Rain, Rain, Go Away...

I like rain as much as the next person but it's getting a little ridiculous around here (Los Angeles to be exact). Oh, it's not as bad as the freezing cold and blizzards of snow blanketing the Midwest, East Coast and Europe but, it has been an unrelenting barrage of one storm after another. So, the question begs...what's a girl and a mother of the chauffeuring persuasion supposed to do?

Well, of course, the chauffeuring of Joshua MUST continue no matter what the weather might be so I've been driving him all over town for various playdates, camp and doctor's appointments. In between, I've been running around getting last minute errands and shopping done (not gifts, mostly groceries and baking supplies) before everything shuts down for Christmas.

I have found myself soaked to the bone more than once. And my naturally curly hair, which I painstakingly have blow dried straight since I was a teenager, has been rebelling in a quite unattractive way. If on top of that you factor in my not wearing any make-up (and that is most days) you can only imagine what a vision of loveliness I am to look at. Maybe it's a real good thing and a blessing in disguise that nobody knows who I am because the paparazzi would have an absolute field day with me otherwise.

To maintain (or acquire) some sense of balance so I don't go screaming into the night from the sheer
horrifying sight of myself, I have done what any sane or semi-sane person would do...I have been BAKING A LOT...not non-stop baking mind you (I do have that chauffeuring to do and those errands to run not to mention some work to do) but a lot of baking nonetheless. The last several days I have cranked up The Three Tenors and my local classical station 98.1, donned my adorable pinked striped stiletto apron (a birthday gift from my sweet Adele), turned on the oven and gotten to work (or for me gotten to do what brings me pure pleasure) in my little kitchen.

I've made Nanci's Nirvana Bars (my own creation/adaptation of a Bread & Cie recipe), Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies (a Joshua request), Chocolate Chip Crumb Buns (another Joshua request), Chocolate Chip and Peanut Butter Chip Scones (yet another Joshua request...do you detect a chocolate theme going on here?!), my Grandma Rose and Aunt Irene's famous Pumpkin Bread (some with chocolate chips, some with cranberries and pecans), Whole Wheat Sables with Cacoa Nibs, Chocolate Sandwich Cookies with Vanilla Buttercream Filling and just today I began the process of making a sinful Chocolate Coffee Layer Cake with Mocha Buttercream Frosting with Chocolate Ganache dripping down the top and sides, decorated with chocolate covered espresso beans (a first time shot at this recipe...keep your fingers crossed...that will hopefully be the belle of the ball at the Christmas Eve dinner Joshua and I are going to at Jacklynn and Casey's...otherwise known as my ex-sister-in-law, technically speaking because I never got divorced from her, and my niece).

Yes, I know, I know, it sounds a bit insane but I assure you it's what has actually kept me sane during all the holiday madness and out of control weather. So, there you have it, my pets...when the rain comes, when the car breaks, when I'm feeling down I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel so bad...

Go forth and BAKE, BAKE, BAKE...like all Sugar and Stilettos girls (and boys!) live our motto (Spreading sweet inspiration one treat at a time) to its fullest...from our house to yours Joshua and I wish you a Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and all that yummy, delicious stuff!

Our 2010 Holiday Photo/Mary Ann Halpin Photography

xoxo Nanci

P.S. Several of the recipes mentioned above are already on the website RECIPE page...those that aren't will be soon so be on the lookout for them.