Doubt. With a capital D.

Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.  ~Eleanor Roosevelt

While Eleanor Roosevelt may have been the first to say this, my dad was certainly the second....and every time I hear or read this quotation, I have to remind myself that I and I alone either give or deny permission to make me feel inferior.  As of late, I feel like I've been giving permission to make me feel inferior.  I'm not quite sure where this self-doubt is coming from, and quite frankly, I don't like it.  I am being a first class weenie about life right now.  

When I think about all the great things I have coming up---culinary school, house decorating, making new friends, discovering Austin---I get excited.  But then that stupid, self-doubting voice whispers in my ear, "What makes you think you're special?  Or that you'll stand out from anyone else at school?  Are you really going to fit in in Austin?"  Ugh.  


Anyway, on to happier things....


I baked my first blueberry pie on Sunday!  I have to say, I was really pleased with how it turned out, and after letting it sit in the refrigerator for a bit, it ended up looking very similar to the photo in the cookbook!


I'm still getting through the Martha Stewart Cookie Book, slowly but surely.  I made Chocolate Pistachio Biscotti last weekend, as well as an Iced Applesauce Oatmeal Cookie...this past weekend, I made Sand Tarts, which reminded me a lot of the cookies I seem to remember having when I was little at my Grandma Bernie's.  It smells like a cross between a snickerdoodle and a sugar cookie, but has the consistency of shortbread.  Whatever it is....they smelled YUMMY!

New meaning to Iron Chef....

After going back and forth on deciding what I want to be when I grow up, I finally decided Monday afternoon on culinary school!!!  I'll be starting at Austin Community College's Eastview Campus on August 23rd!  When I called Texas State to cancel my advising appointment, even the administrative assistant said, "Oh my gosh.  THAT is AWESOME!"  I realize not many people are fortunate enough to pursue their dreams and make a living doing it.  I've been blessed with a husband who supports me in everything I do, and want to do, with my life.  When people find out I'm doing this, obviously they want to know what I plan on doing with an AAS in Culinary Arts.  My hope is to do a few different things---pastry arts, personal chef, and cooking classes.  I've found lots of inspiration in the industry.  I know this isn't going to be easy, but I've never chosen simple things to do with my life. ;)