On Inspiration, Engaging in Dangerous Hungry Behavior, and Lip Stain

There are so many things to say. And my fingers can only type so fast. 

I want to tell you about the delicious (albeit slightly unsightly) Irish Soda Bread I made last weekend. But before I do, I'm going to give it one more go in the interest of getting a better picture out of the recipe. I blame my oven that cannot and will not calibrate. Totally my oven.

I also want to tell you about that time that I went to hot yoga class, and as sweat dripped off my forehead at an alarming rate, I daydreamed. Not of my body as a temple/tree/energy source/breath, but of McDonald's. So as I uttered "namaste" to my teacher, I rolled up my yoga mat and took my body to a McDonald's where I proceeded to sit in the parking lot and drink a vanilla milkshake like it was water. Water. (Nevermind that that time was yesterday.) I will not comment on the french fries.

I want to tell you about all of the inspiring cookbooks that are sitting on my kitchen table (hello  hello hello) and all of the recipes that I plan to make. About that crock pot that has finally been put to use. About my newfound love for an immersion blender. 

But it is getting late and I am still recovering from a McDonald's induced hangover. But I must tell you this. Tonight, I met Joy the Baker. After detailing to my boyfriend the gifts I got for Joy's visit (Stumptown coffee, Josie Maran Lip Stain, and homemade cookies) and how this was completely normal and by no means questionable behavior, he sated me with a "I just don't want you to get hurt, honey." He clearly doesn't read her blog (or listen to the podscast-io). 

Gifts and rainboots in tow, I got my butt in my car and over to Beaverton in the pouring rain. Thank God I'm punctual and arrived a cool 2 hours early, because I scored a front row seat. Yes, I have two Joy the Baker cookbooks.

She was completely humble and hilarious, at the same time sophisticated and approachable. She gave great tips on blogging ("Find your own voice." "Don't judge your content based on what other people are doing." "Be consistent.") and answered candid questions from a packed audience. 

Joy has been my biggest inspiration and role model in the blogging world and it was truly a dream come true - a check mark on my bucket list even - to have enjoyed her company tonight. If she's in your town over the next few weeks (book tour schedule here), I highly recommend you stop by and say hello. But maybe cool it on the lip stain. In retrospect, that may have been a little over the top.