Did you have a nice weekend? Maybe you’re still enjoying your weekend because you have Monday off in light of Columbus Day or maybe you’re Canadian and are still basking in the post-Thanksgiving glow.
I had a nice weekend but it flew by. Weekends always seem to go by quicker than other days of the week. I’m sure you can relate.
But it was a happy weekend because I spent some time at the park with Scott and Skylar.
It was nice to just be together. Spending more time as a family, even an extra hour or two here or there and whenever we can grab it, was an October goal. So far so good on that one.
We also had a kiddie birthday party to attend. Plenty of laughter, shrieking, cupcake eating, running around, and 5 year old antics ensued.
Happy times were had by all.
I also saw these…
…and I saw Funfetti brownie mix, spray-on frosting, and Funfetti frosting, and it’s probably so wrong…
…But it felt so right and it made me happy to think about what I could make with it all. Hmmm…
So far, we’re still working on the Oatmeal Raisin Cookies so I really don’t need to bake anything else.
But I like to bake. Even if I don’t need to. I find it relaxing, therapeutic, fun, and it just makes me happy. This made me happy, too.
The winner of the Silpat Giveaway is:
Katie October 6, 2011
“Cookies. I need to make more cookies! I am earning a reputation at work for being the cookie baker, and its been a couple weeks. I need to keep my reputation!
I’m thinking those snickers cookies would be a hit. I mean, DUH, right?”
Congrats, Katie!
Questions:
1. What made you happy over the weekend? Do you have Monday off?
2. Does baking, cooking, or spending time in the kitchen make you happy? Stress you out?
It used to stress me out and I didn’t enjoy it, at all. I was scared of it. The kitchen, cooking, baking, new recipes, experimenting and trying new things left me intimidated and scared to try.
Once I fully realized and embraced the notion that the worst that can happen is something doesn’t turn out and you have to pitch it and that the only way one can learn is by trying, practicing, and just going for it, I learned that not only was cooking not so bad, but I love it now.
Baking, coming up with recipes, combining whatever ingredients I have on hand to come up with something new, trying new recipes I read about, it’s fun and makes me happy to make and create.
Doing the dishes? That doesn’t make me happy. Wish I had a kitchen assistant for those.
If you’re just catching up on posts from the weekend, here are mine
Have a great (and hopefully short) week!
Gorgeous pics in here (like always)! I’m so happy to have Monday off because of Columbus Day. Ironically, in class we’re learning about how Columbus actually didn’t discover America, but I’m not turning my nose up at a day off! I love baking. I probably bake too much. ;) I love cooking. I guess it’s a good thing I have a food blog!
Baking and being in the kitchen isn’t stressful, but I do prefer to do it for fun, rather than something I have to do quickly. And there’s nothing wrong with a little baking “cheat” here and there :-)
Since I AM off today, I’ll consider Monday part of my weekend! Whats making me happy are the apple dumplings I have in my crockpot from apple picking on Saturday! Recipe to come! But my house smells devine!
Brooke
http://www.TheAnnessaFamily.blogpost.com
Congrats on the FoodGawker stuff!
I love cooking and baking–much more than I love eating, I’d say. Like you, I especially enjoy combining what’s on hand/in season and making new things. It only stresses me out when I’m trying to do too many things at once–I seem to love to multitask to keep myself interested!
You have a dishwasher, though, don’t you? That makes it easier. At least we have some cold running water now but we turned it off for a couple weeks recently while Phil was tweaking it and it really brought back memories of how hard it is to do dishes with water poured from a jug!
yes but you can’t put nice cookie sheets and vitamix containers and spatulas and mixing bowls in the dishwasher. Well, you can, but it’s not advised!
I cannot believe you go without running water for such extended periods…you amaze me, Ela! :)
I’m glad you’re having a good weekend! Mine has been relaxing but I didn’t get to visit with the boyfriend, unfortunately.
I LOVE baking! I just hate the mess!
SWEET!!!! I’m guessing these oatmeal raisin cookies were made with your silpat?
I almost said something to you the other day about how I remember when you were scared of baking! You’ve gotten really good, really fast, too. I think its funny when people say they are scared of baking. I mean the worst that could happen is you throw out a batch. I’ve done it. I just learned to only make small batches when I’m experimenting. Which is probably better for my girlish figure anyway. ;)
They sure were. Except one sheet was made on parchment b/c I only have 1 silpat and there is a noticeable difference in spreading on the parchment ones compared to the silpat. Enjoy :)
And thanks for the baking compliments. You’re the cookie master. And small batches, yes! KEY!
that funfetti is hilarious – never heard of it! that’s what i could use…i just like to decorate stuff, not bake or make up icing, so spray on icing sounds perfect.
you are right – even an hour here and there of EXTRA fam time is a step FORWARD. so glad you got to the park!
i do not enjoy spending time in the kitchen. i would rather spend my time outside or knitting or with friends…but i’m all for doing whatever makes you happy, so i am glad YOU enjoy creating new recipes!
i DO have the day off for thanksgiving and it’s been a BLAST. it feels like july, it’s so warm. i had a forrest gump type run – just looked at the colourful leaves, had no time or distance goal, just had FUN.
I LOVE those airbrushed cupcakes that you’re only allowed to get for your birthday parties when you’re under 10 years old…is that weird? :-) Sounds like a good weekend, all around!
Looks like a great weekend! I love baking/cooking. I just got finished carving a huge pumpkin so I’m very impatiently waiting for the seeds to dry so I can roast them. The dishes are not fun I agree, theres pumpkin all over my kitchen haha!
This weekend did go by super-fast. I got to spend some time with my family celebrating my grandfather’s 80th birthday.
Your baked goods always look so amazing—I am really not good at it, so I love admiring others’ handiwork : )
Sadly, it was a work day. Oh well, I am thankful the work, so I can’t complain. Baking is definitely therapy for me. I have such a rhythm in the kitchen. I don’t mind the clean up either. It feels good to make a mess that ends in a treat that then ends in a super clean kitchen!
I hosted a potluck for my classmates Friday evening- it was SO MUCH FUN! Everyone brought something to share, and I made Sweet BonBon Squash Curry and Delicata Squash Pizza! I absolutely love spending time in the kitchen- it makes me feel close to my mom even when we’re far apart.
I had today off from class but had a Shakespeare rehearsal this afternoon… And now… HOMEWORK!
Happy Monday, Averie! :)
Family time really is the best time. I totally agree with you. We are off here in Canada, so I am soaking up the last moments with My Love and My Baby Sister with relish. It is so great to just be with them! I am like you in that I love to be in the kitchen. I have since I was 15 years old, making gigantic batches of rice flour carob chip cookies! So funny, not I make all vegan and allot of raw stuff. No recipes, just ideas!
Our weekend flew by too – we went to visit my Dad and also went to a small food festival. More like a farmers market, but my daughter loved the kids area – she got to decorate a cupcake AND paint her own design on a bag! :-D
I love baking, but not so much the washing up…I usually leave that part to my husband! Fair’s fair – he gets to eat lots of the treats I bake after all!! I’m not very good at coming up with my own recipes though, but there are so many great recipes on the internet – including yours – that I’m never short of things to make :)
Extra time with family is the best! Im a bake-a-holic! It makes me super happy!
I wish I had the day off darn it. Sometimes kitchen time can be stressful, but usually only if it’s because of cooking for a larger event like a family gathering or a party. Otherwise, I find it therapeutic (minus the mess)