To be, or not to be? That is the question.
But for real. That is the question of my blogging life right now. Should I be writing about kids, parenting, and family as much as I have been or should I just focus on food related material in my writing? I have been struggling with this even before Andy was born.
My blog has always been about telling you funny stories from my life and then relating that story or memory to the recipe I created. Before Andy was born, I thought, “I don’t want this blog to become a mommy blog. I want it to still be a food blog.”
Let me tell you, that is harder to separate these days.
I loooooove boring you all with my weird stories from my day to day life and for the most part, I think you like hearing them. Now that I have Andy, most days and stories revolve around him. Not that I cannot come up with other things to talk about, just give me a second to wipe the baby spit up off my shirt and I will be able to get in the right head-space. I just worry that if I turn into one of thoooose people that can only talk about my child, part of me (this blog) will die. If you have seen my Instagram you know this metamorphosis is already happening.
I know that may sound stupid to most of you. I spent a long time in my life trying to figure out what I should be doing, what I wanted to do. Once I fell into this whole blogging thing, I fell in love. I worked hard, using the mantra Mike taught me, to create my “brand.” I shared funny, embarrassing, and heartfelt stories that all related to food memories.
Then I got pregnant and I fell into a gray area. People who don’t have kids don’t want to hear about kids all the time. I get it. I used to be like that. I never want anybody who visits this site to feel excluded or like my yarns are not relatable. I began to juggle my online life with my real life. I held back some things I really wanted to write about out of fear of losing readers.
Now my blog has become something that isn’t genuine and I have been feeling kind of sad about that.
However, my perspective kind of shifted after spending a week taking care of my sick little two month old. He just had a fancy name for a really bad cold, but still, it was not fun to see him suffer and struggle and not be able to help him. Suddenly the blog took a backseat. I didn’t even think twice about the two posts I was supposed to share on Monday and Wednesday. I didn’t think about Pinterest, Twitter, or Facebook. (I did stay up on Instagram because I am kind of addicted to it.) I sort of forgot about you guys, which I am sorry for, but it was for a good reason.
I realized that my life is different now compared to when I started this site. I am about to turn 30. I have a baby. In order to stay true to this site and sacred space I created, I have to include those parts of me. I will be sad if I lose some of you free-wheeling-kid-free-going-out-every-weekend-twenty-somethings (cherish it) over talking about kids and mommyhood, but I understand. I promise this site will not be all baby poop and sleep schedule talk because there is more to me than just that I am a mom.
I mean, we all grow up and evolve and it was stupid of me to think I could keep this site from doing the same thing. I hope you are excited for the next chapter of Sarcastic Cooking and where this blog is going. If you aren’t…. well, you can go suck a lemon. Or a lemon, a grapefruit, and an orange for that matter.
See, still brought it all back to food!
Oh! And since this is the time of year to enjoy all this pucker power citrus, check out some of these delicious citrus packed desserts from some of my favorite bloggers.
This Clementine and Vanilla Bean Yogurt Cake from Rachel Cooks is so moist and flavorful.
I am all about these Lemon Coconut Crinkle Cookies from Chocolate Moosey.
I want these Grapefruit Glazed Cake Doughnuts from Bakeaholic Mama delivered to my house every morning.
And finally who doesn’t love a good sprinkle cookie? These from Keep It Sweet have meyer lemon in them.
Triple Citrus Bars
Ingredients
- For the Crust:
- 1 Cup All-Purpose Flour
- 1/3 Cup Granulated Sugar
- ¼ Teaspoon Salt
- 8 Tablespoons Cold Unsalted Butter cut into cubes, plus extra for greasing
- For the Filling:
- 1 Small/Medium Sized Lemon
- 1/2 Grapefruit
- 1/2 Orange
- 1 1/3 Cups Granulated Sugar
- 8 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter cubed
- 4 Large Eggs
- 2 Tablespoons Cornstarch
- ¼ Teaspoon Salt
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
-
Grease an 8-inch square pan with butter, line with parchment paper, and then grease the parchment. Set off to the side for later.
-
Add the flour, sugar, and salt to a large mixing bowl, whisk to combine. Using a pastry blender, work the chunks of cold butter into the flour mixture until the mixture is powdery but firm if pinched. Or use a food processor to blend until the dough will hold its shape if pinched.
-
Add the crumbs to the prepared pan. Press the dough into the pan until it is one even layer. Bake the crust for 10 minutes. Remove pan, using a fork, poke holes all along the crust, and then return to the oven. Bake for another ten minutes until barely golden. When done, remove from oven and allow to slightly cool, keeping the oven on.
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While the crust bakes, make the filling. Zest the entire lemon, grapefruit half, and orange half. Cut the tops and bottoms off of the lemon so that there are two flat ends. Place the lemon cut side down and then cut away the remaining pith (white part) of the lemon. Cut the lemon into slices, remove any seeds, and then add it to a blender or food processor. Do the same for the orange and grapefruit. Pulse until thoroughly pureed.
-
Add the butter and puree until smooth and combined, scraping down the sides as needed. Add eggs, cornstarch, and salt. Pulse in short bursts until evenly combined.
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Pour the lemon mixture on to the baked and slightly cooled crust. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until barely light brown on top.
-
Cool completely in the pan. Cut into 16 squares and then dust lightly with powdered sugar if you want a nice finishing touch.
Jennie @themessybakerblog
February 11, 2014 at 9:10 amGirl, you have to do you, and that means being real. You have an Andy now, and he’s a huge part of your life, so you should talk about that. Mommy stories are funny, too. I don’t have kids, but I don’t mind hearing about them. Do I need a post about how to change a diaper? Um, no. But combining food and baby sounds reasonable. These bars look gooey and amazing.
Amy
February 9, 2014 at 7:08 pmGirl, just roll with it.
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/77053843599122203/
: )
See what I did there?
xo-Amy
Jill
February 9, 2014 at 5:40 pmNot sure if it’s just my computer, but the measurements for the granulated sugar just shows as a question mark. What are the measurements?
Stefanie
February 9, 2014 at 6:01 pmFor the filling it is 1 1/3 cup sugar. And 1/3 cup for the crust.
Cate @ Chez CateyLou
February 9, 2014 at 5:35 pmThese bars look amazing! I love all the citrus flavors that you used in there. So bright and fresh!
julia
February 8, 2014 at 8:39 amI am a sucker for lemon bars but triple citrus bars–these sound even more delicious! Hope you are doing well and enjoying your little one!
Helen @ Scrummy Lane
February 8, 2014 at 1:36 amHello, Stefani! Great blog! (newish to me!) I totally agree with most of the above commenters. You have to ‘be you’ and write what flows, otherwise your blog will become more hard work than it is supposed to be. When your child is older, the blog will probably morph again, and I think that’s just fine because it will probably happen to all of us in different ways as we grow older and our lives move on
laurasmess
February 6, 2014 at 11:27 pmThese look absolutely delicious!!! I am a huge lover of citrus desserts so this recipe is going directly into my ‘bookmarks’ for weekend baking. Love your blog just as it is, but I guess… this space is ‘yours’ to define as life evolves and changes. I treat mine like a bit of a scrapbook, it’s got a bit of everything x
Stephie @ EYHO
February 6, 2014 at 9:45 pmYou just be you. That’s all I want. Mmk? Well, and a citrus bar. Truth.
Sadye
February 6, 2014 at 4:22 pmWhat I’ve noticed about bloggers who have babies is that those who are annoying mommy bloggers were annoying before they were mommies
Keep delivering the sarcasm and tasty food, and whatever comes with it is fine by me!
Susan
February 6, 2014 at 4:18 pmI will still love you as long as Weezer gets his due justice and you make more these.
Rachel Cooks
February 6, 2014 at 2:01 pmLove these citrus bars — wow! And I love blogs that talk about baby poop and sleep schedules. And food. Keep doing what you’re doing.
And thank you for the link!!! xo
Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe
February 6, 2014 at 12:55 pmWell I am most certainly staying put, ’cause I love your stories (whether they have to do with Andy or not) and I love your recipes. These triple citrus bars were seriously made for me. They are so pretty, and I bet they taste spectacular too!
Susan
February 6, 2014 at 12:49 pmI think we just like you – whichever you you are the day you write. Being a mommy just adds another layer.
Ashleigh
February 6, 2014 at 10:58 amI think you’re such a great story teller, write about whatever you want! It does become hard to not talk about kids, especially when you are a new Mom. I think you will find many new Mom fans, as well as keeping your OGs.
PS- I just turned 30 last month, it’s not so bad. I have been losing my keys a bit more though!
These bars would last about 2 hours in this house!
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough
February 6, 2014 at 10:54 amMaybe my opinion is a little slanted because I’m about to be in the same poopy diaper-filled mommy journey, but I also just really believe that you need to write about what life is for you. If that’s spit-ups and baby coos amid delicious triple citrus bars, FINE. Don’t hide who you are, my dear. If readers can’t jive with that, then they aren’t supportive of who you are as a blogger and a mama. And ain’t nobody got time for those people.
Hugs, friend! Also, gimme all of those bars.
Kayle (The Cooking Actress)
February 6, 2014 at 9:13 amI think you are absolutely right to have the blog grow with you! And you know I’ll still be here–I love hearing about little Andy and you being a mom
I hope the little guy is feeling better!
Maggie @ A Bitchin' Kitchen
February 6, 2014 at 9:08 amI’m glad you plan to continue talking about kids and family stuff! I’m about to turn 30 as well, and even though I’m a few years away from starting a family myself, I love reading about the experiences of people my age and mentally filing away their wisdom for later
Also, I want these bars in my life. It’s been far too long since I’ve baked anything citrus-y!
Candy Charters
February 6, 2014 at 8:49 amStefanie, do not change one thing! I LOVE hearing about your life, in addition to your wonderful recipes (btw, made the Ham and Egg Quesadilla for dinner earlier this week…killer!!). Baby Andy (adorable!) is part of your life and he should naturally be part of your blog, just like Weezer is. I’ll tell you – I’m 61 years old, and never had kids of my own. But I’ve loved my nieces and nephews and friends’ babies with all my heart. And we have a cat we adore (and spoil rotten…fortunately, he’ll soon have a sister cat, who will probably be equally spoiled), so I get the whole “pet as baby” thing. So don’t change a thing – we love you just as you are!!
Blair's Head Band
February 6, 2014 at 8:44 amI’m new-ish to your blog but have been blogging at mine for a little over two years now. I’m having similar “what now?” feelings. The story I set out to tell is either over or I don’t want to share it publicly any longer (now married, now a step-mother, now strongly cemented in my career). It almost feels like a break up — “we’ve changed, we’ve grown apart!”-type feelings are permeating everything.
Long story short – you do you. You want to talk about babies (specifically your baby)? Do you. You want to talk about food? Do you. (And definitely do both because babies are scrumptious, as are your recipes).
xx