My not so secret love

I don't know what it is, but whenever you stick me in a kitchen and even hint toward the possibility of me cooking, I get super excited. I'm not talking like a little bit more than happy excited. No, I'm talking like so over joyed that my insides might just come bursting out kind of excited. Whether it's baking cookies, a cake, muffins, brownies or some other baked good, grilling hamburgers or chicken, or cooking spaghetti, meatloaf, manicotti, twice baked potatoes, or another super good recipe I am ready and willing to hop elbow deep into the ingredients with my nose buried in the cookbook.
I can remember my mom always baking cookies. I swear we had homemade cookies freshly baked at least twice a week. I remember watching her add all the ingredients from her memory, and I wondered how in the world she knew just how to do it. Well, 20 years later I know- repetition. Give me a fully stocked kitchen and I can whip up a batch of chocolate chip cookies with my eyes closed. The recipe is burned into my brain.
I find it funny that during the stressful times in my life I have an urge to bake and wear comfy clothes (simply because I usually end up eating all the goodies).
You know it's going to be a good day if my apron comes out of hiding and there's some tunes on in the background.

It's the simple things....

Who Knew?!

In preparing to move the same day that I arrived home from Kenya, I had in my mind that I would have tons of help. That thought came to a screeching halt when I remembered that all of my friends down here either worked just as much, if not more than I do, or would be on the 14 plus hour flight with me. At that point, I wasn't sure how I was going to pull off my move, but my dear family stepped in to save the day. My mom, aunt, and cousin so willingly offered to drive down here from NY (a 12 hour drive) for the weekend simply for moving purposes. I am so very thankful for their kindness. If it weren't for them, I would've been moving by myself or with the help of a very exhausted friend and her husband (which would make for a rather moody time).
Sunday was my aunt's birthday, so I wanted to say thank you and happy birthday the best way I know how, by baking. Obviously, I wanted to make a cake. I had one yellow cake mix left, so I planned to bake while she was out for the morning and surprise her with it. Again, my thoughts came to an end when I realized that I did not have frosting, the ingredients to make frosting, or the money to buy frosting (since my wallet was MIA-yet another post). "Hmmm...what to do now," I thought. While scouring my very disorganized kitchen, I stumbled upon frozen strawberries. Perfect! I thought. I will make a strawberry sauce to go on top of my cake, kind of like strawberry shortcake (only not...).

So, ingredients were mixed (shortening was melted to make up for the lack of vegetable oil), and I was set to bake. Well, I was until I realized that the oven I had turned on 10 minutes ago was still cold. "Hmmm..." I thought again. "How do I bake a cake without an oven?" After all that effort to surprise my aunt with a cake, I  ended up surprising her with cake batter in a cake pan. It's the thought that counts, right?!

So, what did I do with the batter? My aunt suggested this...

Enter microwave

Yep, I decided to microwave my cake batter. I had never done such a thing, but according to some online forums about baking, it could be done in 7 minutes. I figured, "what do I have to lose?"

All I had to find was a baking dish that would fit in my microwave.

And...

Voila.... cake.

For my first take at microwaving baked items, I think it turned out pretty well.

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!!