how this stella got her groove back

over the last six months, thank you pregnancy, i have had NO desire what so ever to cook or bake. well other than basic nutritional needs. and that my friends has been pretty basic.

until this past weekend.  its soup week at work this week.  we are constantly finding reasons to bring ridiculous amounts of food and gorge ourselves until we are plump & sleepy.

i signed up for chili.  while i'm sworn to semi-secrecy over this said recipe, i have a recipe for super delish cheesy chicken enchilada soup that i will share later this week.

& because of said soup week, i have gained my desire to bake and make yummy things again. THANK YOU LORD!

tonights plan - cookies. with m&ms!

oh those cupcakes up there, thats from a few valentines ago, but they look mighty yummy right about now..

The Great Cook-a-palooza

weheartit - edited by me.

We are T minus 12 days until Christmas and the list of what I need to make keeps growing and growing and growing!  Like seriously...  Maybe I'm in over my head.  I know I can do it, but sleep is a little important to me.  

Here's my list so far:

• Cherry Danish - the Mister's dad's family side Christmas party - Saturday the 18th
• Corn Casserole - my mom's mom's side of the family Christmas reunion - Sunday the 19th
• Sausage Balls (Mild & Spicy) - My work's week of Christmas Food Craze Days!  - Monday the 20th
• Seasoned Pretzels - Christmas treats for all the coworkers - thats like 25 people folks -  Tuesday the 21st
• Holiday Pretzel Rods - Christmas treats for all the coworkers - thats like 25 people folks - Tuesday the 21st
• Rice Crispie Treats - Christmas treats for all the coworkers - thats like 25 people folks - Tuesday the 21st
• Pretzel/Rolo Candy Treats - Christmas treats for all the coworkers - thats like 25 people folks - Tuesday the 21st
• Some kind of munchies (TBD) -for Christmas eve w/ my family - Friday the 24th
• Mexican food (TBD) - for Christmas eve w/ Damon's mom and family - Friday the 24th
• Christmas Day food (list TBD) - food required for both get togethers - my side and his side.

And thats just what I have so far.  That's so overwhelming to type out then read.  Eeps.  I can do it!! *sound the Rocky song**

I really would also like to make some holiday cupcakes - maybe those can be for Christmas Eves with the families.

**If I have leftovers of Christmas treats (which I'm sure I will) and you would like me to send you a small sampler, send me an email with your info - sugarbearbear@live.com **  PS must be United States address!

Everyone needs to be able to enjoy the yumminess of the Christmas season!

Cheers to tons and tons of FOOD!

"Strange to see how a good dinner and feasting reconciles everybody"

-Samuel Pepys






cupcakes are so amazingly delicious - they make anything beter





mmmmm homeade buttercream is the BEST!





Since moving out of my parents home and then my grandparents home (yea long story there) and moving in with Damon, the love of my life, I have grown to have this amazing and wonderful obsession with baking, cooking and all things food.  I have this crazy sense of madness when I get in the kitchen - I'm always the one who has to be touching the pots and pans, mixing, cooking, everything.  Ask Damon - I'm a phene for being the one in control of the kitchen.. It probably drives him up the wall, because I have a hard time giving up control in the kitchen - even on nights where he tells me he's cooking I have a very hard time letting him.  Is this a BAD thing??

And since then, if you are a loyal reader and saw my post about Mrs. Paula Deen, you will find I'm reading her book.  Doesn't make my so called Kitchen Problem any better.... I was born to be in the kitchen! I was born to cook!  I live for it!  I am a younger version of Paula, I'm convinced.

Its my dream, my goal, my aspirations to be like Paula - and be known for cooking..  I want people to enjoy my food, LOVE my food even.   It's just getting there that's the hard part.  I tell myself over and over again that I can do this - but my mind always gets the best of me and convinces me that I shouldn't waste my time...  Where would I find the money to get started? Where would I find that person that believes in me and invests in me? I think its quite possible that I'm just off in one of my crazy little worlds that I go so often.  

I just don't want to grow up wishing and regretting what that I would have done more or done what I wanted to do - I want to grow up knowing I've fufilled that dream - cooking, baking and pleasing everyone's taste buds...