Soft Black Pepper Pretzels + Neighborhood Snapshots

A Pretzel Haiku:

Bread twist that is soft.

With salt, has the perfect taste.

How I love you so.

Did you know that Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry? I'm sure I learned that at some point in my high school English class, but since then those fun little facts have been pushed out of my brain to make room for non-fun adult type things, like bills and how to file taxes (without stabbing yourself in the eye repeatedly). Boo! Hiss!

Easter Ranger Cookies

Lately my definition of insanity has been having piles upon piles of recipes, lists of lists of things I want to make, and suddenly walking into the kitchen and thinking, "I don't know what to cook next!"

Uhhh, say what now? Clearly, I have problems.

Strawberry Scones

I have a feeling that many parts of America is huddled under down comforters by the fireside, cursing the winter snow and wishing it were spring time already. Me, on the other hand, is cursing that it’s gotten so warm so quickly here in Okinawa.

No Fuss 30 Minute Banana Muffins

Sometimes you just need a recipe that's classic. Not messed with. Tried and true. Kind of like your favorite jeans, you know? The ones you know make your butt look awesome even after eating a burger and fries the night before. Or that perfect lipstick that somehow magically goes with every outfit in your closet. Oh and especially that black sweater from The Gap you got about 8 years ago....

Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies

I don't really have much of a sweet tooth... I'm more of a salty, crunchy person, though every now and then a well done chocolate chip cookie is worth every granule of sugar and butter inside! There is an upcoming "Dinner in the Barracks" for some of tho Marines who work with Travis and live in the barracks... since they usually eat whatever the mess hall is serving that day, the craving for home cooked foods can be pretty intense. The wives of the squadron, including me, like to play mother hen and take care of them,

Ice Cream Monkey Bread

This bread is crack. I mean it- it's literally addictive. My friend Kim made this the first time I had it, and if I didn't like her so much I would think she were trying to sabotage my life with this bread. I was introduced to monkey bread a few years ago when Travis and I first met and his mom made it for one of my visits, and I instantly fell in love.... with the bread. Oh with Travis too, I guess!

Vanilla Mini Bundt Cakes

The base exchange is a dangerous place. It's busy and crowded, and mostly overwhelming if you are not smart like me and choose to go right when everyone is getting off from work. Not to mention it's basically the only store with familiar products on the entire island of Okinawa. The other option is ordering things online, which is a whole different can of worms. So as I am walking through knowing that I don't need anything other than what is already inside my shopping cart, I just happen to stumble upon the baking/cooking section.