Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup, using Annie’s base then adding in the middle: 1/2 cup each: vegan graham cracker crumbs, melted peanut butter and vegan powdered sugar stirred together.
Blogging is a funny thing. At first you start posting your recipes, hoping to garner some sort of recognition, then you start reading other people’s blogs, then joyfully and inevitably some lovely friendships form. Sometimes, you get lucky enough to actually meet and get to know these friends. Pure love. So, I’m apologizing now to all my blogging friends whom I haven’t been by your sites to read or comment on your posts lately. In the last month I’ve sustained two different injuries that have left me mostly couch bound, reading the classics, and drinking lots of tea and trying not to feel sorry for my sad self. My cooking skills have gone down the proverbial toilet (as evidenced by THREE batches of failed cupcakes for a Valentines party yesterday). You may have noticed I haven’t been around, I’m not feeling inspired and I’m sorry to say that the last thing I’m interested in right now is reading about food. I’m sure when I recover I’ll be back with a vengeance, but in the meantime I hope you’ll forgive my absence. It’s not you, it’s me.
Annie’s Whole Wheat Nectarine Pancakes (except I used apples) and a blob of her Cocoa Coconut Butter. The best invention ever.
It hasn’t helped my mojo that one of my best blogging buddies jumped ship and moved back to her home in Oklahoma after being here in Utah for the better part of 2012. I’m feeling forlorn and I miss her like I miss my right arm. I thought you might enjoy a post about her food since I’m not creating anything wonderful. At least you can get some inspiration from Annie at An Unrefined Vegan.
Assembling the chocolates.
Flavors to try: coconut, chopped crystalized ginger, roasted almond and raisin, orange (using a couple drops essential oil), mayan (cinnamon and chili), peppermint (using a couple drops essential oil), pecan, and of course peanut butter cup.
Annie’s Miso Ginger Soup with mushrooms added in. Nearly as comforting as a hug from the girl herself.
I’ll miss our lunch dates my friend.
The big funny: Emergency pit stop with Annie at the always fabulous Cafe Rio Mexican Grill after a lunch date at another restaurant we were reviewing left us famished and disappointed (minuscule portions, average food).
Vedged Out 
Well, I’ve enjoyed our short chats. They’ve meant alot to me.
“If only I could so live and so serve the world that after me there should never again be birds in cages* or animals in shelters” *Isak Dinesen author of OUT OF AFRICA “No one could make a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.” Edmund Burke “We can do no great things, only small things with great love.” Mother Teresa
Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2013 16:26:01 +0000 To: hottdeanne@hotmail.com
Thanks Deanne. It’s always nice to be able to reach out and help someone. xx
Aw! Sounds like life has been a bit turbulent recently. Hope the sun pops out soon for you, Somer. 🙂 xx
Actually, the sun is shining nicely today, which is a nice break from the winter gloom. My spirits are up and expect my body will heal quickly. Thanks for your well wishes. 🙂 xx
Hi,
Nice to see you back I posted something and mentioned your blog. The post is called mal di testa!
Thanks! I’ll check it out!
I picked a fine time to leave you, huh? Bawling my eyes out, girl. Miss you something awful. A little bit of the sunshine went out of my life, for sure. Thank goodness for texts and emails. Funny, every time I go into the kitchen, I think about sharing with you what I’m making – getting your advice – laughing over something I messed up. Love you xoxo
You know I was crying my eyes out too when I drafted this. Lunches and visits were like bright rays of sunshine. I’m not really as morose as I think this post sounds, just need a blog break. Healing and I’m sure I’ll be fired up and ready to go soon. I wanted to text you at midnight last night about the bemoaned cupcakes, but thought it best to let you sleep in peace. First batch, overwhelming vinegar flavor. Oops. Second batch, overflowing and stuck to the cupcake pan. Third batch, burned. I turned it all around and made a milk chocolate orange version of your chocolates. I’ll share the recipe with you via email. Big fat hugs and much love. xoxo
I admire you for persevering with the cupcakes for three batches! Dang, I hate days like that!
Makes you want to throw in the towel, but man was I rewarded for not giving in and coming out with fabulous chocolates.
Aww. 😦 I know what it feels like when a dear friend moves away. Hope you two get to meet each other often again.
Somer, I didn’t know about your injuries, girl. Take care and try to enjoy the down time to the max. *hugs*
She’s coming for a visit in April. Holding out til then 🙂
Oh Somer – that is the toughest combination!! Not being well and missing Annie!!! I would miss her too, terribly!! I can so imagine how you two have fun 🙂
Get well soon my friend – sending you lots of love and hugs XXXXX
Thanks so much Anne. I can feel your love and warmth and appreciate it so much. Can’t underestimate the power of lovely vibes. They can do a lot for healing the body and soul. xx
Take care of yourself Somer. I’m not doing much on my own blog at minute as stuck on other stuff and too exhausted to write up posts at mo. So a lot of us are at it. Had missed your great posts alright but sure I’m a fine one to be talking:))
Haha. Sometimes we just need a break eh? I’m sure I’ll be back at it soon enough.
Here’s a BIG HUG, Somer. I had a dear friend move clear across the country last August. I miss her terribly, but I know she is happier in the sun. Seattle just wasn’t her thing.
I am glad to hear you are taking care of yourself. Miso soup is my go to when I need some healing. That one looks super delicious. Don’t worry about us. There is a time for everything.
Big hug received! Thank you! Funny how much a friend’s absence can affect you, even when you know you can email, text or pick up the phone. It’s just not the same as an in person visit.
I’ll keep taking care. xx
so sorry to hear you are couch-bound, somer! i wish you a speey recovery, inside and out!
xo
kittee
Thanks Kittee! I’ll get there. Annie and I still communicate by email or text nearly every day so I’m probably not as forlorn as I sound 🙂
xx
Hopefully someone will bring or send you good food! Wishful thinking, I know but…Here’s to being off the sofa soon!. You’re an inspiration. Take care of yourself first!
My husband has been doing lots of the shopping and we’re just eating simply so all is well! Thanks so much Sue! xx
And here I thought perhaps I had offended you, which is easy to do as someone who blogs about animal rights.
Somer, take care of yourself. As someone who survived 2 bouts of cancer in 2010, healing, resting, listening to your body is important.
Also, if it wasn’t for you and your recipes, I’d have nothing to eat after working a 50-60 hour work week!
Haha! As if you could offend me. Nope just out of sorts Susan. I’ll be put back together again soon. I promise. There were several days (just because I’m a mom and I had to out of necessity) that I did to much with running errands and the like and I really paid for it. So I’m taking proper downtime and it’s paying off.
I’m glad you love my recipes! But please do check out Annie’s as well. She has many many oil free and healthful things on her blog. I love everything I’ve ever made of hers! 🙂
Thanks for setting my mind at ease. 🙂
Rest up and thanks for the tip. I have only just begun to explore Annie’s blog. She had sent me a seitan recipe that I’m going to make either today or tomorrow. The last time I tried to make seitan it was a disaster!
Best,
Susan 🙂
I’ve had a few seitan disasters myself. But give it a go! Annie’s stuff always turns out good!
The internet has allowed friendships to continue on in style where once, moving away would have been a death knell. Besties never lose what they share and you two are joined at the soul :). This month has been a bummer BUT you never know where next month is going to take you Sommer. We will all wait here patiently (like dogs waiting for a walk at the back door 😉 ) till you are good and ready to come back to us. Meanwhile, I am over to Annies to pinch those gorgeous recipes! I will be eatin’ that miso soup for dinner tonight :). “Cheer up old stick, it will be right as rain soon!” (that was my attempt to sound like Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins…you are forgive for not recognising my very BAD representation 😉 )
I love the Mary Poppins bit. I know I’ll be right back into things soon. Isn’t this little blogging community so lovely. I feel the friendship and know it’s real. You’ll love the miso soup! I did! xx
It’s sometimes actually easier to be more objective when you are miles away from your “friend” :). Glad you are seeing the bright side and that miso soup is going to make me smile tonight 🙂
Miso soup. The best comfort food there is (way better than chicken, I’d say). Even sitting there burning zero calories on your couch (perhaps you are not even burning any), you will always be my vegan foodie hero. Period, blog or no. See ya when ya get back, Chica. Enjoy your downtime and heal thyself! XX
PS — Don’t you think for a second I didn’t notice those PB cups you dangled as blog bait. Going over there now…
PPS — We are going on a road trip to CO, UT, ID, and WY this summer. Reservations are already made and the kids are geeked. I will keep you posted by email!
PPPS — Miss you!
Oh that miso soup was comforting! I’m feeling the no burning of calories thing. I think some of my brain waves are dying too. Sigh. Not one who likes sitting around, but I promise to be good!
Oh man, Annie’s chocolates are addictive. So many versions to try. I did one with cocoa butter instead of coconut oil and it tasted more like milk chocolate. Simply lovely.
I would love it if you popped through. I have a lovely guest room I can offer up for sure, but if you prefer a hotel, you at least have to stop in for dinner. That would be SO fun!
love and hugs! -Somer
Sending you an email with more details. Hugs. 🙂
Where’s my email? 😉
Ah, geez, I’ve had a sick at home, which cancelled a tennis match, and caused all sorts of other chaos here! I will type one this AM when I’m in the office (and with a non-touchscreen keyboard) where I can rip it out in seconds rather than minutes. LOL
Thanks for the rattle!
I’m sorry to hear about your injuries and couch-boundedness! I wish you a swift healing!
I went through a period after quitting my personal chef gig a few months ago where I was completely uninterested in food. I didn’t want to even look at food, let alone cook it! So I disappeared from the blog world/cooking world to recover. I returned refreshed after a little hiatus… So perhaps you will have a similar experience? I hope so because WE NEED YOU, SOMER! ; )
So take your time, get better, hurry up (no pressure! ), and when you are feeling well enough to love cooking and blogging again, you know we will all be here, waiting impatiently… I mean patiently! : )
I’m so glad I’m not the only one who’s experienced blog burnout. I was starting to feel a little guilty, but reading blogs right now feels like homework rather than the joy that it ought too. I know that sounds terrible, but I’m just not into it. I’m sure I’ll be refreshed soon. Thanks for the encouragement! xx
Well, you know I’ll be here, waiting for when you are back up to writing liek crazy, once again 🙂
Thanks Sarah- I’m positive that mood goes into cooking, so since I’ve been feeling a bit down, it’s hard to come up with anything good. We’ve been eating repeats, leftovers and simple stuff, certainly nothing blog worthy, but I’ll get back into it. I always do. xx
These look yum, but tut! At least you got me some quinoa! What classics have you been reading? The real ones, I hope? 😀
I’m a sucker for anything Jane Austen, Bronte sisters, Henry James, Elizabeth Gaskell and of course…. Charles Dickens. Though Vanity Fair and Moby Dick drove me to tears with boredom. I think those qualify as real classics. Re-reading Bleak House at the moment.
Yes, I got the quinoa out to you in between the sprained ankle and subsequent fall. It’s a good thing too. Otherwise it would still be sitting in my pantry!
Stepping back from blogging and taking time for yourself to heal, both emotionally and physically is understandable and necessary. The blog, and your readers, will be here when you are ready to return. Take care of yourself Somer.
I appreciate that so much. It’s a weird feeling to think you’re letting everyone down, when really there’s not a real obligation there… I cannot wait to literally be running again. My current injuries have kept me from training and I have a race on the horizon. I’m hoping that I won’t have to bow out and that even if I can’t run the whole thing, I’ll be able to walk run it.
I’ve been missing you Somer! Take good care of yourself and I hope you feel revitalised soon xxxx
Thanks Lucy, all these kind words have certainly lifted my spirits, even if they can’t heal injuries 🙂
A kind word from a friend (even just a blog friend!) can do wonders for the soul xx
I thought I hadn’t seen you around for a while, I hope you’re feeling better soon Somer. I understand your frustration, when I had my rib injury in October I was so annoyed that I couldn’t do anything!
Injuries are the worst! It’s hard to feel useful or do anything. I’m not used to being down and I admit, I’m not handling it as well as I ought. Need a little more grace 😉
Hi Somer – I’m so sorry to hear about you are not feeling great and that your friend moved away. Hang in there… your blogs are amazing and inspire so many!! You are a healer for others!! I’m sure when you do come back that you will be back with a vengeance….sometimes a slight retreat is the best way to heal and rejuvenate. Be well xox
Thanks Catherine. I felt inspired enough by the comments here to drag a post out of my draft archives! xx
You poor thing! Those are some drastic measures to take to get some time out on the couch – but I hope you get some rest and are back fighting fit soon. The food looks delicious – and those peanut butter cups – I might have to try something similar. Yum!
I think healing is taking its jolly good time, since I can’t really rest all day with 2 littles about. You won’t regret making the peanut butter cups if you get around to it!
I’m so sorry that you’re going through such a rough time, Somer. Take care of yourself and come back to us strong. I look forward to more of your inspiring posts once you are rested and healed.
Thanks so much Katie!
So sorry to hear you are injured and down in the dumps. Speedy recovery and I’m sure your mojo is on the way back – it’s humming along in this lovely accolade to your friend who inspires so many of us with her creative cooking… as do you. And you will again!
I guess the two shouldn’t necessarily go hand in hand, but I’m struggling. Plus I wear my heart on my sleeve, which maybe isn’t the best thing for my blogging career 😉 Mojo is returning though! Thanks!
Aww I hope you feel better soon Somer! I understand….blogging can be overwhelming at times. Hang in there! Nobody is going anywhere so take your time. All the food looks super yummy. I’ve been meaning to make some peanut butter cups since I’ve seen so many versions out there and they just look too darn easy not to! I’m liking the graham crackers you added to yours. Delish!!
Thanks Brandi! Try it with the graham crackers, you’d be surprised by how closely it mimics the taste and texture of reeses!
We will all be here. you take your time to rest and heal. Injuries suck. hope you feel better soon. hugs!!
I am stuck to the couch since the past 3 days and bored out of my wits. Maybe its time to find some other interesting hobbies that i can sit and do… like hand made pottery:)
Dangit. Maybe we need to take up knitting like Kittee. I can crochet, but not that great. Hope you are okay 😦 I’m mending. xx
I know what you are going through. I just have been feeling very bad myself & 2 weeks ago, I fell of the stairs in my home & my hubby was sick too. I lost my blog mojo too! 🙂
I am just back blogging agai after not doing that for 2 weeks! Plenty of energy again! 🙂 Get well soon, my dear friend! 🙂 xxx Kisses & hugs from your Belgian friend!
Glad to hear that you got your groove back! Sorry about your fall. That’s the worst! Thanks Sophie!
kisses! 🙂
I’d first like to say that I can recognize Cafe Rio food a mile away. Um, why is that THE best place to eat???
Okay, now that I got out of the way, I am sending you a HUGE hug via my computer, hopefully that it fills you with the love that I have for you. I’m so sorry, little bunny, that you haven’t been feeling well. Sending you tons of healing energy, friend! About the kitchen flops…preach on girl. I had 5 cupcake failures right before VDay so I ended up giving baking my middle finger. And about the blog mojo–yup! I totally get it. You are so loved though, so you go on with your mojo-less self. Do what you need to do and we will all be waiting here patiently until you get back. We are, after all, only returning the love, kindness, and support that you give to all of us. xoxo!!
Dude, Cafe Rio is the shiz! Feeling that giant hug my friend. Thanks for all your sweetness. Too bad we’re not neighbors. I could use some of your sweet treats right now too! 😉
Can we make that happen??? 😉
Be kind to yourself and tell yourself the things you would say to a good friend. You’re not letting us down – you’re taking care of you. Be well.
Perfect words. I just read the post on that on your blog. I needed to hear that. It’s hard to be injured and not be able to exercise or cook like I want to because I’m not 100%, but I’ll get there! xx
Before you know it! Hang in sister!
As bloggers, we all take a break once in awhile – it needs to be done sometimes!
Be well, heal, return when and if you want to…
Have a fantastic day!
Here here! Thanks Liseanne. xx
Oh Somer, my heart hurts to hear that you are not feeling yourself and a 100% well, I hope you fell like yourself sooner rather than later- and don’t worry, inspiration will come back, just give it time 🙂 ….January was a very uninspired month for me 😦 But February has been pretty inspiring 🙂 xoxo *hugs*
Thanks for the hugs Heather! I realize this post is super depressing. Sorry! I feel good things will be coming up! xx