On Sunday evening, I sat around the television with some friends tracking the approaching hurricane. Fortunately, for Boston, Monday only brought heavy rains and strong winds. As I am sure you all know by now, not other regions were as lucky. We sent messages to our friends in New York making sure their apartments weren’t underwater or damaged. By in large, our friends were some of the people whose apartments were spared from damage. For everyone else, my warm thoughts go out to you during this period. It seems like during times of crises I realize the difficulty to string together language that consoles and supports others. To all my friends in New York, my thoughts go out to you. If you need a box of any vegan treats send me a message and they will be in the mail.
That being said, Monday we were stuck inside in Boston. I spent most my day catching up on rest from a work event Sunday evening. I thought it would be nice to occupy my time by baking up some cookies. We spent time inside together catching up on our week and cooking food together. For some reasons cookies in the oven & lazy days inside remind me of home.
I have been gone from California for a quite a bit of time now. I haven’t truly been home to stay (at least) for a very long time. I miss California some days, the family & all my friends. That’s the interesting thing about life after college. You start to come to terms with the idea that you are building your own home, complete with family & friends. My sister has been sending me ultrasound pictures lately of my future nephew and every time I ask my partner to make out the face, the small toes, and hands for me because I can’t see them myself.
We are back in Boston. I make deliveries to everyone’s bedroom of fresh cookies. I see their faces light up as they are still in pajamas or waking up over tea even though it’s 2 pm. I’m standing in the kitchen staring out at the storm wondering if the rain will ever stop. Wondering if I ever imagined myself 22 years old in my partner’s house baking vegan cookies in Boston. Wondering whether the cookies taste good.
I think of how big the word family feels tucked inside my lips.
— Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip* Cookies —
Preparation: 30 min.
Cooking: 12-14 min.
Yields: 2 dozen cookies.
ingredients.
-2 cups whole wheat flour
-1 tsp baking soda
-3/4 tsp sea salt
-1 cup chunky unsalted peanut butter
-2 tbs coconut cream
-3/4 cup pure maple syrup
-2 tsp vanilla extract
-1/2 cup almond milk
–1 package fair-trade chocolate chips
directions.
Preheat the over to 350°. Line a baking pan with parchment paper & set aside. In a medium mixing bowl, mix together flower, baking soda & sea salt. In a large bowl, mix together peanut butter, coconut cream, maple syrup, vanilla extract & almond milk. Mix the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients, add the flour mixture 1/4 at a time. Once it is thoroughly mixed add chocolate chips.
Spoon (1 tbs) onto baking sheet lined with parchment paper & press down with fork. Sprinkle sea salt & sugar in the raw over the top. Bake for 12-14 min. Cool for 5 min. Dip in a glass of almond milk & enjoy!!!
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Tea & Stories 
Hey – Dad says, “Hell with the cookies…learn how to make Cannoli!” hahahahaha! i am wondering why i am the one sending you cookies….you need to mail me some! Love and miss you much. Mom xoxoxoxoxo
I find that reading your words instills inside me a sense of peace and belonging. I appreciate the way words spill out of your mouth and find that your writing is easy to connect to. If ever you worry you aren’t reaching out to people with your blog the way wish, remember me. You reach out to me with your language and I find myself at peace. Thank You. And don’t stop blogging.