Livin' the Dream in Lima

Last year, about this time, I embarked on my first ever blog challenge. I challenged myself to bake twenty-five different types of Christmas cookies, and blog about them. I called it the "25 Days of Christmas Cookies." I almost  completed the challenge, but slacked off a bit on Days 24 & 25. (aka Christmas Eve & Christmas. I might have been a bit pre-occupied with other things...) This year, I thought about doing the same challenge, but as my students would say, "That's doin' too much." Heh. Honestly, it was a lot of work, a lot of time, a lot of ingredients, and a lot of cookies! So this year I've decided to do just "12 Days of Christmas Cookies". Still lots of fun but not as overwhelming. I'll be starting tomorrow, so make sure to check back each day from December 1st through 12th for a fun new holiday treat! If you're interested in seeing what I made last year, here it is! They include some of my family favorites, al...

Today is November 1st. That means one thing, and one thing only - time to get ready for Christmas ! I can now 'officially' listen to Christmas music (Michael Buble's new album is awesome!), plan Christmas festivities, make Christmas gifts, and bake to my heart's content. Since the Christmas season is the baking season, I thought I'd share with you a list of baked goods/food items on my Baking Bucket List. These are recipes/methods that I find a bit intimidating (or that I just have never had the chance to make) that I would like to tackle sooner or later. (But sooner, really.) Since the months of November and December gives me even more  excuses to bake, hopefully I'll get to try some of these over the next several weeks! Doughnuts. From scratch. Deep-fried and all. I've had my eye on this recipe for Apple Cider Doughnuts for quite some time now. The hot oil scares me. From Sweet Pea's Kitchen Bourbon Pecan Pie Brownies. I've had thi...