Monday, December 20, 2010

Simple Happiness

I find that little kids can find happiness and amusement out of the littlest things. Even things that we adults see as boring... like toilet paper....


Toilet paper, to a two year old, is apparently a great way to entertain yourself while your sibling is being fed. 
Gotta love it!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

My Thing

Everyone has there own "thing" that they turn to when they just need to relax and enjoy themselves. For some, it's a good book, others a bubble bath. There are a few who might turn to shopping, driving, or watching a movie. For me, it's baking. There is something so relaxing and refreshing about baking. From the point of making sure you have all the ingredients to the point of eating that super tasty...and probably very fattening... morsel that you just created.
I am not an amazing baker by any means, but I think that the end products are usually quite tasty. Today, I made cream cheese sugar cookie cutouts (courtesy of my cousin's recipes) and mint chocolate delights (courtesy of a nestle's dark chocolate & mint chip bag). I am not the most organized cook, it's one of the areas of my life that I appear to be unorganized and chaotic in. But, it seems to work for me, so why attempt to change it?
I was rather messy today. But then again, who isn't messy when working with cocoa powder and flour? Let's just say, one should not use the electric hand mixer to blend cocoa powder with eggs and butter! The cocoa powder is close to the same fluffiness as flour, and I know that it's better to mix flour in by hand. Why I didn't think of that when using the cocoa powder? I have no clue!
Looking back at all my times of baking, I have come to see a pattern. Many late nights have been spent listening to music and making a mess of the kitchen. I get so excited about it that I feel like a little kid again (maybe that's why I'm more apt to make a mess!).
This weekend I have a whole list of cookies that I'm going to make, and I can't wait!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Can You Say....Obsessive?!

I have often declared myself OCD and ADD. When it comes to having things cleaned and organized, I have a certain way that I want it and need it done in. I think I got my obsessive cleanliness from my mom. She was always cleaning the house and even though she takes care of kids all day, the house is always neat and tidy. I remember her always sweeping or mopping at night. She also always had a tendency to rearrange furniture. Practically every month she would rearrange the living room and the den. 
I have lived in my apartment for 5 months now, and I have reorganized my closet twice, linens twice, living room 3 times and am currently rearranging furniture in my bedroom. When I was back home, I would have my mom help me because I am bad at envisioning what things would look like before it's finished. Now that I live on my own, it's all trial and error. I have moved my bed and dresser around and have yet to figure out how I like it. So, my bed is currently in very middle of my room and my dresser is in front of my closet. I am currently experiencing a mental block as to where I should put things. 
I am enjoying moving everything around though, but I'm pretty sure that my fellow apartment dwellers don't exactly share that same enjoyment. 
Oh well... off to experiment again!

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Holiday Sweet Tooth

I have a soft spot for cookies. Okay, I have a soft spot for anything sweet. I don't just have one sweet tooth that attacks occasionally. I have a whole mouth that always craves something sweet...especially semi-sweet chocolate chips. Mmmm! I love all the smells that I associate with Christmas, most of them being aromas of baked goods.
I am planning on making a bunch of stuff this week to give away to my coworkers, neighbors, and whoever else I see. Here's a list of items I think I am going to make....
Mint Blossoms (like peanut butter blossoms-with the hershey kiss, but minus the peanut butter)
Lemon Bars
Cream Cheese Sugar Cookie Cut Outs
World Peace Cookies with mint chocolate chips
Cherry Kris Kringles
Chocolate Raspberry Fudge
Peppermint Pinwheels
Butter Cookies (easy but so tasty)
Molasses Cookies

Those are just a few ideas... I will probably make a few of them and a few others from years past.
I can't wait!!
Happy Holidays!!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Well worth the energy

The days can go by so quickly, and if you aren't careful, it will be the end of the year before you know it. I have experienced a lot this past year, and I know that it is not over yet, but with the holidays coming up quickly, I don't know if I will get a chance to think, let alone breathe! I have been taking care of two little ones for the past few weeks and have loved every minute of it. Now, there are those moments where you just want to curl up in the bathroom with the door shut and pretend that the noise and mess don't exist, but that would just take the fun out of a day with kids. They aren't at the age where they can get into too much trouble, but they definitely know how to push your buttons. 
I love observing the little girl. At first, she was very shy and cautious of me, but now, she will play with me and bring me books to read. She copies just about everything that I do. She has an elmo that she treats as her baby and whatever I do with her little brother, she does with elmo. It's so cute. She also has this little bag that she tries to stuff everything from her toy cell phone to her baby's bottle to her sunglasses and books in. Earlier today, I was burping her little brother, and she came over and ever so gently tried burping him as well. The love that she has for her brother is so adorable. She's going to be a great big sister. 
The little guy is just starting to roll over and lay on his side. The first few days I had them, I was clicking my tongue and smacking my lips and now whenever he sees me he starts doing it. 
Little kids are just so impressionable at this age. They are like little sponges soaking up as much as they can. I love being a part of this age. The work can be tiresome and you tend to lie in bed that night thinking, will I ever recover? But, the rewards are tremendous and well worth it!