These are a few of my favorite things
(Mostly baked goods)
This fall/winter I’ve been feeling really pulled towards baking and crafting and such. I think part of it is the natural slowness and coziness of the season, and part of it is being in the second trimester (!) and actually having some physical energy and mental bandwidth. Very very thankful!
My dad got me a beautiful enamel Dutch oven for my birthday, and since then I have been baking bread with reckless abandon. This is the recipe I’ve been using in case anyone wants to try it. It’s so easy! Am I looking down on my former self who wouldn’t take two minutes to stir together some flour and yeast? Of course. Will I still buy bread from the store when I don’t want to take two minutes to stir together some flour and yeast? Of course.
I also had fun making these delightful orange and bell decorations inspired by Kristin Haakenson from Hearthstone Fables. They have been such a sweet, simple addition to our home. I put our air fryer on the “dehydrate” setting to dry the orange slices, but according to Kristin’s post you could also keep them in the oven on super low heat. (Btw, Kristin is such a great follow! I’ve been learning so much from her, especially during this Advent season.)
Warm, gooey, homemade chocolate chip cookies with a glass of milk cannot be beat, and that is exactly what I was craving the other day. I tried the recipe on the back of a King Arthur flour bag on a whim, and it turned out perfectly. The boys desperately wanted to help so I *graciously* let them stir in the chocolate chips at the end. Maybe one day I will be saintly enough to let them help with a recipe from start to finish. Parents who cook/bake with your littles—how do you do it?!
I would be remiss if I was talking recipes and didn’t mention this scrumptious apple cake! It came together in a flash and tasted amazing. We took it to a friend’s house for dessert one night, and the next morning I had the leftovers with a cup of coffee which was possibly even better than the dessert version.
On a final little “creative” note, I briefly resurrected my Ardmore Oats energy bite business to participate in a local Christmas market this past weekend! Goodness I forgot how much work it all is. Ha. But the event was SO much fun and Josh and I were talking about making it a tradition to participate every year if we can. Below is my stellar setup and cleanup crew!
Ok, that’s all I’ve got for today. How are you all leaning into the coziness of the season? Do you have any traditions for celebrating Advent? (We are still figuring that second one out, so I’d love to hear any tips!)
Happy baking and eating and cozying up and all the holiday things!
I have always been super intimidated by homemade bread, but I am going to try that recipe you shared. Thank you!
Oh my gosh this was the cozy, carb heavy, post I needed and your decorations are LOVELY! Okay. I am a person who lets my kids in the kitchen and I think it’s because my parents let me in the kitchen as a kid and that’s a significant ingredient (ba dum pa tshhh) in my love for the kitchen as an adult. I don’t let my kids help all the time and they do drive me nuts at least 75% of the time BUT my four year old can crack and scramble eggs, chop fruits and veggies, measure ingredients and stir at the stove. I actually got her Molly Yeh’s cookbook for Christmas. We love to watch her cooking show in the mornings. I’m starting to see the fruits (AGAIN WITH THE PUNS) of letting them in. A lot of times I’ll pick a recipe I know they’ll enjoy and go into it with the mindset that we’re doing it together and it won’t turn out perfectly. They really like to bake.