Well... a gob, that is!
I've finally started re-introducing dairy into my diet now that B can tolerate it a little bit. Something happens when you become a mom and your own wants go out the window if it goes against what your child needs. For the last 3 1/2 months I've deprived myself of milk, butter, cheese, etc. and all foods that contain dairy. (Oh, pizza, how I've missed you!!) But hey, if it will keep B feeling good and not screaming, I'll go for the rest of my life with no dairy! I still haven't had any pizza, but on Friday (and Saturday!!) I ate a gob. And can I just tell you, I enjoyed every single bite. I think I even made sound effects to show how much I really enjoyed them. Soft, moist, rich red velvet cake with sweet and smooth cream cheese frosting. Mmmmmm....
I've been baking so much lately and I am SO thankful that I can finally dive right in and taste-test the goods! Strawberry shortcake muffins, chocolate chunk cookies, apple cinnamon bread, cinnamon chip scones... who's hungry?!
One of the things that I love most about baking is trying out new recipes. I've seen other people join groups with other bloggers working their way through a specific cookbook or cupcake recipes, etc. but for me, I want to leave my options open and not commit to just one cookbook or one category of baked good. So this week, I'm starting a challenge with..... myself!
B. Sweet Saturdays: This week I'm going to start something new. During the week, I'll choose a recipe and test it out at home. Then, I'll post a picture on here and on facebook along with the name of the treat, and I'll offer it for one day only- on Saturdays. If you want to taste-test the treat, respond to the post and I'll make you an order. Then you can come pick yours up on the following Saturday! Fun, right?!
So, I'm off to find some inspiration. I'm thinking I might do something "chai" because I LOVE chai tea lattes. Mmmmm dairy!! <3 Wish me luck!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Sticks and Stones may Break My Bones...
But words can never hurt me? HA! What a bunch of hooie!
There have been some pretty nasty rumors flying about B and my family lately so I just want to clear them up.
No, Ben doesn't have something "seriously wrong" with him. He is a strong-willed baby who knows what he wants! The doctors say that's because he's so smart! I'm sure he's going to give me a run for my money for many years!
When I went back to work, Ben refused to drink from a bottle. He starved himself during the day, then wanted to eat all night. That meant we both weren't sleeping. He'd be up at least six (usually more like 10) times every night to eat and/or be held just to be close to me. It took it's tole on all three of us. A kept getting sick, B kept getting sick, and I was on the verge of a break-down. I stuck it out and worked for six weeks while getting only about 3 broken hours of sleep each night. I just couldn't continue doing that. It wasn't fair to my family and it wasn't fair to the kids in my room.
Think I'm weak? I'd like to see you try it! Go ahead and set your alarm clock to wake you up every 45 minutes. Set it on the loudest possible setting, and even better, try to find an alarm clock that makes baby screaming sounds. Now put the alarm clock right next to your head. After the alarm clock goes off, stay awake for 45 minutes before you lay back down. Pace the floors of your house during that time just for good measure. Now go back to sleep and repeat every 45 minutes for the rest of the night. Now continue doing this for months on end. Good luck!
I knew that having a baby would change my life. I did. I didn't expect to have a little angel that waltzed in and didn't change my world. I knew I'd be missing out on a lot of sleep and I'd probably not eat a hot meal for a long time and it would be hard to go places for a while with a carseat, diaper bag, etc. in tow. But I had no idea that it would make me more sensitive than I already was! My momma claws are out and they are sharp!
Gossip is so hurtful. Why do we take part in it? Let's all make a conscious effort to only say kind things about one another from now on because, after all, isn't that what God wants us to do?? Love your neighbor like yourself...
There have been some pretty nasty rumors flying about B and my family lately so I just want to clear them up.
No, Ben doesn't have something "seriously wrong" with him. He is a strong-willed baby who knows what he wants! The doctors say that's because he's so smart! I'm sure he's going to give me a run for my money for many years!
When I went back to work, Ben refused to drink from a bottle. He starved himself during the day, then wanted to eat all night. That meant we both weren't sleeping. He'd be up at least six (usually more like 10) times every night to eat and/or be held just to be close to me. It took it's tole on all three of us. A kept getting sick, B kept getting sick, and I was on the verge of a break-down. I stuck it out and worked for six weeks while getting only about 3 broken hours of sleep each night. I just couldn't continue doing that. It wasn't fair to my family and it wasn't fair to the kids in my room.
Think I'm weak? I'd like to see you try it! Go ahead and set your alarm clock to wake you up every 45 minutes. Set it on the loudest possible setting, and even better, try to find an alarm clock that makes baby screaming sounds. Now put the alarm clock right next to your head. After the alarm clock goes off, stay awake for 45 minutes before you lay back down. Pace the floors of your house during that time just for good measure. Now go back to sleep and repeat every 45 minutes for the rest of the night. Now continue doing this for months on end. Good luck!
I knew that having a baby would change my life. I did. I didn't expect to have a little angel that waltzed in and didn't change my world. I knew I'd be missing out on a lot of sleep and I'd probably not eat a hot meal for a long time and it would be hard to go places for a while with a carseat, diaper bag, etc. in tow. But I had no idea that it would make me more sensitive than I already was! My momma claws are out and they are sharp!
Gossip is so hurtful. Why do we take part in it? Let's all make a conscious effort to only say kind things about one another from now on because, after all, isn't that what God wants us to do?? Love your neighbor like yourself...
Saturday, March 5, 2011
What if....?
I am a horrible worrier. I lay awake at night sometimes worrying about the most ridiculous things. Becoming a mom has only made it worse. Lately, it's been things about B: What if he gets a horrible disesase? What if I dropped him? What if he never sleeps through the night? What if people think he's a pain in the rear? It goes on and on... The logical side of me sees that I am being crazy. The other side of me thinks this is normal and maybe it's just part of being a mom! (I only worry because I love him so much, so I think maybe that means I am becoming a good mom... or at least I'm trying!)
So I've decided, I've had enough of this stupid "What if" game. From now on, for every negative "What if" I ask myself, I am going to force myself to come up with a positive "what if" to counter it. What if he gets a horrible disease? ---- What if he's perfectly healthy and strong and all this worry is for nothing?
I'm also "What-if"ing my baking.... "What if people don't like it?" "What if they think I'm not good enough?" "What if I put my heart into this and it fails?" So I counter it again... "What if people LOVE my baked goods!?" "What if they keep buying them and it turns out to be a great success?!" "What if someday I can open the bakery that I've always wanted to?!" "What if someday Oprah hears about me and she tells the whole world about my bake shop??" HAHA! Dream big, right??
I think these two things that I worry about have a common denominator: They are the things I love the most.
I love B with all of my heart. Even when he's screaming. Even when he's been up in the middle of the night 6 times. Even when he throws up all over me (and if you know me, you know how I feel about vomit.)
I love baking with all of my heart, too. Even when my bread falls in the middle. Even when I fill the muffin pans too full and they overflow and burn on the bottom of my oven. Even when I forget to add the flour to my cookies and end up with soup on the cookie sheet (yes, I did that once... it was a long time ago!)
So the worrying is just because I am so passionate and in love. In love with B. In love with baking. I make mistakes. I'm human. But I sure as hell amy trying my best. I certainly hope I don't fail at either one.
I don't know what the problem is but I can't upload pictures on the blog right now. Check out my facebook page for pictures of my Red Velvet Gobs, Chocolate Cupcakes with Fluffy Vanilla Buttercream frosting, Lemon Blueberry Muffins, and Apple Cinnamon Muffins....
So I've decided, I've had enough of this stupid "What if" game. From now on, for every negative "What if" I ask myself, I am going to force myself to come up with a positive "what if" to counter it. What if he gets a horrible disease? ---- What if he's perfectly healthy and strong and all this worry is for nothing?
I'm also "What-if"ing my baking.... "What if people don't like it?" "What if they think I'm not good enough?" "What if I put my heart into this and it fails?" So I counter it again... "What if people LOVE my baked goods!?" "What if they keep buying them and it turns out to be a great success?!" "What if someday I can open the bakery that I've always wanted to?!" "What if someday Oprah hears about me and she tells the whole world about my bake shop??" HAHA! Dream big, right??
I think these two things that I worry about have a common denominator: They are the things I love the most.
I love B with all of my heart. Even when he's screaming. Even when he's been up in the middle of the night 6 times. Even when he throws up all over me (and if you know me, you know how I feel about vomit.)
I love baking with all of my heart, too. Even when my bread falls in the middle. Even when I fill the muffin pans too full and they overflow and burn on the bottom of my oven. Even when I forget to add the flour to my cookies and end up with soup on the cookie sheet (yes, I did that once... it was a long time ago!)
So the worrying is just because I am so passionate and in love. In love with B. In love with baking. I make mistakes. I'm human. But I sure as hell amy trying my best. I certainly hope I don't fail at either one.
I don't know what the problem is but I can't upload pictures on the blog right now. Check out my facebook page for pictures of my Red Velvet Gobs, Chocolate Cupcakes with Fluffy Vanilla Buttercream frosting, Lemon Blueberry Muffins, and Apple Cinnamon Muffins....
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Good Fortune
Do you ever have days when you think to yourself, I am so truly blessed? I feel so grateful for all of the incredible blessings I have in my life right now: an incredible baby (even if he doesn't sleep well.... last night he only got up two times which is record-breaking and the first time in MONTHS!), a fabulous husband, a supportive and loving family, a church family and minister who I look forward to seeing every Sunday, and friends who I wouldn't trade for anything. I thank God for all of these every day.
I was watching the Today Show yesterday at my mom's house and there was a quick segment on taking care of other people. What better way to take care of others, they said, than food?! I tend to agree. I think that's what baking is all about for me. It makes me feel like I am giving people something that makes them feel good.... and selfishly, I suppose, that in turn makes ME feel good. A lot of my favorite family memories involve food... birthday cakes from Aunt L, ham pot pie from grandma g, chicken and gravy over biscuits with my mom, soups and breads from grandma p, and I could go on and on.... food really does make a difference in peoples' lives.
So today I am feeling blessed. I've been able to spend the day with B, baking apple cinnamon and banana breads to share with my church family on Sunday. I made chocolate chunk cookies and cinnamon rolls for a friend who I met through teaching. And I got orders for gobs, cupcakes, and muffins with people who I hope will become friends in the future. I am so grateful!
I was watching the Today Show yesterday at my mom's house and there was a quick segment on taking care of other people. What better way to take care of others, they said, than food?! I tend to agree. I think that's what baking is all about for me. It makes me feel like I am giving people something that makes them feel good.... and selfishly, I suppose, that in turn makes ME feel good. A lot of my favorite family memories involve food... birthday cakes from Aunt L, ham pot pie from grandma g, chicken and gravy over biscuits with my mom, soups and breads from grandma p, and I could go on and on.... food really does make a difference in peoples' lives.
So today I am feeling blessed. I've been able to spend the day with B, baking apple cinnamon and banana breads to share with my church family on Sunday. I made chocolate chunk cookies and cinnamon rolls for a friend who I met through teaching. And I got orders for gobs, cupcakes, and muffins with people who I hope will become friends in the future. I am so grateful!
Apple Cinnamon Streusel Bread
Chocolate Chunk Cookies
A different spin on Cherry Almond Muffins
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Muffins and Cookies and Scones, Oh My!
So here I am, home with the B man and I've decided to start a blog. I've been posting pictures of the baked goods I've been making on facebook, but I figured I could streamline them a little easier if I put them on here with an explanation and comments about each one. At this stage of the game, I'm just trying to gather some interest in my baking to see where it takes me... when one door closes, another one opens, right?
In the last 24 hours, I've made 4 batches of muffins: Cranberry Orange Crunch, Cinnamon Apple Streusel, Chunky Pear with Gingersnap Crumbles, and Fresh Lemon Blueberry. I also made a really yummy batch of Cinnamon Chip Scones.... oh my, did I want to eat them all!!!!! I'm still working on making them muffins so they *look* pretty, but I assure you, they are all delicious. I wouldn't put my name on something that I wouldn't eat myself! I'll post pictures of the muffins just as soon as I have them uploaded onto the computer instead of my phone.
I hope you'll all keep tabs on this site and stop back often to see what I've got in the oven! I'm off for now to make some dessert for my friends from CT. They're bringing dinner over for a girls' night (+ Ben!). I am so blessed!
Here are some photos of muffins I've made over the last week or so:
Leave a comment and send suggested flavors! I'd love to try them all!!
In the last 24 hours, I've made 4 batches of muffins: Cranberry Orange Crunch, Cinnamon Apple Streusel, Chunky Pear with Gingersnap Crumbles, and Fresh Lemon Blueberry. I also made a really yummy batch of Cinnamon Chip Scones.... oh my, did I want to eat them all!!!!! I'm still working on making them muffins so they *look* pretty, but I assure you, they are all delicious. I wouldn't put my name on something that I wouldn't eat myself! I'll post pictures of the muffins just as soon as I have them uploaded onto the computer instead of my phone.
I hope you'll all keep tabs on this site and stop back often to see what I've got in the oven! I'm off for now to make some dessert for my friends from CT. They're bringing dinner over for a girls' night (+ Ben!). I am so blessed!
Here are some photos of muffins I've made over the last week or so:
Harvest Pumpkin with Brown Sugar Crumbles
Fresh Lemon Blueberry
Super Soft Banana
Chunky Pear with Gingersnap Crumbles
Cinnamon Coffee Cake Muffins
Leave a comment and send suggested flavors! I'd love to try them all!!
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