Thursday, March 22, 2012

Yes, I Do Want to Win

After planning to focus on something besides illustrated recipes, they announced a big contest on They Draw and Cook. I entered two illustrations and thought I’d do what I always do - keep quiet about it. That way I could: A) not jinx it; and B) pretend it didn’t really matter anyway.

I’m questioning the value of this strategy. I’m pretty sure I’ve never swayed an outcome by keeping my mouth shut, or felt better by lying to myself. I conclude that this strategy stinks. So for the record, let me state that I would really prefer to win.

To say the last few years have been tough is an understatement. I’m ready for good news. I fantasize about what I’d do with the prize money. This mama needs a spa day. Should my treatments involve hot rocks or some form of wax? Could I actually treat my family to dinner someplace that doesn’t have freakish cartoon mascots? And let’s face it - Mama would really like to feel accomplished at something other than knowing forty-something ways to prepare potatoes.

If you’re interested, you can follow the link to browse through the Kraft Foods contest entries. New entries are added daily. No doubt I’ll be checking back regularly to recalculate my odds of winning. Doesn’t everyone do that?

If I don’t get a mention, I’ll probably go into the kind of slump that has me licking peanut butter laced with chocolate chips off a spoon while questioning my direction in life. Then I’ll get over it, and move on to the next thing.

So whatever happens, it’ll be okay.

But it would really be so much better if I win.

Friday, March 2, 2012

Marzipan Recipe


I noticed I get a lot of traffic to my blog, particularly in the springtime, for a recipe I posted years ago for Marzipan Easter Eggs. Since it seems to be a popular one, I decided to illustrate it for They Draw and Cook. It turned out to be as much fun drawing and coloring the eggs as it is to roll and shape them out of edible clay!

Click on the following link to see the entire illustrated marzipan recipe.

My original blog post, with photos of the finished confections, can be seen here.

If you have any special Easter or springtime traditions, I'd love to here about them!