A friend and I (mid 60s and early 70s) were talking the other day about how weird/hard/surprising it is to be "old" and invisible and to be those people who we used to believe were so out of touch with the world. All the weirdness of it. We decided we needed t-shirts that said: weirdly old. I fluctuate between your hippo photo and twirling around in all my "I don't give a damn" weirdness...al.ost daily.
I'm a woman who is 71 years old and was never considered "pretty" at any age (although my daughter was looking through my high school yearbook a few years back and, spontaneously, told me I was pretty but probably not appreciated at the time). Luckily I'm on the autism spectrum and have never cared what anyone thought about my looks or my intelligence or my other talents. I would never purchase a cookbook because the author was young and pretty. "Young" tells me they lack real world experience and "pretty" is irrelevant. I'm not surprised that a man said this as they do tend to place way too much emphasis on both, but only when it comes to women, and they either enjoy the "teasing" insults or are oblivious with no filter. I have nothing against this unknown woman and wish her well, but I know that you're very experienced in the kitchen and very truthful about the cooking experience. I love the tips (rubbing the zest into the sugar - who knew) and the ingredient options. I'm also Irish through and through so no ricotta and olive oil cakes growing up but I will be adding this to my "to do" list because I trust you when you say it'll taste good.
Oh no! Let's see. When I have an issue with a recipe, I put it through a diagnostic test, like a car mechanic might. We'll assume measurements were all good (did you use cups or grams?), oven was a good temperature, pan was 9", and blackberries were fresh not frozen (I didn't stipulate you use one or the other, just checking)...I've gotten a lot of positive feedback on this recipe from others, so we know the recipe works in places other than my kitchen, so I'm going to assume the method I suggested for testing for done-ness wasn't good enough in all cases. Along with the toothpick test, I will add the finger touch test to the directions. In other words: When you gently touch the center of the cake, it should bounce back and not leave an indentation. Thank you for the heads up. And thank you for trying so diligently! Feel free to DM me with more q's.
No one else has a writing voice -- and killer recipes -- like you!! I struggle with this daily, as a choreographer who teaches people how to do what I, at this point, struggle to do on my 54-year-old knees. On bad days, that's the voice I hear. On good days, I'm excited to share my experience, to teach them new things, to help them look their best and to enjoy my wonderful collaborators and the creative process. Wishing you lots of good, creative days ahead!
This cake looks so moist, almost chewy and I feel as if I can smell the lemon... adore lemon. As a former pastry chef, I L O V E dessert. Years ago I had a tee shirt with the inscription, "Life is uncertain eat dessert first."
The cake recipe sounds divine and I look forward to making it myself. With regard to the thoughtless baffoonery you were subjected to; I feel you. Try to remember what our mothers taught us and consider the source. Also, do not accept criticism from someone whose opinion means nothing to you. OR just say, “f$&k you under your breath and walk away. Both work remarkably well. Sending hugs.
How could ANYONE write a cookbook JUST LIKE YOU? That is a nonsensical statement. That stunning young cookbooker is writing her own thing, based on her Millennial perspective. YOU are YOU and we want all of your delectable recipes and witty repartee gathered in a book! YES, PLEASE!
P.S. I am not one for writing in all caps and now I'm exhausted. However, it was worth it if I made my point!
Lidia Bastianich & Ina Garten are my Sheros. Young and pretty means what exactly? Not as much experience? Gets a pass/credit for something she did not work to accomplish. that American culture values young & pretty over wise & experienced may be in part why Americans are repeatedly short-changed. There’s one born every minute. And your “friend” has probably been hoodwinked more than once. I was pretty. I used to watch guys like they were TV shows: boring, outrageous, clueless. Women didn’t like/trust me?
No cookbook you are excited about can possibly fail. 1- because your recipes are top flight and 2- because you really make people laugh with up to the minute humor. The guy who responded to your new cookbook idea is worried about looking old.
I hope your heart is filled to overflowing with all the supportive, kind, and truthful comments above!!!!! I’ll be first in line to buy your cookbook!!! I’m 67, and I truly believe that we “mature” women have a wealth of life experience and wisdom to share!! 💝
A friend and I (mid 60s and early 70s) were talking the other day about how weird/hard/surprising it is to be "old" and invisible and to be those people who we used to believe were so out of touch with the world. All the weirdness of it. We decided we needed t-shirts that said: weirdly old. I fluctuate between your hippo photo and twirling around in all my "I don't give a damn" weirdness...al.ost daily.
I'm a woman who is 71 years old and was never considered "pretty" at any age (although my daughter was looking through my high school yearbook a few years back and, spontaneously, told me I was pretty but probably not appreciated at the time). Luckily I'm on the autism spectrum and have never cared what anyone thought about my looks or my intelligence or my other talents. I would never purchase a cookbook because the author was young and pretty. "Young" tells me they lack real world experience and "pretty" is irrelevant. I'm not surprised that a man said this as they do tend to place way too much emphasis on both, but only when it comes to women, and they either enjoy the "teasing" insults or are oblivious with no filter. I have nothing against this unknown woman and wish her well, but I know that you're very experienced in the kitchen and very truthful about the cooking experience. I love the tips (rubbing the zest into the sugar - who knew) and the ingredient options. I'm also Irish through and through so no ricotta and olive oil cakes growing up but I will be adding this to my "to do" list because I trust you when you say it'll taste good.
BE BRAVE AND DO YOUR COOKBOOK. IT WILL NOT BE THE SAME AS THE OTHER PERSON'D AND I AM GUESSING MOST OF YUR SUBSCRIBERS WILL WANT IT!
As a woman of a certain age, I'd also love to buy your cookbook. I'd also love it if you titled it "Whoa is me." 🙂
Help! I’ve made this twice and both times passed the toothpick test but center was an underdone custard’s consistency.
The proprrlybbsked edges were delicious though!
I used blackberries and lime- smelled like summer…
Oh no! Let's see. When I have an issue with a recipe, I put it through a diagnostic test, like a car mechanic might. We'll assume measurements were all good (did you use cups or grams?), oven was a good temperature, pan was 9", and blackberries were fresh not frozen (I didn't stipulate you use one or the other, just checking)...I've gotten a lot of positive feedback on this recipe from others, so we know the recipe works in places other than my kitchen, so I'm going to assume the method I suggested for testing for done-ness wasn't good enough in all cases. Along with the toothpick test, I will add the finger touch test to the directions. In other words: When you gently touch the center of the cake, it should bounce back and not leave an indentation. Thank you for the heads up. And thank you for trying so diligently! Feel free to DM me with more q's.
No one else has a writing voice -- and killer recipes -- like you!! I struggle with this daily, as a choreographer who teaches people how to do what I, at this point, struggle to do on my 54-year-old knees. On bad days, that's the voice I hear. On good days, I'm excited to share my experience, to teach them new things, to help them look their best and to enjoy my wonderful collaborators and the creative process. Wishing you lots of good, creative days ahead!
The “friend” who told you about the upcoming cookbook and the young, pretty author, is not a friend.
One word: TOWANDA!!!
https://youtu.be/lx0z9FjxP-Y
This cake looks so moist, almost chewy and I feel as if I can smell the lemon... adore lemon. As a former pastry chef, I L O V E dessert. Years ago I had a tee shirt with the inscription, "Life is uncertain eat dessert first."
I love lemon so, I added lemon.
Both are delicious
The cake recipe sounds divine and I look forward to making it myself. With regard to the thoughtless baffoonery you were subjected to; I feel you. Try to remember what our mothers taught us and consider the source. Also, do not accept criticism from someone whose opinion means nothing to you. OR just say, “f$&k you under your breath and walk away. Both work remarkably well. Sending hugs.
At 35 I all of a sudden am more aware of aging and all of its... strangeness. Please continue on with the cookbook. I would love to buy it!!!!!!
How could ANYONE write a cookbook JUST LIKE YOU? That is a nonsensical statement. That stunning young cookbooker is writing her own thing, based on her Millennial perspective. YOU are YOU and we want all of your delectable recipes and witty repartee gathered in a book! YES, PLEASE!
P.S. I am not one for writing in all caps and now I'm exhausted. However, it was worth it if I made my point!
I doubt I'll make this particular cake, but I don't need it. Your sweet vulnerability fills me up. xo
Lidia Bastianich & Ina Garten are my Sheros. Young and pretty means what exactly? Not as much experience? Gets a pass/credit for something she did not work to accomplish. that American culture values young & pretty over wise & experienced may be in part why Americans are repeatedly short-changed. There’s one born every minute. And your “friend” has probably been hoodwinked more than once. I was pretty. I used to watch guys like they were TV shows: boring, outrageous, clueless. Women didn’t like/trust me?
No cookbook you are excited about can possibly fail. 1- because your recipes are top flight and 2- because you really make people laugh with up to the minute humor. The guy who responded to your new cookbook idea is worried about looking old.
I hope your heart is filled to overflowing with all the supportive, kind, and truthful comments above!!!!! I’ll be first in line to buy your cookbook!!! I’m 67, and I truly believe that we “mature” women have a wealth of life experience and wisdom to share!! 💝
Because we actually do.