In the Kitchen

     I am now baking something just about every day. Some days a lot of somethings, depending on any orders I have received. I was worried cookies would go bad and I'd have to toss them. So far I've been going through them pretty quickly. The only ones getting tossed are the screw ups or broken ones. That is unless the kids are home and want to eat them. Jake is getting very accustomed to licking bowls and spoons before they hit the sink, and loving every minute of it. What's funny is he'll love every dough from the spoon but when the cookie is done he won't often taste it. At least the ones without any chocolate in them.

     I am really enjoying making the goodies and having other people enjoy them too. I am not enjoying the lack of down time. Any days I'm not baking I'm doing laundry. Most days having the washer and dryer in the kitchen is great as they make for extra counter space. The days I actually have to put them to use I find myself moving all my stock of goodies back and forth around the kitchen and dining room depending on where I need space. At least laundry days as the washer and dryer are doing their jobs I can catch up on my dvr'd shows and give my couch some loving.

     The other morning everyone was off from school. I ran to Target for some ingredients and had some fun on the kitchen aisles all by myself. It was like porn for me as I coveted the whisks and spoons, mixers, bowls and pans. I have never been a window shopper. If I'm not there to buy it, don't need it, or have any use for it I won't even bother looking or heading down the aisle. It's a big waste of time for me. And usually depressing as I don't have the cash for it either. That day I could picture using some of those pretty new shiny kitchen toys. I figure if I do well enough I may be able to have them to play with in my kitchen someday. 

     Years ago my sister-in-law bought me two new cookie sheets for Christmas. They are the best ones I've ever had. I've saved them and only use them once a year at Christmas time to make my cookies. Now that I'm making cookies all the time I was hoping to get some more. I emailed her about them and she wrote back saying what kind they were and they were on amazon.com. But only 4 were left at the moment. I panicked and thought how, "if things take off and I really do need them what if I can't get them?" Well I talked to my Daddy and got myself an early Christmas present ten minutes later. Once they came I didn't use them right away. I waited until I felt I really needed them and then it was like playing with a new toy. The cookies baked perfectly on my pretty new toy too.

     A few days later I noticed one of my wooden spoons had a crack in it. Being I hand mix all my stuff I've been known to break a spoon or two each season. I figured it best to check my other spoons and sure enough one of the other ones also had a chip in it. I was annoyed I had to toss two of my favorite mixing spoons. Again my Daddy came to the rescue. He works in the housewares dept. part time in a local store and is always bringing home crazy stuff for the house for me and my sisters. I texted him about my broken spoon knowing he was at work. I asked if he had the chance and saw any if he could grab me one. The next time I got over to his house I found he had gotten me 7. Two packages of three spoons each in different sizes. One package was plastic the other wooden. And one huge Paula Deen wooden spoon that probably cost twice as much as the two packages of spoons together. Again new toys to play with thanks to my Daddy. I had never even used a plastic spoon before, but now they are my new favorite. At least as long as they hold up and I don't break them. Time will tell on that one. Over the past few days I keep fantasizing about letting him get me some new whisks next. Like a kid in a candy store.

     I soon may have to start using a mixer. I really don't want to as I've never liked them and don't even own one. My back is definitely not happy about me standing stirring and baking a lot of hours, a lot of days now. A friend had given me one at my bridal shower. As I have been a baker for a long time it was a logical gift. Unfortunately I never used it. I don't even think I took it out of the box except maybe to store it, in hopes I might use it. Years later after moving into our then little house I needed space and I gave it to a girlfriend I worked with who I knew would use it. I'm pretty sure she still has it. The biggest problem I have with a mixer is their bowls are usually made from aluminum. You can't microwave aluminum. I microwave my butter and chips and cream cheese all in the same bowl I mix by hand. Why would I want to make more dishes for myself having to melt everything seperately? 

     I am having a great time in my kitchen cooking up all kinds of great things. I am still addicted to the chocolate mocha cappuccino cookie. I swear I eat a few every day. Thankfully I'm moving so much in the kitchen baking they haven't translated into an extra 5lbs yet. I do have to cut myself off though before they do. I miss thinking. Just time to myslef to let my brain wander. Thats usually when I come up with fun things to blog about. Haven't had too many lately. When cooking I have the radio going and usually I'm singing along or thinking of packaging and pricing and all other things related to this new business. I guess maybe once I get it all figured out my brain will be able to wander more. Time will tell. In the meantime I have to make a concerted effort to get on and blog. And if an idea strikes me no matter where or when I have to write it down or I know I'll lose it. There's just too many other things going on up there right now.