
Happy New Year…
I wanted to start this new year on a sweet note and what better and easier way to share sweetness is there than cooking some delicious chocolate chip cookies for my family on a pleasant winter evening (and sharing the picture of it on the blog)?
They look pretty cramped in that tray in the picture but they separated out quite easily, stayed chewy and tasted just right. That is a big win in my books.
I am not sure if it is the extended lockdown or cold weather outside but I am watching a lot of cooking shows lately, googling new recipes online and itching to get my fingers busy for dough kneading or nut chopping or pan buttering on most days of the week. As on tonight, as I am typing this blogpost, my dough is rising for Afghani naan for dinner tonight. I think I am getting more drawn to cooking than ever before.
I am currently watching top chef Canada and Final Table and have totally pared down my book reading goals for this year to a mere 12 books per year. For those who didn’t know or was not reading my blog for a long time, I was reading as of my life depended on it last year, completely utilizing the extra time we all had in 2020 by reading books from various genres and completed reading 100 books by the last week of December. Huh.
But this year, I want to try new things. I am trying to keep my mind peaceful, not feeling anxious about things that are beyond my control and taking pleasure in the little wins that we can gather around the home and in the work we do. I am trying to cheer myself and people around me up.
I am keeping my Christmas lights on and will do it for the whole of January to continue to cheer my neighborhood in this round of lockdown. I am trying new recipes and baking cookies. I am drinking hot chocolate at home and taking care of my skin. I am reading stories to my kid and sharing drink with my husband.
In times like these where we are not sure we are at the end of tunnel yet, I think an extra little string of lights, handful of cookies and lots of hugs to loved ones are the easiest cure that we can offer. All is good. And it will stay good. It can only get better from here. That is my hope for you, me and all of us.
How was your first week this year? Let me know in the comments below.