going batty

This is the carrot cake that won me 2nd place in the dessert category at this year’s Halloween Party. It’s more picturesque than the chili that won me 3rd place in the chili cook-off, but I have to say, I was super proud of both! I’d even consulted a spice store while in Palm Springs and added some recommended spices to my arsenal…definitely made a big difference. And purchasing the edible bats and eyes is above and beyond what I would typically do when baking, so I do feel an extra satisfaction that my efforts were rewarded. With ADORABLE skeleton trophies, I might add. My favorite thing about both of these dishes though (besides the woman who told me it was the best carrot cake she’s ever had) was that I labeled my chili “Meat-Lovers Chipotle Chili,” even though it was actually vegetarian. And I still won 3rd…out of 15 chilis! Why did I do that? Partly because I loved the idea of fooling everyone into thinking they were eating real meat, but mostly because if I’d labeled it as a vegetarian chili, less people would have tried it, and the marks from the judges would have been lower. People would have insisted they could “tell” that the meat “didn’t seem normal,” when in reality, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL. This is fact. Do not disagree. I have a trophy on my side. I guess it’s just funny to me that this phenomenon even works, that knowing something can affect our perceptions so much. You’ll experience a vegetarian chili differently if you know it’s vegetarian than if you think it’s meat.

Oh and also, I have a book launch party date set. Woohoo!! Get ready for a fun time and a great new read in January!

Now go make some chili.