Tuesday, May 08, 2012

The Pillsbury Dough Boy and me

Stephanie's amazing cake pops from a previous party in her New England home.

I like peace and quiet and... order.  Festivities often bring with them anything but normal life, don't they?

At this moment, my kitchen looks like the Pillsbury Dough Boy decided to do the shimmy like a Golden Retriever when coming in from the rain.  My blood sugar is probably rising just by breathing the air.

I have printed off cookie recipes, cake recipes (for making mini cakes), quick bread recipes (also for making mini loaves), my favorite lemon bar recipe, and the recipe for Stephanie's pizza dough (which will be used in mini sandwiches)... just to make this week... next week is cupcakes and whatever does not get done this week.

The printed recipes are taped two at a time on my kitchen cabinet doors above the big red Kitchen Aid mixer (aka:  Precious).  Items no longer needed for baking have been removed from the kitchen counter and now sit on the dining room table.

Cookies are baking now, then mini loaves of lemon cake will be prepared and baked, then a chicken will be thrown in the oven for dinner... all in order of how much energy they require.

Some similar pattern will be performed each day for the remainder of the two weeks before Stephanie arrives for further baking together.

Speaking of whom, in a New England kitchen, cake pops are being baked, decorated, and frozen... in the midst of preparing to pack for a family of seven, two birthday festivities, and a husband who first went to Europe and then a U. S. city on business trips.

Christopher is moving in before he moves out with... furniture and laundry and books and stuff.  Lots of stuff... but it has been nice having him home.

There is no car I can drive available, not having driven a stick shift since my early twenties and not feeling comfortable re-learning with a car belonging to another person. 

But in the midst of it all, He has provided everything I need to continue...  :)

I hope to take a break between all the wedding reception preparations (Miss M. and her mother are very busy with last minute actual wedding preparations) to read a little and write some e-mails.

13 comments:

Vee said...

Your days sound full, busy, and happy. This is a time for great rejoicing in the camp. I remember my wedding when my mother baked everything for the reception. (Far more wonderful than could have been provided by any caterer.) I remember Stephanie's tips for cake pops, too. My own daughter found them invaluable when she made hers. Those tips took all the frustrations out of making them.

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

I love that you are doing such a 'family' wedding and reception. They are the best kind - celebrating without breaking the bank!

Deanna

Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Life said...

Oh, the flurry and fun of baking days....along with the anticipation of wedding festivities in the making!

I enjoy your ever-constant testimony of how He provides for you in every way... as you have done again in your posting today.

Wishing you great fun... and grace for the journey (especially the feet) happy may they be!

Angela said...

I wish I could help you Brenda! Anything I can do from Georgia? Angela

Anonymous said...

Brenda, I'd love to see some photos of your kitchen NOW ... even if it is chaotic with all the baking! Seeing these projects in process would be so inspirational! (-:

Heather Anne said...

I wish I could drop in with my 'precious' and bake with you for the wedding Brenda! I've not been baking much this past week - I think I may have inadvertently cause my own temporary baking burnout when I made 12 different things for our Sunday School breakfast - in just 4 hours of madcap baking! Everything turned out well and I fed 47 people for just over $60 so it was fun - but tiring! I have come to the conclusion that I get tired baking but I never get tired of baking! You're inspiring me to set out a pound of butter to do some cookies tomorrow!

Front Porch Grace said...

I noticed someone offered to help from Georgia...I extend the same invitation from NC. You certainly have my prayers.

This is a time for rejoicing, introspective moments, and baking, and etc, etc, etc...

I was the only one who baked for my daughter's wedding. And it was actually very good for me to have my heart, mind, and hands busy.

Continuing in prayer; wish we could have a big baking party with you.

Oh it's all going to be so beautiful! I am so excited for you all!

Anonymous said...

shall pray for strength for all that needs to be accomplished in the days ahead

Laura

Nana said...

Hi Brenda;
What a blessing you are to your family and your friends in blogsville! I would also love to help you bake and prepare for the happy day, so if you need any help I am here in northern Oh, just say the word. Hugs and Prayers, Nana

Anonymous said...

Sounds lovely but wouldn't a sheet cake be easier?

Grace K. said...

Those look so delicious, Ms. Brenda! I've been itching to try my hand at baking some cake pops (especially after finally tasting Starbucks' dainty versions months after first spotting them). Sounds like you and Stephanie are going to have a busy, sugar-filled delightful week of mother-daughter time. :)

P.S. I dropped by to congratulate you on being a part of Whole Heart Mom Online - I moseyed on over today and was delighted to see you as a contributor! Not sure if it's new or I just hadn't seen it before, but I'm so looking forward to your posts. :)

Love and prayers for a smooth week to you,
Your granddaughter

Grace K. said...

Oh, and I would drop in with my "Precious" to help you bake if I could! One day we'll bake and enjoy some coffee together... :)

Anita said...

What an exciting time in your family!