learning to see.

in shades.

in values.

i'll start living in color again someday.

glare.

Fall is beautiful--both in color and black & white.

been busy.

Somewhere between starting a new part-time job and enrolling in my first-ever photography class, the pace of life has picked up dramatically over here.  No longer do I have those sacred mornings-afternoons to myself.  No more can I consider myself a completely free agent.

Having spent this past year solely teaching piano lessons in the evenings, I've gotten used to living slowly and adjusting my schedule according to my own wants and desires.  I had gotten used to mornings without the alarm.  Taking a leisurely walk before taking a shower.  Cooking a delicious breakfast every day and eating outside whilst reading a good book.  Talking to my mom every morning at 9:30am as she drove to work.

Those days are gone.

I'm in the midst of a small time of mourning.  Being a perfectionist is stressful when you're put into a completely new situation with completely new tasks for completely new people.  But I'm starting to get used to things and can hopefully feel really good about it.

Besides that, I just started a Black & White film photography class at the University of the Arts here in Philly.   I've been spending what little free time I now have shooting with the Holga 120N (though the above photo is digital).  I'm excited to get into the darkroom and to start learning about the whole film process.  It's going to be completely new territory and I can't wait to get into it!

So, here's to being busy.  Or making extra money.

Or to plastic cameras.

Or something.

Double Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies (Grain-Free)

While the rest of the Paleo-community is taking part in the Primal Blueprint 30-day Challenge or giving up sugar for a year, Christopher & I are right here going against the grain and indulging in rich & yummy goodness.  It's not that we wouldn't like to be better, healthier people or anything.... we're just weak human beings.  As much as we try to put those cravings out of our minds, we somehow end up with these amazing homemade desserts on our plates.  Last week, we made the most delicious Carrot Cake ever, another batch of Iced Ginger Chai, and Gluten-Free Bread.

We're having trouble keeping ourselves under control over here.

The Carrot Cake disappeared in a matter of days (doesn't everyone love having cake for breakfast?) and although we made these Double-Chocolate Cookies just a few days ago, I should admit that they're already long gone.

To their credit, however, they are grain-free.  (When you can make such amazing & delicious desserts with almond flour... why on earth would you ever use regular flour again?)


Double-Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

• 3 cups Blanched almond flour
• 1/4 cup Cacao powder
• 1/2 cup Virgin coconut oil, unrefined
• 1/2 cup Maple syrup
• 2 Eggs
• 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
• 1 tsp. Baking Soda
• 1 tsp. Salt
• 1 1/2 cups 72% (or higher) dark chocolate chunks/chips
• 1 cup Macadamia nuts

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Combine dry ingredients in a medium size mixing bowl.
3. In a small mixing bowl beat eggs, maple syrup, and vanilla extract with a hand mixer.
4. Pour wet ingredients into dry and beat with hand mixer until combined.
5. Melt coconut oil, pour into batter, and continue to blend until combined.
6. Stir in chocolate and nuts.
7. On a parchment lined baking sheet, drop balls of cookie dough, about a tablespoon in size.
8. Bake for 15 minutes.
9. Let cool.
10. Grab a glass of almond milk (or a cup of coffee) and enjoy!

Have a happy weekend everyone!