Creamsicle Sheet Cake
Rachel Held Evans was a progressive Christian writer who embodied vulnerability by dismantling her toxic evangelical ideas and then reassembling her faith in front of all of us. She listened to Jesus. She let herself be moved.
orange
Spiced Orange and Pear Compote
Spiced Orange and Pear Compote
Do you make New Year’s resolutions? Or set intention words or whatever the current thing is? There’s this weird push and pull about things like this: a group shares resolutions and another group sneers at the idea of resolutions and then another group sneers at sneering at resolutions and then…you get the idea.
I even think there’s a group who sneers at the push-pull. Personally I’d like to take a break from the sneering.
Anyway, I made a resolution this year because it served me. My resolution is to
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Blood Orange Champagne Sparkler
Blood Orange Champagne Sparkler
Thanks to MeVee for sponsoring my live stream!
Have you seen those memes where someone jokes about having OCD because they organize their grocery list or evenly space their ornaments out on a Christmas tree? And have you seen the ensuing discussions about using the term OCD as a joke in this way? If you haven’t, it usually goes something like this:
Person 1: I’m so OCD! I have to color code my grocery list. LOL.
Person 2: Hey, that’s actually not OCD; OCD is a disorder that I have. Using the term as a joke makes people confused about what it really is, and less likely to take it seriously, and that bothers me.
Person 1: Ugh, everyone is so offended by everything these days! Lighten up! It was a joke. Relax!
Hot Cranberry Orange Cake
Hot Cranberry Orange Cake
On the last day of school before winter break, the entire middle school sits around in jammies, performs holiday skits, and exchanges white elephant gifts. Last year around this time I was still trying to find my place in a new city and a new school. I hadn’t been a new teacher in so long that I’d forgotten how kids don’t immediately love you. They don’t get your jokes. They don’t know with what weight to interpret your reactions. They don’t know if it’s cool to want to be around you. You spend a lot of time strategizing about where to sit, what to do, and what to say to introduce yourself day after day. Even once the kids choose you as their own, you must continue to nestle into the fabric of your colleagues and learn the culture of the school. All this while you’re struggling to manage the simplest things: trying to find the closest gym or the best route to work. It was a hard year.
Fantastic Mimosa Recipe
Fantastic Mimosa Recipe
Facebook is driving me up the wall (pun intended). In the past, Willow Bird Baking’s Facebook page has been sort of a “home base” for us to chat about all sorts of topics. I share new posts, sure, but we also discuss everything from which way you put your toilet paper on the roll to your favorite trashy snacks. Silly discussions, serious discussions, advice exchanges, “share your favorite song” dance parties, and the occasional Pepsi vs. Coke argument — you name it, we’ve talked about it. We’ve had so much fun over the years.
Now, however, things are changing.
Now, Facebook is hiding my posts from the majority of my followers. The algorithms they use to decide what shows up on your newsfeed have gotten very aggressive. Though Willow Bird Baking has over 10,800 Facebook followers, only about 400 see my posts at any given time. This means discussions that used to be huge and fascinating are now pretty tiny (although still fun!) And it means plenty of you who would probably enjoy joining in and commenting might never even see the post!
Facebook’s motive is simple: they want page owners to pay to promote their posts and get them seen. They’re a business after all. I get it. But it still makes me sad that I can’t reach people who said they want to be reached. I’ve been brainstorming solutions and I think I’ve found a couple of great ones!
First is the easy part: if you like, comment on, and share my Willow Bird Baking Facebook posts, you’ll see them in your newsfeed more reliably. But I’d love a way for you to see EVERYTHING you WANT to see, period. That’s where my newsletter comes in!
I’ve created a new weekly newsletter for those of you who love to share in the community here. If you sign up, you’ll get an email once a week that’ll have a newsy update, links to all the fun discussions we’ve had on Facebook that you can join in (so you won’t miss any), and special bonus features. Sometimes there might be an extra secret recipe, or sometimes a chance to win a gift. I really just wanted a fun, easy place to keep in touch now that Facebook can’t quite be trusted. ‘Cause I love you people.
Now, because I know how carefully I guard my email inbox, let me assure you: I won’t email you more than once per week (unless you’re also signed up for the #happymoments2014 challenge, in which case you’ll get that email too). I won’t share your email address. It’s just a fun, low-pressure place for our lovely community to keep on goin’ strong. Sign up by entering your email address below.
And now let’s share a drink! I recently made a big pitcher of Mimosas (my favorite cocktail!) for a brunch get-together and they were so delicious. I’ve tried several recipes to find my favorite and this one definitely wins. Grab your favorite glass and enjoy.
What are your thoughts about Facebook lately?
One year ago: Spaghetti Squash Baked “Pasta” Boats
Two years ago: Clementine Mousse Cheesecake
Three years ago: Red Velvet Cheesecake
Four years ago: Valentine’s Truffle Heart
Mimosas
Recipe by: Adapted from Inspired Taste
Yield: 1 pitcher of Mimosas (8 servings)
This is my favorite Mimosa recipe! Serve a big pitcher of Mimosas at brunch for a bright, fresh zing!
Ingredients:
1 (750 mL) bottle of Prosecco, chilled
1/2 cup Triple Sec, chilled
3 cups (plus a smidge) pulp-free orange juice (I used a regular sweetened version), chilled
orange slices and raspberries for garnish
Directions:
Make sure all of the ingredients are well chilled. Not long before serving, pour the champagne into the pitcher first. Add Triple Sec and then add orange juice. Adding the orange juice last will naturally mix the mixture so you don’t have to stir and lose bubbliness. Add the orange slices and chill the mixture until ready to serve. To serve, pour into a champagne flute and add a few raspberries for color. Keep the pitcher chilled between rounds.
