alexist

Yesterday, I baked a chocolate cake. It rose slightly, but not all the way, domed on top, and was totally dense. I thought something might be wrong with my baking powder as the can's a few months old, so I put a spoonful in some warm water. It fizzed. Hmm.

Tried it again today. I did it the same way I always do--I've made this recipe dozens of times with no problem. Rose a little more, but still not the right height. I'm very puzzled now (and annoyed: a waste of ingredients and I'm still craving chocolate like mad.)

I used to be a nail biter. My "cure" was to cut my nails short. I'd never been a long nails sort of girl anyway.

Well, recently I decided to grow my nails a bit. Still not going to have long nails--I type too much--but not so brutally cut-to-the-base short. There's now a measurable white strip at the end of each nail.

So now I'm trying to resist the urge to either cut them back to the quick or start biting them again (nasty habit, I know!) I'm chewing on the end of a pen (non-writing end, Papermate hard stick type) instead.