Easy as Pie!

I am thrilled to announce that so far this year I have already checked two items off of my 'bucket list'!!

I made a snow-angel:

And if you're thinking 'Wow I can't believe it took you 25 years to accomplish this small life-experience!' (which I know all of you are) consider the fact that I live in an area where it never very rarely snows. But a few weeks ago I got to spend a cabin weekend in the snow, and not only did I get a relaxing weekend of girl-time, but I got to meet a tiny goal as well.

My second item was more of an personal accomplishment. Ever since I discovered the joy of pie-making, I've always wanted to make my own pie-crust. I must admit that when it comes to baking pies I am, in fact, a "cheater cheater pumpkin (pie) eater". Pillsbury's pre-made roll-out pie crusts have enabled me to fake it 'til I bake it! They are tasty and convenient and unintimidating.

But this weekend my stress-baking senses were tingling, and thanks to a pie cookbook my sister got me for Christmas, I decided I was going to tackle this project!

Just a few simple ingredients: flour, salt, sugar, butter, shortening, ice water

A little stand-mixer action,

And...voila! Pie crust

It was pretty easy to make...but a pain in the butt to roll out, even so, my triple berry was pretty delish!

My grown-up Christmas list

Obviously, as I've gotten older, the things I'm asking Santa for are becoming less frivolous and more useful. Gone are the days of asking for Barbie's Dream House, games for my gameboy, and Garth Brooks cassette tapes. Grown-up Lauren asks for more grown-up things, like Beauty and the Beast on DVD, or fun kitchen stuff. One thing on my list that I'm really hoping for is what I used to refer to as 'a whir-er' but is actually called an electric hand mixer (which would make mixing electric hands so much easier)
Okay, as much I want it for Christmas, I kinda want it now. Do you know how hard mixing 4 3/4 cups of flour in 1/2 increments is when you do it by hand? The first few are no problem, but once you're three cups in, it takes some serious muscle to incorporate that junk! It wouldn't be such a big deal, except I'm afraid that by the end of this holiday baking season I'm going to have one arm bigger than the other from all the stirring I'm doing.
Tonight I made the dough for ginger bread cookies (it has to refrigerate overnight, so I'll roll out the cookies and bake them tomorrow). Also, tomorrow I'm making gingerbread cupcakes and frosting for both sets of baked goods. FROM. SCRATCH.

I love to bake. I'm not sure why, cause I hate to cook, but baking is so much fun for me. I can't wait until the smell of gingerbread is wafting through my apartment. It's such a more joyful scent then, say, soup.