Lemon Strawberry Pound Cake

This cake will forever have a special place in my heart.  If you read my last post, you can see why.  What was originally intended to be a tasty treat at Easter brunch, turned into a birthday cake for our sweet little Lilly who decided she wanted to be born on Easter.

fresh from the oven.

I am overjoyed to introduce Lillian Ashlea Taylor, born on Easter Sunday, March 31 at 4:16 p.m.  weighing 8 lbs. and 6 ounces.

This little cupcake is more fun than I could have ever imagined.

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Hi there...

Where to start?  What to say about the last month and a half?  I could start by saying I am taking my resolution from my pancake chat really seriously.  I have slowed down big time in some ways or at least I'm trying to savor time.  My version of "savoring" mostly involves naps and trying to do spontaneous things that might get a little harder come April.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Well, hello there 2013. 

We’ve only been here a day and already I feel like it’s going to be a good one.  I love a new year.  I love thinking about what might happen or what could be in store. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that in this year, we will become a family of three.  There’s always unknowns on January 1 of what is to come, but the anticipation of meeting this little bambino is more than I could have imagined.

In the meantime, I’m trying to stop time.  As much as the future excites me,  I know these quiet moments when it is just the two of us will be fond memories and we can never go back.   So my immediate new year’s resolution is to slow down a bit and take it all in. 

I want to take more naps.  See a few movies.  Take long baths.   Go out to dinner while there is no thought of having to get a baby sitter.  Take a few spontaneous trips.  Sleep late on the weekends and make more pancakes.

Holiday Favorites

From top left:  Candy Centered Chocolate Cookies// Chocolate Crackle Cookies// 
Pecan Rolo Pretzel Bites// Oreo Truffles// Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Men

Merry Christmas my friends.  

Christmas is coming in five days and that feels a little bit shocking.  Mostly shocking because not a bit of extra butter or sugar has whipped itself into any holiday baking this year in my kitchen.  I've had my fair share of caramels and cookies and chocolate covered things.  I just can't say I made any of them myself.  It's been a wonderful but very busy month, which has not left time for the all important gingerbread man. 

I still have high hopes of doing some baking this year, but in the meantime I wanted to share some of my past favorites.  Hope you are having a very merry Christmas season.

From my little kitchen to yours... Merry Christmas.  

Orange Rolls

Finally, it's December.

I don't think I have ever said that before, but last week just really threw me for a loop.  A whole extra week in November after Thanksgiving?  It just didn't feel like the holidays.  I mean it's still 80 degrees here, but there's no telling how long that will last.  At least we can flip the calendar and start counting down.  So let's start baking treats that only seem legal during the holidays.