck together, the times really have changed and I, as the baker, and my dad, as the eater, are certainly appreciative.

Alright I think that's all for now. I hope everyone has a happy rest of their holidays and a happy new year!