Baking is Sanity

Over the first weekend of June everything here was red, white and blue bunted for the Jubilee. I jumped on the bandwagon a bit late but still managed to find some (totally overpriced) bunting, a cake stand and little Union Jack sugar decorations for a quick celebratory fix.

I've always kind of liked to bake but over the past month I've found out it's not just a "kind of" thing any more. I need it. It keeps me sane. After making cupcakes one night before Matt got home from work, I realized that I felt happier than I had before I mixed up the ingredients and popped them in the oven. Emmett joins in sometimes, too, with his own shaker of demerera sugar and hundreds and thousands that he sprinkles into a small bowl of flour and stirs with a spoon, and I love when he does but I really love baking by myself. I'm not great at slowing down and following directions but I'm trying and have had fewer catastrophes than usual, thank goodness.

While my parents were here a couple of weeks ago, Mom bought me a cake decorating kit. The Jubilee cupcakes were a quickie job - just a simple swirl and a store bought decoration - but I'm looking forward to baking a cake and really having at it with the icing bag.

I've been trying to keep a cleaner house, too, in order to find a little more happiness. My mom is amazing when it comes to coming up with great organizational ideas so having her here was the jump start I've needed for awhile. Things aren't exactly where I'd like them to be but they're getting there. And it's working. A tidy living room and and a clear kitchen makes me wake up a happier Mommy.

So does Emmett's recent nap schedule. I'm really hoping these two hour naps continue. Some times he wakes up halfway through and needs Mommy's shoulder but, more often, he sleeps through and I get some much needed me time. Hopefully more time to blog which would also make me happier. And knit - I've been working on a dino for Emmett for a couple of months now and I'm totally in love with it but progress is slow.

I've been reading a lot lately, though. Like a crazy amount. A few faves: The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown, The Travelling Matchmaker Series by M.C. Beaton, Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth, Delirium  by Lauren Oliver and On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves. FIction, romance, YA distopian fiction, self published novels - I've been devouring them. Any recommendations?

I think I might try to change the blog layout around, too. A fresh start since it's been so long. Let's start with actually getting to blog once in awhile, though....

P.S. My bunting is still hanging in the window. I like it so much I might just leave it there...at least until the Olympics are over. :)