Elusive Ink

Currently Listening
You and I Both
Jason Mraz



Just a few more weeks and I can spill all of my exciting news, and I cannot wait. So many new things unfolding in my life, and I feel like God is leading me towards this spectacular adventure. He's closed a lot of doors for me in the past few months, which is never easy - but has also opened my heart to begin to make new connections and form new relationships, as well as grow closer to the people in my life I adore.

I have recently connected with several local women who I am slowly beginning to build friendships with, which excites me because (as usual) God is bringing the right relationships into my life at the right times. Just as some of my prior friendships have dissolved, and my closest girlfriend is moving to Japan.

I'm going to my first knitting group meetup this weekend, and while "knitting group" immediately conjured up thoughts of 80+ women sitting around in rocking chairs knitting granny squares. I have been assured that this is not the case, they meet at a local hot-spot, and there's women of all ages. I'm super excited. It combines four of my favorite things: Wegman, Sushi, Coffee, and Knitting. :D

I also have two fantastic workout partners (one who prefers regular gym workouts, and one who was looking for someone to share sporadic hikes, bike-rides, and outdoor running) and am really enjoying connecting with both of them, and finding ways to fellowship as well as continue to build a healthier lifestyle.

My art is blossoming (slowly) and I am continuing to find my artistic voice, as well as to network and try to find more publicity, and decide what my "specialty" is going to be. That is the most impossible-seeming part, deciding what to "specialize" in, and which mediums to retire into hobby status. It's been a struggle to really dive back into it with abandon, and there's still something that I'm "missing." My work is still very predictable, and elicits that "oh, nice" reaction that I dread so vehemently. So, I'm branching out, trying to really find my own style.
Ultimately, I am an abstract painter. I don't think that I'm quite ready to admit that, yet, though. We'll see how it goes.

Well...before I sign off, I thought I'd post this recipe for anyone who reads this or would want to try it. It was quite a crowd-pleaser, and surprisingly simple to make. I think I used, two bowls, a wooden spoon, and a food processor.

No-Sugar Spiced Banana-Carrot Cake

Flour Mixture:
2 c. flour
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. white *stevia powder
2 tsp. baking powder

Carrot Mixture:
2 c. shredded carrot (I pulverize mine in the food processor.)
1 c. crushed pineapple (I throw this in the food processor, as well.)
** 1/2 c. walnuts or pecans
1/2 c. almond meal
1 1/2 c. shredded coconut

Oil Mixture:
3 eggs
1/2 c. oil
1/2 c. fruit juice (from the crushed pineapple can, if you're using canned)
1 very ripe, smashed banana
1/4 c. unsweetened applesauce

Pour the carrot mixture into the egg mixture and mix well. Add flour mixture to the rest of the ingredients. Bake at 350º for 1 hour, in a springform or bundt pan.

Sugar-Bearing Cream Cheese Glaze

Obviously this part is optional, but it sure does add a lot to the recipe! I didn't have powdered sugar, so I ran some Turbinado I did have through the food processor, which worked okay, but next time I will make a point of getting powdered sugar.

Glaze

4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine with electric mixer until smooth, spread on hot cake.

You could also sprinkle chopped nuts on the top after the glaze as as a garnish. Enjoy!

Notes on this recipe:

* This is optional, but it will make it notably sweeter. You can usually find stevia powder at health food stores, and I think they sell a stevia blend at target called "Truvia" but I can't vouch for it's similarity. You could also use agave nectar, I haven't tried it but I am fairly certain it would work similarly.

**Okay, so call me a pulverizing fool, but my 13 year old brother has braces, so I put the walnuts in the food processor, too, and made a walnut meal out of it. I would recommend going ahead and doing this, and adding extra chopped nuts if you want chunks of nuts in your cake.