baking time

I've never been good with surprises. Giving them, that is. I always end up getting too excited and want to spill the beans. This year, I got Erik an early Christmas gift and he agreed we could have one exchange before the holidays.  We made a Christmas afternoon of it exchanging gifts and preparing cookies.  I found a unique watch company, JORD Wood Watches and thought I'd add to Erik's growing collection. They've got a great variety of men's watches and women's watches too! Erik got me the perfect addition to my record collection. Hello, 'A Very Merry She & Him Christmas.' We obviously put it on for the afternoon.  

I've actually never made Gingerbread cookies, but they are delicious. What's your favorite kind?

This watch is the Fieldcrest Series Dark Sandalwood

Happy Holidays!

Watch Gift Ideas

the gift of sweets

This year I decided to give the gift of sweets.  There was another cookie I wanted to make which needed peppermint chips but when I went to the store I couldn't find any.  I asked someone for help and they informed me that peppermint chips were seasonal and that the season was over.  This is crazy considering it isn't even Christmas yet.  These M&M cookie squares did the trick though and while I was making them I realized the ingredients and directions were the same as the nestle cookies I love to make.  Simple as that!

the calm before the storm

Sunday was anticipated to be the best day of the week, and that it was.  We had planned on baking the entire day and getting cozy to watch the Holiday.  In the evening we headed down to Henry's for happy hour, but as soon as 10 pm rolled around my view on the day completely changed.  This week is finals for me and I usually meet on Tuesday/Thursday so I was expecting to write my 6 page take home test tonight and bring it to class tomorrow.  Little did I know our final was actually today at 10 am instead of Tuesday.  Who does that?! The entire term you spend going to class a specific time on a certain day only to get to the end of it all and have them switch the final not only to a different hour but an entirely different day.  Needless to say, I got it done by staying up half the night.  I'm glad it's over and glad I got to spend the day relaxing before the high levels of stress came on. 

around here

I enjoy school, I really do.  I feel accomplished when I'm in class...or actually go to class for that matter. I just absolutely hate tests.  I never know the proper way to study and whether my study techniques will benefit me at all.  I always feel like I've been studying for hours but have accomplished nothing.  I also never know when enough is enough.  I find myself easy distracted and more likely to take naps. During midterms this week I barely left the house.  In fact, I only went to work on Monday and then to classes, so I guess I've seen a lot of the apartment this week.  Thank goodness it's fall and I had the decorations to look at, but I'm more thankful that I had all the ingredients to make cookies, which also gave me a relaxing break.  I still have one midterm left and cannot wait for this week to be over. 

the magic of nestle

If you have never taken the time to look at the back of a bag of Nestle Toll House chocolate chips, I advise you do so.  These have got to be the best chocolate chip cookies ever.  I love them so much that they are the only chocolate chip cookies I ever make.  I also love them so much that I will not feel ashamed if I have 3 or 4 for breakfast....lunch...and dinner. 

Apple Banana Spice

Well, it's Sunday and aside from the fact that I saved today for homework it is still my favorite day of the week.  Sunday baking has much to do with this fact and today I decided to take on this apple banana spice bundt cake I saw on Pinterest.  Speaking of Pinterest, thank goodness it was created or Sunday baking may not exist.  I'm pretty proud of the cake, but I'm not sure what I think about the Vanilla Caramel Glaze.  Too sugary for me. The added banana into the cake was a magical idea however.  Happy Sunday!

Fall is here

So it's officially Fall now, and today it felt like it more than ever.  I decided it was an appropriate time to make these pumpkin muffins, which are the easiest thing to make.  All you need is a box of yellow cake mix and a can of pumpkin.  Thanks to Pinterest I will be making these multiple times this season.  This was also my first Sunday baking day since last Winter. Here's to many more to come!