Baking Cookies

Yesterday was cold, nasty and drizzly. So the kids could not play outside and were feeling cooped up. What is the worlds greatest aunt to do with them while their mother takes a nap? Hmmmmm I decided that just watching tv or playing video games was not an option so we made cookies. I had just enough brown sugar, vanilla and chocolate chips that one batch would finish all three of them off so we all put on our aprons and went to work.





It was so odd I bought the boy his apron two years ago and when I was looking for one for the girl yesterday at Williams-Sonoma they only had ones for boys. Now I am not sure how many people out there try to buy cooking stuff for kids but normally it is all, and I do mean all, geared for girls. Easy bake ovens are pink, the little kids stoves are pink. The boy does not really care about this sort of thing but he is very secure. So I found it really strange that they had a hulk, spiderman, and star wars aprons but nothing geared to little girls. Now don't get me wrong I have no problem putting her in one of those aprons, but she doesn't like spiderman, and the hulk scares her. The star wars one was too plain. So here she is, in one of my old ones from culinary school rolled up and customized with hockey tape. We started the whole process with strict rules, clean hands, and no fighting. She did the dry ingredients and he helped me with the wet and the kitchen aid. Once the batter was mixed they had no desire to help scoop them onto the trays and bake them but the definitely wanted to lick the utensils.





All in all it was a positive experience for all of us and giving them a love of cooking now can only help later. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Ten on Tuesday - 10 Things I Want to Do in 2012

Carole has been sending me the topics to write about for Ten on Tuesday for months and I keep forgetting to write them.  So today I figured I am going to start.  This way I can look back at the end of the year and see if I managed to do any of them.


1. I want to read 50 books this year.  Last year I managed 52 so I should be able to squeeze these in.


2. I am going to attempt to eat mostly unprocessed foods 5 days a week.  There are small kids that live at my house so I know that going for everyday is practically impossible.


3. I am not going to start any new knitting project until one of the works in progress has been completed or frogged.  I have over ten WIPs and most have been on the needles for a long time.  This will force me to reevaluate their existence.  This does not apply to the following.  I am going to attempt to keep up with the Shakespeare in Lace club kits from Wooly Wonka Fibers. They are beautiful and I love knitting them so they are the exception to the above rule.  Hopefully this will keep me from getting too bored with the projects I have on the needles.


4. I am going to write more.  My goal is to work on my writing 7 hours a week.  I also want to get over my fear of editing and begin to edit my works in progress.


5. I am going to practice my spinning and get up the courage to try to spin the beautiful Merino/Silk I just bought at The Fold's New Year's Day Sale. I would like to get to the point where what I spin is actually useful for a project.


6. I am not going to buy any more yarn until Midwest Fiber and Folk.  I have 142 MILES of yarn currently in my house.  I think that is plenty to tide me over until then.


7. I would like to have a warp on both looms at all times during the year.  That being said neither one has a warp on it right now, but i do have two warps wound and ready to go.


8. I am going to finish one fiber art project a month.  I don't care if it is woven, knit, crocheted, or spun I just want to accomplish somethign every month.


9. I want to take my lunch to work more often than going out. I am aiming for taking lunch 3 out of the 4 days I work.  (We have a screwy 4 days on 2 days off schedule.)  It would be healthier and save money.


10. This one is probably the most important.  I vow to be kinder to myself and to the people that live in my house.  Lately I find myself being stressed and not treating myself and other the way I truly want to be treated.  In this I am going to go to yoga 3-5 times a week.


Rereading this it sounds like a lot but they are goals and I like a challenge.