Anxious but Ambitious

Hello, friends.

For a couple of months, I have been feeling a bit on the frazzled side. Much of my life has changed. Key points: I have withdrawn from school for the semester due to personal and health-related issues. But never fear! I will be return and graduate! Also: My parents are moving five hours away this spring, and I am not altogether certain that I am ready to not be anyone's kid anymore. And finally: I am recently singled, still cohabitating with my ex until further plans can be made as to what to do with our now cumbersome lease.

So, I'm sorry. This frail version of my former self has been a tad bit on the sad side, and hasn't been doing much cooking. And when I have cooked, it has been old, uninventive staples that fulfill the requirements of nourishment and comfort, but do not aspire to blog-worthy standards. And now, I've gone and gotten sick. Sniffly, runny nose, body chills, and a terrible, keep-you-up-all-night cough. Not condusive to gourmet adventures.

I was a bit hopeless for awhile there, friends. Was I even worthy of calling myself a foodie at all? And the Absentminded Chef?? "Cook" is stretching it. But I was reading a blog that I really enjoy, called Becoming a Foodie . About how it's okay to love blood oranges but it's also okay to love Velveeta. And I realized, I am the Absentminded Chef! I make spinach artichoke dip that will knock you naked! I have grapeseed oil in my pantry for drizzling on baby spinach! And I'm a real person too! So there!

Now, a whole woman once more, I must bid you adieu. Earl Grey is calling me- the loveliest, most aromatic Earl Grey I have ever tasted, bought at The Fresh Market, loose- to be tied up in cheese cloth and brewed. I am particularly fond of it with a dash of half and half and a fair measure of sugar. But since I am the only person drinking tea, and am a real person, and I left my kettle at my mother's house, I will be heating my water- IN THE MICROWAVE! Shocking!

Gourmets, mock me if you dare.

Love,
The Absentminded Chef