Mixed Plate: Whoopie for Being Thankful

Here's this sugar coma-inducing photo tantalizing you with the hopes of a recipe, and yet... that's not what this post is about. (Sorry -- but I promise if you stay tuned, more details about this Spice Cake Whoopie Pie will be revealed in coming weeks!) Instead, it's the week of Thanksgiving and I wanted to take a  moment to count my Wasabi Blessings on the eve of this holiday full of tasty flightless birds.

If you're thankful, say: WHOOPIEEEE!!!! - Photo by Wasabi Prime

I was a flightless bird myself, almost a year ago to the date. Working in the corporate world as an art director, but in furlough, anticipating the next boring corporate ship I'd have to jump upon. Able to enjoy a nice paycheck, but unable to look my creative self in the eye and say, "You've been meandering around the planet for how long and this is all you have to show for yourself? For a Wasabi, you're awfully bland." Ouch. Sad, but true.You make personal sacrifices because it makes sense to do the sensible thing, but after a while you're slow to realize how much of that cubicled existence drives you into a fugue state. You forget that really crucial question, which is, "Where did your happy place go?" I had no lofty dreams behind Wasabi Prime beyond creating a space to put creative efforts in that weren't dictated by work peers or inane meetings about "can we just make the logo bigger?" And the blog manifested into the little lighthouse (blue canary included) to guide through a fog of uncertainty. I was lucky to have precious friends, family and yes, YOU, THE READERS, SUPPORTERS, RANDOM SPAMBOTS who have made a connection and give me inspiration and the reminder that happiness can be as simple as being able to just putter along doing the things that bring us joy.

And so a year later, I've made a go of it, freelancing as a graphic designer, illustrator, food writer and photographer. It isn't easy. I'm full of doubt and concern every month, hoping I hit my goal of just being able to pay the bills. There's been lifestyle changes, to be sure -- insert joke about revoked Fur Coat/Yacht of the Month Club membership here. And yet each penny is worth its ounce of worry, because you become so much more appreciative for every little thing. I realize the greatest luxury is time. I take note of the change of seasons. I walk the dog. I have a more flexible schedule to see family. These are my thankful things, the quiet moments after so many years of noise. While I don't know what the future holds, I am thankful for the ability to find some peace in the present, even if it's as simple as making giant spice cake whoopie pies filled with a ridiculous amount of butter cream filling.

The Zen of Baking. And Butter. - Photos by Wasabi Prime