Oh mixer, why didn't I try you sooner??

Morning, everyone!  Hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend so far! 

I am embarrassed to share this, but I just used my Kitchen-Aid mixer for the first time yesterday....after receiving it in April 2009 from my lovely bridesmaids, who... probably have been really angry that they got me this mixer and I never used it...sorry ladies:)  After the husband kept asking me when I was going to use it, rather than just stare at it on our counter, I finally buckled down, read the booklet that came with it, and decided to go for it.  Why did I wait?  New appliance I'm not used to, afraid it would splash stuff everywhere, and I never rushed to try it because it didn't bother me to mix batter by hand.  Well, now that I have tried it, I have to say I will not be mixing batter by hand very often!  I couldn't believe how smooth the batter got so quickly, how quiet it was, as I remember my mom's mixer growing up being really really loud, and how evenly everything mixed together!  I'm now hooked, and can't wait to make more batter, - cookie, cake, you name it - breads, etc!  Sorry again, ladies, and thanks for the mixer;)

 Mixer, in the box, where it stayed for a long time...

 BM's minus one - thanks Katie, Melissa, Amanda, and Jen!

 notice how I only have it on stir = scared!

 Yum yum yum!  On a cupcake platter, yes, and I know they aren't cupcakes:)

Totally out of practice!

So, I'm totally out of practice in regards to blogging, and/or I have prego brain!  I remember telling myself yesterday to get my camera out to be ready to take pics of tonight's meal, but did I do it?  Nope!  Oops! 

Like I said, I've been trying to make meals that we can also freeze for post-baby quick/easy meals, but also I've been trying to make easy enough meals so I'm not on my feet for too long.  Hence, a lot of crockpot use, which I love even when not prego:)  Tonight was BBQ kielbasa in the crockpot with sides of mac and cheese, cornbread, and green beans!  Here's the closest picture I could find:

So easy - buy an uncooked piece of kielbasa, about 1 lb or a little more, slice it just like above, and put it into the crockpot.  Cover it with 1 cup bbq sauce, 12 oz Coca Cola or beer (Coca Cola in our case for now, even if it's just for cooking!), and 1/2 cup brown sugar.  Cook on low 6-8 hours and enjoy!  So easy, not only because there are limited ingredients, but also because it involves ingredients you most likely already have!  Also perfect for a day where I was busy like a bee making our holiday cards for friends and family!

Today's craving of choice - Papa Ginos' Cheesy Breadsticks!  I am usually not a fan of Papa Ginos (sorry to my bff and husband who love PG's!) but after another friend mentioning she was having it for dinner last night, I craved them so bad I could smell them!  Oh pregnancy!

Off to get my fill of my nighttime snack - Friendly's Jubilee Roll - yum!!!  Please help with crockpot meals, and also some more meals I can freeze:)   Also, we have a housewarming party to go to this weekend, and I'm bringing a dessert - any recommendations for a large, possibly spread out time-wise crowd with some holiday cheer? 

Glad to be back!

Still here, still pregnant!

Hi everyone!  Long time, no write!!  The last time I posted, it was the exciting news that I was pregnant!  Well, still prego, but almost to my due date!  According to online, my due date is 12/12; according to the doctors, 12/15.  I'll take 12/12;)  The pregnancy has definitely had its up and downs - lots of nausea and other gross stuff, dizziness, and mucho mucho swelling, but I have loved all the baby movement and will miss that when the baby is "out" :)

I've still been cooking of course, and lots of baking since I've been craving sweets like crazy!  I'm trying to do meals where I don't have to be up and around the kitchen too much because of the swelling, but also trying to make meals I can make extra batches of and freeze for when the baby comes.  So far I've made turkey chili, lasagna, chicken, and pulled pork.  Any suggestions??

I hope to be around more often - crazy that I feel like writing again now when the baby will be here so soon!  I'll leave you with what the craziest thing I've eaten and latest cravings!  Hope you'll all stay in touch and I'm looking forward to getting back to reading your blogs!


Craziest thing I've eaten - mixed cheez its, walnuts, and choc chip morsels in a bowl and ate it with a spoon;)

Fave things to eat/crave lately - skinny skinny onion rings (like from a seafood shack), coffee cake, pumpkin pie, bittersweet chocolate, jubilee roll, lots and lots of cheese, and bagels!  Oh, and shrimp sauce! haha!

Oh - I'm at the point where I'm slightly scared to go anywhere - what if my water breaks at the grocery store?? hehe...I still keep going, though, just hoping it doesn't happen - grocery store, mall (Christmas shopping must get done, and thankfully it almost is!), church, you name it, it would be embarrassing!