Rosemary Sea Salt Crackers

The thermometer sitting out on the snow-covered deck is incorrect; the needle always pointing to a temperature that stands to be a little too good to be true. Having stood out of the window for as long as my memory can trace, it is an old soul, surviving the chill of winter and the high heat of summer without complaint for decades. I like to imagine the thermometer has become an optimist in its old age, telling me the temperature I long to see while protecting me from the stark reality of winter temperatures.

Right now the thermometer tells me it's a balmy 60° F. The floorboards of the deck are obscured by hard ice and crackling snow (such a temperature certainly cannot be true), but the fabricated temperature still plays up my warm weather fantasies.

With the sun arising earlier each morning, lending natural light to accompany my breakfasts, I think my winter blues are nearing their end. It feels like the end to the dark winter season—the sun has finished hibernating and is rested enough to spend the day dancing across the sky. Even so, there is still a winter chill in the air and the first signs of spring are far from arriving.

The warmth and heat from the oven is still welcomed in my home.

The past weekend I set out to make and bake crackers. Though I've made them once before, I wanted to tackle a new set of flavors and textures. Crackers, if you may not know, are easy to prepare by hand or machine, with the act of rolling out the dough taking up the most time. Boxed crackers pale in comparison to the homespun version, as is often the case with anything bought that can be made homemade.

Rosemary has quickly become one of my favorite spices, with its earthy tones and bright green shade. I enjoy it both in winter or spring, which is perfect for me since the winter weather outside my window never quite matches the spring temperatures listed on the thermometer.

These Rosemary Sea Salt Crackers have a crunchy exterior with a soft and tender interior, mimicking the coveted texture of a perfect chocolate chip cookie. Made with a mixture of whole wheat and all purpose flours, the crackers are flavored with fresh rosemary, cracked pepper, and coarse sea salt. These salty crackers truly pack a punch of flavor. While they would shine with a wine and cheese tray (and impress those lucky enough to give them a try), I ate them plain and by the handful. These crackers didn't last more than 5 hours in my home.

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Whole Wheat Irish Soda Bread

Today I had a very real lesson in the value of a good night's sleep. It wasn't pretty.

For the last month, I've neglected to mention that I started working at a patisserie. While I love making pastries for people, I don't love getting up at five in the morning to do it. Oh, the joy of a baker's hours! It has taken awhile, but I can successfully pull myself out of bed at precisely 5:12 am (so long as I immediately turn on the light. A few seconds too late and I'll find myself sleeping like a baby right through the workday). The only problem is that I can't seem to get myself to bed before eleven.

Less than six hours of sleep every night, for a month, leaves a mark. It usually takes the form of a nasty burn from a cupcake pan or a gash from a bagel knife.

Today my lack of sleep finally caught up with me. I had the mother of all off days. I forgot to put on my apron and only remembered after I spilled flour down my front (may it be known that I am ever graceful.). I dropped pans with horrific clanging. I charred bagels to a gorgeous shade of ash. I often wandered around having completely forgotten what I was meant to be doing or what tool I was trying to find.

Though that last one happens more often than I'd care to admit.

Perhaps worst of all, I went to reheat some chocolate in the microwave. After setting the timer for 30 seconds, I went back to work. After a good bit of time had passed, my coworker let out a yell as plumes of black smoke poured out the microwave. Apparently I hadn't set the timer to 30 seconds, as I had thought. Lord knows what I actually set it to.

The patisserie filled with a thick, hazy smoke. Many a coughing fit was had. Customers walked in very concerned that something was on fire and we hadn't noticed ("Is everything okay back there? Are you sure?... Are you sure you're sure?"). My coworker commented she had never seen chocolate so burnt.

Not getting enough sleep means burning chocolate. It means hurting yourself with hot and sharp kitchen tools. It means wasting time wandering around in mass confusion. It means burning pastries and messing up recipes. It means being exhausted all day, every day.

While getting to bed at a reasonable hour is hard (a month later and I'm still working at it), I've learned that getting sleep is actually important (who knew?). So, if you'll excuse me, I think I hear my pillows are calling me. It's must be time for bed.

Luckily, this Whole Wheat Irish Soda Bread is so simple to make even a sleep-deprived person couldn't mess it up. True story. Soda bread, if you've never made it for yourself, is a quick bread that rises without needing yeast. The bread itself reminds me of a biscuit—crumbly, dense, and ever so sweet. This tender bread is perfect served with jam for breakfast or a thick spread of butter as a side with dinner.

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Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies

At times, I can be very domestic. I spend more time in the kitchen than anyone really should. Baking, cooking, eating, I love it all. I am a part of the rare breed that actually enjoys grocery shopping. If you catch me in the right mood, I don't even mind cleaning.

But, I will never be a true domestic because I am awful at laundry.

First off, I hate laundry. I normally don't use the word "hate" but for laundry I'm making an exception. In the past, I have strategically arranged my clothing so I can go as long as humanly possible without doing laundry. My record is 5 weeks. Everything in my entire wardrobe was worn. Old shirts from high school band, free over-sized t-shirts from radio stations and organizations I know nothing about, the horribly outdated pants I bought 8 years ago that still fit so I can't justify getting rid of them—nothing is safe.

I have gone out in public looking like a far less fashionable Kelly Kapowski from Saved by the Bell. Now, that is just how much I hate laundry.

Since ironing is an extra step in the laundry process, it's a skill I've avoided learning. I don't iron. If I happen to buy clothes that wrinkle more than a Shar Pei puppy, I wear my wrinkled clothing in stride. I try to convince the world that wrinkled dresses are the new black (though I'm not sure it's quite working).

Nevertheless, last week I tried to teach myself the art of the iron. I received a fancy (expensive) pair of shorts for my birthday, but they were wrinkled past the point where even I wouldn't consider wearing them. So, I sucked it up, took out the iron, and went to work. Well, I melted the shorts. Literally, melted a hole straight through the fabric. That definitely didn't help my loathing for laundry.

From now on, I should just stick to what I do best—baking cookies.

These Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies are one good cookie. Even though they are made with whole wheat flour, you might not guess it when eating them. These cookies are a little heartier than your average chocolate chip cookie, with a subtle boost from oats and sliced almonds. You can optionally add a touch of orange zest to spice up the flavor (chocolate and orange will always be one of my favorite flavor combinations). The hint of orange adds a unique touch and brings something new to the classic chocolate chip cookie.

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