Christmas Baking

It's getting to be that time of year again!

I typically bake year round and so, because I spoil people with cookies all the time, I tend to a little overboard around the holidays. This year, I'm approaching my baking extravaganza in a more organized fashion. In the past few years, I've teamed up with a friend who usually takes half of the responsibility but this year it will only be me. Because of that, I'm trying to plan as much as possible.

I have all of the recipes I will be using typed up and ready to go.

Here is what I'll be making this year:

• Peanut Butter Balls
• Fudge
• Sugar Cookies
• Peppermint Snowballs
• Wafer Cookies
• Russian Teacakes

All of them except the peppermint snowballs are ones that I make yearly. They are the ones that my mom and aunt would make each year. I think the reason that I continue to make them is because it was the only tradition that I can recall we had in our family and I don't want it to die out. 

The peanut butter balls especially. They aren't some big secret family recipe at all. I think they also go by buckeye candies as well. They are simple and delicious and remind me of being little and sneaking into the melted chocolate when my aunt wasn't looking. 

I'll start baking next week so I'll update as I go!

Oatmeal Obsession

As far back as I can remember, I've been in love with oatmeal. I suppose it's sort of a strange obsession but delicious nonetheless. There's just something about the creamy, chewy bowl of delectable goodness that I can't go without.

I was the weird kid who, when given the option, would choose oatmeal over any other sugary cereal. It didn't have the be the little packets of practically ground up, additive filled oats either. I loved all forms of it. My mom would make me a bowl of old fashioned oats and toss some brown sugar and maple syrup in it and I would devour it.

Since I've grown up a bit (only a bit), I've gotten a little more creative with my oatmeal. There's just so many tasty ways to whip up a bowl. Stove-top, baked, overnight, the occasional microwaved bowl of oats when you're in a hurry. I eat it for breakfast more often than not and occasionally as a snack or dessert. It's just so good, how could you not want to eat it all of the time! I'll never understand the people who turn their noses up at it.

Some of the variations I've had recently:

Baked Apple Pie Oatmeal with Almonds

Banana Nut Bread Oatmeal with Chia Seeds

Baked Peanut Butter Oatmeal

I'll share recipes that I use and other blogs that I get my inspiration from. I just want to spread the oatmeal love!

Introductions

Hello.

I’m a twenty something (fine, almost thirty) girl who has recently embarked on the journey to motherhood (34 weeks along), something I plan to share and hopefully connect with others who are or who have been on this roller coaster of a ride.

I love to cook and bake. I have a slight obsession with oatmeal, but I love to create all sorts of dishes.

I have two cats: Joey and Loki. They're very close.

I love to coupon and save money! I try to use coupons on anything that I can. I'll share my couponing adventures here as often as I can and any other money saving ideas. With a baby on the way, I'm trying to live as frugally as possible and save as much as I can.