Christmas (No) Baking

Just finished with my Christmas (no) baking after a couple hours in the kitchen. Last year I did a lot of different kinds of cookies: chocolate chip from scratch, snickers surprises, sugar cookies, etc, but this year we had a lot of things in pantry that needed to be used up so I did a little no-baking! I also got a lot of coupons for free chocolate chips and refrigerated (side note: I dont know how to spell refrigerate with out specll check-I always want to put a 'd' in it!) chocolate chip cookie dough (the break and bake kind) those expired on 12/31/10-so I needed to bake them up too. This year it was puppy chow-we had left over chex cereal that wasn't going anywhere fast, no bake cookies-oats that my boss gave me because she wouldn't use them, the chocolate chip cookies, and I guess I did bake a little-chocolate cupcakes so that I could put red and green sprinkles on them for Jake's work for tomorrow. Even though I didn't make anything from 'scratch' or bake much I still had tons of dishes! That's the part I hate about cooking or baking. an you tell chocolate and peanut butter are my favorite? I thought about making peanut butter fudge, but I think I'll save that for next year...I'm tired!

Later tonight we are going on a drive to look at Christmas lights. Jake knows of some houses in Avon/Brownsburg that have music that plays through the radio so he's going to take me on a ride-we might get ice cream too (mmmmm)!

Belly Ache

Today I went for a long walk in the park while Jake was at work. I figured that I could use some time out of the apartment and it was so nice out today, loved the cool breeze. I did my walking at Armstrong park where was speed walking, pumping my arms and all, as I breezed by other walkers at the park. This gave me some sort of high and made me want to do it longer and faster! Weird, I know, but it reminded me of track meets in middle school as I gained momentum as I passed other competitors. After all that, I had a slight cramp in my leg.

After that I went to get groceries and then back home to do a little cleaning before showering for the picnic. The cookies did not win anything, not 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place, but I understand no one wants to choose an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie made with whole wheat flour and splenda as the top cookie..that's just not right. Although, with all bias aside, the cookie that won was a shortbread tasting-not my taste kind of cookie, and the runner up was not even a cookie it was a bar! 3rd place was actually delicious a double chocolate something with white and chocolate chips in it and should have placed. I was saving myself for all the cookies and of course I had to sample each of them, but when we got home I had a huge belly ache! But next year, I want to know the criteria for the next competition.

Things I'm looking forward to this week:

1) Job interviews & follow ups (I need a job bad)

2) Jake's 2 days off!! Woot Woot :)

3) Dinner already planned for the whole week

4) Possibly seeing Ginny & Dustins new place

5)Fresh Indiana canteloupe from Meijer!

I cant believe its August...but I feel like I say that about every month and every new year! First year I wont be going back to school. Weird!