Days In the Kitchen

   I admit it, I am in love with cooking and baking. If I had more time and resources I would most definitely spend my days in the kitchen without a complaint. There is something just so marvelous about making your own food. See a few years ago I’d stay away from the kitchen because I would burn just about anything or mess it up even if it was a simple lemonade drink. I learned that not everything should be followed, that you can always change things to your own taste and I love that!

I’m no pro at baking but I am very glad that I haven’t burnt anymore treats. I’m not a chef but I’m very delighted that I can at least create some sort of dinner all on my own. Its a nice feeling to know you can cook up your own stuff and not have to worry.

I started to bake mostly because I wanted to get better, I wanted to have some presentable thing on a plate something that I could eat and enjoy. I learned many things here and there and I felt accomplished. My next step was cooking and I put that off for a while. My mother likes to think it was the love bug that got me into the kitchen and I wont deny that it does have some involvement in my decision to spend more time in there. However learning how to cook is something I have been wanting to do for a while, the lack of time has really played a major role in pushing this back. Lately with more time, and more inspiration from my sweetheart I went back to it and extremely glad that I did. Through trial and error, advice, and a lot of experimentation my skills have improved. I have acquired a new hobby, something new to keep my mind occupied and something that I came to love and appreciate. My days in the kitchen, they just never fail to bring smiles to my face.

Smile, everyone has something that makes them smile. 

Weird Cookies

I remember a few years back trying to bake some cookies only to have them burnt, not baked, or just weird tasting. Ever since last year I decided to give baking another try. It was a challenge after many weird looking cookies I wondered if I would even make something worth looking at. After a couple of months of trying and trying I’ve been getting better at the whole baking subject. Cakes come out looking like cakes, cookies look like cookies. I even tried making pies. Now recipes I try seem easier, I learned a few tricks from my own mistakes and tricks that were passed down to me from my older sister as well.

Usually I bake when I really want to try out a recipe or when I want to practice for something big. Sometimes I bake because it has become a form of relaxation exercise and usually do it before major exams. My favorite part of baking and cooking is when people enjoy the food. Food sure brings people together. Amazing isn’ it? How something as simple as food can bring people together for some time. I must say from my experience it’s beautiful. I’m sure there are other things that bring people together like sports, important events, books, even rocks bring people together.

All I know is that I am glad that I didn’t give up after many weird looking cookies and I’m glad I gave it another try. My baking experience is only a small expample of life out there  sometimes we get knocked down time and time again. In the end it doesn’t matter how many times you were knocked down but the fact that you got up again. With that said, don’t give up even if its on something small (like my cookies) because small things can bring to big changes.

Smile, don’t give up.

Cookies For Santa

       Now you may be one who believes that children should know that Santa is not real, that “Santa” is in fact the parents and I would agree with you. But I have to say that there is something about that man in a red suit that makes kids hopeful. Perhaps is the feeling that they will get gifts, I’m still not sure. Whatever the reason is doesn’t really matter when you see their faces lit up as they become little cookie makers for Santa.

      After a couple of trials on learning how to make cookies I think I finally succeeded. I had been practicing for some time so that come Christmas eve I could make cookies with my little monsters. I have to say that I was very happy to see them jump when I asked them if they wanted to help. Eager as they were they helped me make the best cookies ever. The look on their faces as they saw the first batch of cookies was priceless. It was their work, and they loved it. They were amazed at their results, and like any kids they had to try out their first cookies.

      What made me smile the most was watching them set up a plate of cookies and milk for Santa, I have to say that was a beautiful sight. They decided to make a thank you card for him too and they wrote their names down, even the little one who cant even write. She copied my little brother’s name and I have to say for a kid who doesn’t know how to write she did one splendid job.

      In the morning they woke me up to tell me Santa had come to eat the cookies and boy where they excited! To see them so happy made me happy. It only reminded me of home, they are the reason I always want to come back. Their laughter and contagious happiness makes everything worthwhile. I’m glad I spent more time with them this year, I’m glad that we were able to make some things together. It’s those memories that last a lifetime, its the memories I’ve made with the people I love, my little monsters.

 Smile, create memories with the people that you love.