I’m really beginning to settle into my hibernation mode over here. There’s something so cozy about baking and very holiday-y. It makes me feel like I’m back at home! And if there was any question about how much I am turning into my mom, this whole baking thing is totally Meesh (my mom’s name is Michele, we call her Meesh). At one point this week, there was banana bread, cornbread muffins, apple cinnamon doughnuts, and cookie dough in the freezer.
My trip to Sur La Table (recapped here) has really reinvigorated my spirit for baking. I’ve gotten over the fact that my kitchen is the size of a postage stamp, figured out how to fit everything in my oven for storage, and even converted my bar cart to a mini-pantry for appliances that don’t fit anywhere else. It’s so relaxing for me to just measure, mix, stir, bake… and enjoy!
For some reason, I never take inventory of my cupboards before going to the grocery store. So I have a bit of a surplus of flour. I’d rather have extra than not enough though… so it’s not so bad! (Funny enough, it’s the same case for sugar… whoops.)
Banana Bread smells so great! It’s not necessarily my favorite thing to eat in the world (don’t get me wrong, I will eat and like it…), but it smells heavenly. It’s almost worth baking just for the smell alone!
I think the recipe I use is from Betty Crocker… My mom sent me a scan of our recipe book at home so I can’t be too sure:
2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/3 cups milk
1 egg
2-3 mashed bananas (OLD over-ripe)
Mix everything together (that easy), pour into loaf pan, bake for 65 to 75 minutes at 350º.
Chocolate chip cookies. Garrett and I obviously can’t eat all the cookies from one batch of dough, so I’ve been double-wrapping in wax paper and storing it in the fridge. Thaw the dough and roll out the cookies… however many or few as you like!
The doughnuts have to be the best thing I’ve ever decided to buy… and make. I picked out the doughnut pan from Sur La Table and the Apple Cider Doughnut Mix, too. It’s so easy and the results are insanely delicious. I do have a couple of tricks about the doughnut pan from my first run. You have to grease the pan really well. I did an okay job with butter, but a spray like Baker’s Joy would have been better. The doughnuts got stuck in the pan anywhere it wasn’t perfectly greased and they fell apart a bit while taking them out. The biggest tip I have is to PIPE the dough into the pan. I didn’t have pastry bags, so I spooned the dough into a plastic bag and snipped the corner. Instant pastry bag! I would go light on the dough per doughnut as they do rise a lot while baking and it cooks more evenly if they’re smaller.
Next up on my to-bake-list is zucchini bread! I’ll share the recipe we love when I bake it… So, so good.
What’s your favorite thing to bake? Any family favorites?
Home made doughnuts? Amazing! Super excited for the zucchini bread recipe! I've loved it since I was a kid but haven't had it in forever, and unfortunately I don't have a good recipe for it!
I love baking. I actually made banana bread this past week too. I, however, could eat a whole loaf of banana bread in one sitting but i control myself and try to make it last. I love baking cupcakes the most and usually I never make the same kind twice just because I have to many recipes to try. -Dani The Postcard Journals
The doughnuts look absolutely delicious! Something about baking is just so refreshing and festive, it really gets you into the holiday spirit. I love this food post, hopefully they'll be more coming soon, especially that zucchini bread recipe!
I love banana bread! I'm normally not a big donut fan, but those look so good. Glad you've enjoyed baking! It can be a fun way to take a break from the rest of life's craziness.
Those donuts look delightful! I don't know what it is about the holiday season, but I feel like we all get that baking bug. When I was in high school, I would bake constantly throughout November and December. It's a lot harder in college, but I'm looking forward to going home over the break and finally indulging my baking bug!
I would love to have a donut pan for when I get bit by the same bug! Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, vanilla cupcakes with buttercream frosting, and cinnamon banana bread muffins have been my recent favorites….not great for my waistline, but totally perfect for keeping my apartment cozy and smelling heavenly!
Not really in the mood to be in photos right now, but I keep telling myself I’ll want to look back on these moments and remember them. (Right?!) when I look at these photos in 10, 20, 30 years…
I hope I remember Jack “rescuing” Rory from a windy tent, not how I stood in front of my closet with tears in my eyes.
I hope I remember watching Jack roll down hills and play hop scotch and scoot down the sidewalk with his besties, not that I caught a glimpse of my reflection and didn’t recognize myself.
I hope I remember sitting outside with my friend happily watching our kids play (while watching the minutes until bedtime tick by), and not that I spent too much time zooming in and examining every new wrinkle on my face.
I hope I remember the pure joy of these early warm days with my little family whom I love so much 🤍
The weather is warming up and I’m feeling slightly more comfortable in my skin every day ☀️ Here’s what I wore last week as a mom of two. I have a two and a half year old toddler and a two month old so I need outfits I feel good in, can chase a little guy around in, AND that I can breastfeed easily while wearing. 🔗 Leave a comment with “OUTFITS” to get links to every outfit I wore!
This room is so very special 🤍 The little cars sprinkled everywhere (watch your step!). A tiny sock, never two, peeled off and tucked somewhere hidden away. Piles of books that grow almost as quickly as the little boy who sleeps here. Outgrown pants and shoes to grow into mingling in the closet. Often messy, and a little cluttered, but a little boy lives here. 🚘☀️🐶📚🧸
(Rory is still in our room, but eventually the boys will share. I can picture their little twin beds already!)
About ten days ago, I noticed that today’s forecast was looking WARM. I told Mike, “We’re walking into town and sitting outside and I’m getting a beer. Put it on your calendar.” It ended up being warmer than forecasted (almost eighty degrees!) and let me tell you, it delivered. Today felt like the beginning of The Season™: dinners al fresco, beers/fries/ice creams, and late bedtimes. Indulging in it all because the kids are only getting older and we’re the grownups (somehow) and we get to make the rules ✌🏻
Dress is @tuckernuck & sweater is @kiltecollection
@pennylinndesigns and I hosted a “learn to needlepoint” class this past weekend and it was everything ✨ Needlepoint has been such a bright spot in my life over the past five years- and it’s gotten me through some difficult times. Because it’s helped me so much, sharing this hobby with others has turned into a mini life mission of mine. To sit in a room (my beautiful office space designed by @clare.sull!) with pro stitchers and needlepoint newbies alike was one of my dreams come true. I loved seeing women chatting, meeting, and bonding over this beautiful craft 🪡 Honestly, the needlepoint world is (sadly) filled with a lot of gatekeeping and competitiveness; this weekend proved that it doesn’t have to- and shouldn’t- be this way! It’s for EVERYONE. Whether you’ve never picked up a canvas in your life or you’re working on heirloom stockings for your family, there’s room for everyone at this table.
📍 Leave a comment saying “needlepoint” and I’ll send you my go-to resources for getting started with needlepoint!
Motherhood is pure JOY to me– nothing makes me happier than being with my boys! I wear my @haverhillcollection personalized jewelry every day as a symbol of my love for them– it’s a constant reminder for me of my greatest purpose. To celebrate my first Mother’s Day with TWO boys, I sent in my Haverhill necklace to add Rory’s birthstone and initial alongside Jack’s! I also got a second bracelet to stack with Jack’s. Love that this personalized jewelry can be altered as our family grows. Haverhill’s jewelry is designed to be lived in (perfect for busy moms!) made from solid 14k gold with high-quality birthstones so I never have to take it off to exercise, shower, or sleep. Use code MOTHERSDAY15 for 15% off!
We got a mama-approved family photo of the four of us 👏🏻 I wasn’t really paying attention to our calendar while in the end of pregnancy/newborn bubble and realized quite late that Jack had some time off from daycare and preschool this week. Mike and I quickly decided to book a last minute trip to Florida to visit my family and enjoy the warm weather ☀️
Home made doughnuts? Amazing! Super excited for the zucchini bread recipe! I've loved it since I was a kid but haven't had it in forever, and unfortunately I don't have a good recipe for it!
Kayla
I love baking. I actually made banana bread this past week too. I, however, could eat a whole loaf of banana bread in one sitting but i control myself and try to make it last. I love baking cupcakes the most and usually I never make the same kind twice just because I have to many recipes to try.
-Dani
The Postcard Journals
tis the season!! I love baking around this time of year too!!
ClassToCloset
Those donuts look delicious. I'm all about baking, and used to make 5 dozen gingerbread cookies every Christmas!
Kate
http://www.katethealmostgreat.com
The doughnuts look absolutely delicious! Something about baking is just so refreshing and festive, it really gets you into the holiday spirit. I love this food post, hopefully they'll be more coming soon, especially that zucchini bread recipe!
♡ veena | seveninchstilettos.com
twitter/instagram: @veenamccoole
Looks so yummy! <3
Brina xoxo, Check out – COAT GIVEAWAY
I love banana bread! I'm normally not a big donut fan, but those look so good. Glad you've enjoyed baking! It can be a fun way to take a break from the rest of life's craziness.
Ellen | A Pop of Pink
Those donuts look delightful! I don't know what it is about the holiday season, but I feel like we all get that baking bug. When I was in high school, I would bake constantly throughout November and December. It's a lot harder in college, but I'm looking forward to going home over the break and finally indulging my baking bug!
Taylor
thegeorgiapeachprep.blogspot.com
Zucchini loaf is amazing! If you like raisins you should add them in, they add a little something something to it 🙂
I love that there are 4 bags of flour in the picture for 2 1/2 cups in the recipe. Humor is awesome 🙂
~ Samantha
samsamcherie.blogspot.com
I was bit by the bug, too! It's this cold weather on the east coast, I'm sure! Check out my Apple Banana Bread recipe here http://wordsbyelena.blogspot.com/2014/11/apple-banana-bread-for-chilly-day.html
I can't wait for your zucchini bread recipe!
Elena
http://wordsbyelena.blogspot.com
Those donuts look incredible! So good!
-Meg
http://www.smalltownsisters.blogspot.com
YUM! I saw these doughnuts on your Instagram & didn't realize you made them!! They look so delish 🙂
xo, K
http://www.BKCsquared.com
I would love to have a donut pan for when I get bit by the same bug! Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, vanilla cupcakes with buttercream frosting, and cinnamon banana bread muffins have been my recent favorites….not great for my waistline, but totally perfect for keeping my apartment cozy and smelling heavenly!