Literary Reading and Bake Sale

Downtown Nacogdoches is magical at night. Quiet and empty, save an occasional musical note escaping from a loft, a close-by bar, or even a name shouted in the half dark by a drunken soul. The bricked streets and old buildings are enveloped by a pale glowing light. There are a couple of alleyways, narrow and gloomy, and the names of the people who have donated to the city of Nacogdoches are often carved on the bricked paths making one fear that their ghosts come to life at night.



Morning Glory Yoga is located downtown in an old brick building and it is a haven. Not only because yoga practice is wonderful, but because Amy, the owner (pictured below), is always hosting charity events that highlight Yoga practices, but also, as in this case, the arts.



It was a beautiful evening filled with knowing words, carefully stringed together; fleeting and heavy thoughts that reminded one of a beauty that is beyond the material; lovely people who listened and read and who, in the midst of the sugar rush and tea, were able to add a bit more magic to this little town. It is times like these that make me thankful to live here. People make places personal, they make time memorable, and they give grace to our lives.



I attempted three different recipes for this evening and the third time I made something that tasted good. These Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies were smooth, buttery, and soft. I made a few changes that I have noted in the recipe below.





The bake sale table was overflowing with delicious treats. People feasted on the abundance and the proceeds from the sale were donated to the Nacogdoches Animal Shelter. As I mentioned here, I read a short creative non-fiction piece. It went well.



Bryan also read a short story that I loved about Thelonius Fetch, who could teleport his stomach to the cargo bay of an airplane, and could also teleport his love into Darla’s (his companion) heart. He is a genius!



Chrissy read a short story about a correspondence between a trapped woman who had accepted her circumstances, and a free-spirited, adventurous translator. So many levels to it and beautifully written.



Caitlin read some excellent poetry. I am always impressed with people who write poetry well. I never can.

There were other readers, but for more on the event take a look at the Morning Glory Yoga Blog.



Also, a little puppy was in attendance, whose name was Maggie, if you asked David and Amy, or Frida (my favorite) if you asked Chrissy. I wish we could have adopted him. We became good friends. He is the cutest, so if you want a puppy, let me know. I know just the one. I hope you all are having a lovely weekend.



Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies with Pecans and Walnuts

Ingredients:

3 cups flour
2 cups peanut butter
1/2 cup oil
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 cup mixed walnuts and pecans

Demerara sugar for dipping.

Preparation:

-Preheat oven to 400 F.
-Mix all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
-Form dough into little 1 ½ inch balls. On a lightly floured surface, using the bottom of a small cup press the dough balls down until they are ½ inch in thickness.*
-Dip the tops of the cookies in demerara sugar.
-Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.**
-Let them cool on the cookie sheet before removing them because they will be very brittle and crumbly when hot.

*You can also use the palms of your hands to press the dough balls.
**In order to prevent the bottom of the cookies from burning, I place the cookie sheet on top of another one before putting the cookies in the oven.

-E.