Well Smokey is on the road, so I will write the first post. Should I introduce myself , tell my story, blah blah blah, no I will tell you of my afternoon plans here on the prairie. I will be making koulourakia for the 3rd time in under a week. First batch was too dense, the second not sweet enough, this time they will be good enough to give out as gifts.

I just got a picture from Smokey, a shot of these gorgeous pastries in Paris. She mocks me, it is torture. I sit here making bad cookies, whilst she nibbles tartes and sips cafe au lait with accordion music in the background. Hmmf

Refocus, I am going to get out my stand mixer and rock these Greek Easter butter cookies! They will be light crunchy and sweet. I am going to use real vanilla beans. Might seem extravagant, but seems as though the locals here do not know what to do with them, so they are on sale at the one good supermarket in town. I bought several jars. To complete my task I am using a combination of experience from 2 botched attempts (priceless), a recipe I found online (useless) and an extensive phone interview with my Thia (confusing). Wish me luck!