Can this Birdy just say - WHEW!!  It's funny that this Lunar New Year is the Year of the Ram/Sheep, as I'm reminded of that saying that goes with the month of March: In like a lion, out like a lamb. I would call this year so far: "In like a lamb who acts like a lion." ROAR. It's been a little hectic at the Magpie's Nest. Work is going well, keeping me very busy, and my stressbuster of late has been baking. Not so much eating what I make, just enjoying the process, which can be very zen. My latest challenge has been teaching myself the method of French macaron-making, which is very much process-oriented. So while this is probably a better fit for my food blog, Wasabi Prime, I'm sharing this photo of an imperfect first attempt at these tricky cookies. Imperfection is OK. We learn from shortcomings and it only encourages us to keep learning. And at the end of the day, it's a nice reminder to not freak out, and just eat a cookie. Class dismissed!    

Jaunty Fine Print: Photograph by Denise Sakaki

Tick-tock, tick-tock, almost time for Christmas! Are you suffering from the annual nervous breakdown yet? This Bird is on her last feathered nerve, to be sure, but somehow enjoying every harried moment of it. When the moment of crisis arrives, this Magpie resorts to her food instinct and heads into the kitchen to bake. 

The smell of baking cookies is immediately soothing. And the contact sugar high isn't so bad either. Sometimes the greatest gift is one that is homemade and edible. Cookies, cakes, even a pie. No one is unhappy to recieve something like these. And it doesn't have to be decorated in the fuss of sugar and icing. This Bird is more than happy to get a plate full of chocolate chip cookies -- my absolute favorite! So, if you have some time to bake for a loved one, please do. And remember to leave a couple of cookies out on Christmas Eve. I'm sure Santa could use the sugar high on his busiest night of the year.


Jaunty Fine Print:  photo by Denise Sakaki