Most Important Calendar a Baker Can Possess

Thanks to our friends at Best Friends For Frosting, and (our forever favorite dessert-blogger) Sweetapolita for reposting - I've come across this FANTASTIC Directory List of National Dessert Days!! As a baker myself, and dessert-lover to my core - I find this to be the MOST important list of dates a girl could have. So, naturally, I had to share. Enjoy! I better start the workout routines now, because I'm seeing a lot of "Celebration Desserts" in my near future ;)

January

January 2 National Cream Puff Day
January 3 National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day
January 5 National Whipped Cream Day
January 6 National Shortbread Day
January 8 National English Toffee Day
January 9 National Apricot Day
January 10 National Bittersweet Chocolate Day
January 12 National Marzipan Day
January 13 National Peach Melba Day
January 15 National Strawberry Ice Cream Day
January 16 National Fig Newton Day
January 20 National Buttercrunch Day
January 21 National Granola Bar Day
January 22 National Blonde Brownie Day
January 23 National Pie Day
January 23 National Rhubarb Pie Day
January 24 National Peanut Butter Day
January 25 National Irish Coffee Day
January 26 National Peanut Brittle Day
January 26 National Pistachio Day
January 30 National Croissant Day

February

February 1 National Baked Alaska Day
February 3 National Carrot Cake Day
February 8 National Molasses Bar Day
February 10 National Cream Cheese Brownie Day
February 11 National Peppermint Patty Day
February 12 National Plum Pudding Day
February 14 National Cream-Filled Chocolates Day
February 15 National Gumdrop Day
February 16 National Almond Day
February 17 National Indian Pudding Day
February 19 National Chocolate Mint Day
February 20 National Cherry Pie Day
February 21 National Sticky Bun Day
February 23 National Banana Bread Day
February 24 National Tortilla Chip Day
February 25 National Chocolate-Covered Peanuts Day
February 26 National Pistachio Day
February 27 National Chocolate Cake Day
February 27 National Strawberry Day
February 27 National Kahlua Day
February 28 National Chocolate Souffle Day

March

March 1 National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day
March 1 National Fruit Compote Day
March 2 National Banana Cream Pie Day
March 4 National Poundcake Day
March 6 National White Chocolate Cheesecake Day
March 8 National Peanut Cluster Day
March 10 National Blueberry Popover Day
March 13 National Coconut Torte Day
March 15 National Peanut Lovers Day
March 15 National Pears Helene Day
March 18 National Lacy Oatmeal Cookie Day
March 19 National Chocolate Caramel Day
March 24 National Chocolate Covered Raisins Day
March 26 National Nougat Day
March 28 National Black Forest Cake Day
March 29 National Lemon Chiffon Cake Day

April
April 2 National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
April 3 National Chocolate Mousse Day
April 5 National Raisin & Spice Bar Day
April 6 National Caramel Popcorn Day
April 7 National Coffee Cake Day
April 9 National Chinese Almond Cookie Day
April 10 National Cinnamon Crescent Day
April 12 National Licorice Day
April 13 National Peach Cobbler Day
April 14 National Pecan Day
April 18 National Animal Crackers Day
April 20 National Pineapple Upside-down Cake Day
April 21 National Chocolate-Covered Cashews Day
April 22 National Jelly Bean Day
April 23 National Cherry Cheesecake Day
April 25 National Zucchini Bread Day
April 28 National Blueberry Pie Day
April 30 National Oatmeal Cookie Day

May

May 1-7 National Raisin Week
May 1 National Chocolate Parfait Day
May 3 National Raspberry Popover Day
May 3 National Chocolate Custard Day
May 4 National Candied Orange Peel Day
May 6 National Crepe Suzette Day
May 8 National Coconut Cream Pie Day
May 12 National Nutty Fudge Day
May 13 National Apple Pie Day
May 17 National Cherry Cobbler Day
May 19 National Devil’s Food Cake Day
May 22 National Vanilla Pudding Day
May 23 National Taffy Day
May 26 National Blueberry Cheesecake Day
May 31 National Macaroon day

June

National Candy Month

June 1 National Hazelnut Cake Day
June 2 National Rocky Road Day
June 3 Donut Day (1st Friday in June)
June 3 National Chocolate Macaroon Day
June 5 National Gingerbread Day
June 6 National Applesauce Cake Day
June 7 National Chocolate Ice Cream Day
June 9 National Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie Day
June 11 National German Chocolate Cake Day
June 12 National Peanut Butter Cookie Day
June 13 Kitchen Klutzes of America Day
June 14 National Strawberry Shortcake Day
June 16 National Fudge Day
June 17 National Apple Strudel Day
June 17 National Cherry Tart Day
June 21 National Peaches & Cream Day
June 22 National Chocolate Eclair Day
June 23 National Pecan Sandies Day
June 24 National Pralines Day
June 25 National Strawberry Parfait Day
June 26 National Chocolate Pudding Day
June 29 National Almond Buttercrunch Day

July
National Ice Cream Month

July 1 National Gingersnap Day
July 3 National Chocolate Wafer Day
July 5 National Apple Turnover Day
July 7 National Strawberry Sundae Day
July 7 National Macaroni Day
July 8 National Milk Chocolate with Almonds Day
July 9 National Sugar Cookie Day
July 10 National Pina Colada Day
July 11 National Blueberry Muffin Day
July 12 National Pecan Pie Day
July 15 National Tapioca Pudding Day
July 17 National Peach Ice Cream Day
July 20 National Ice Cream Day
July 20 National Lollipop Day
July 21 National Creme Brulee Day
July 22 National Penuche Day
July 23 National Vanilla Ice Cream Day
July 25 National Hot Fudge Sundae Day
July 28 National Milk Chocolate Day
July 30 National Cheesecake Day
July 31 National Raspberry Cake Day

August

August 1 National Raspberry Cream Pie Day
August 2 National Ice Cream Sandwich Day
August 2 National Ice Cream Soda Day
August 3 National Watermelon Day
August 4 National Chocolate Chip Day
August 6 National Root Beer Float Day
August 7 Raspberries ‘n Cream Day
August 8 National Frozen Custard Day
August 9 National Rice Pudding Day
August 10 National S’mores Day
August 11 National Raspberry Bombe Day
August 14 National Creamsicle Day
August 15 National Lemon Meringue Pie Day
August 17 National Vanilla Custard Day
August 18 National Ice Cream Pie Day
August 19 National Soft Ice Cream Day
August 20 National Chocolate Pecan Pie Day
August 21 National Spumoni Day
August 22 National Pecan Torte Day
August 23 National Spongecake Day
August 24 National Peach Pie Day
August 25 National Banana Split Day
August 26 National Cherry Popsicle Day
August 27 National Pots de Creme Day
August 28 National Cherry Turnovers Day
August 30 National Toasted Marshmallow Day

September

September 8 National Date-Nut Bread Day
September 12 National Chocolate Milkshake Day
September 14 National Cream-Filled Donut Day
September 15 National Creme de Menthe Day
September 16 National Cinnamon-Raisin Bread Day
September 17 National Apple Dumpling Day
September 19 National Butterscotch Pudding Day
September 20 National Punch Day
September 21 National Pecan Cookie Day
September 22 National White Chocolate Day
September 26 National Pancake Day
September 28 National Strawberry Cream Pie Day
September 30 National Mulled Cider Day

October

National Apple Month
National Caramel Month
National Cookie Month
National Cookie Month
National Dessert Month 
October 9 National Dessert Day
October 10 National Angel Food Cake Day
October 13 National Peanut Festival
October 13 National Pumpkin Festival
October 18 National Chocolate Cupcake Day
October 20 National Brandied Fruit Day
October 22 National Nut Day
October 23 National Boston Cream Pie Day
October 26 National Mincemeat Day
October 28 National Chocolate Day
October 29 National Oatmeal Day
October 30 National Candy Corn Day

November

National Fun with Fondue Month
National Georgia Pecan Month
National Peanut Butter Lover’s Month
National Raisin Bread Month

November 1-7 – National Fig Week
November 4 National Candy Day
November 5 National Doughnut Day
November 7 National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day
November 10 National Vanilla Cupcake Day
November 13 National Indian Pudding Day
November 15 National Spicy Hermit Cookie Day
November 20 National Peanut Butter Fudge Day
November 23 National Cashew Day
November 25 National Parfait Day
November 26 National Cake Day
November 27 National Bavarian Cream Pie Day
November 28 National French Toast Day
November 29 National Chocolates Day
November 30 National Mousse Day

December

December 1 National Pie Day
December 2 National Fritters Day
December 4 National Cookie Day
December 5 National Sacher Torte Day
December 6 National Gazpacho Day
December 7 National Cotton Candy Day
December 8 National Brownie Day
December 9 National Pastry Day
December 12 National Ambrosia Day
December 13 National Cocoa Day
December 15 National Lemon Cupcake Day
December 16 National Chocolate Covered Anything Day
December 24 National Egg Nog Day
December 25 National Pumpkin Pie Day
December 26 National Candy Cane Day
December 27 National Fruitcake Day
December 30 National Bicarbonate of Soda Day

30 Day Photo Challenge & Contest

I came across this 30 Day Photo Challenge (though Pinterest of course) @White Peach Photography's Blog yesterday and have decided to do it! As well, I've decided to make a contest out of it for those who commit to the challenge with me! 

I've come across of such "challenges" in the past but never done them. Some of them were 365 days or longer (freaked out my commitment issues since I've never done one yet) & some just didn't seem that entertaining to do. However, I've always wanted to and think it's time to try it out. I mean, why not?

30 days. Not that long, not that challenging. 

So, it's on. 

I'm going to start THIS Sunday for my Day 1 Challenge.

I will take a picture each day for 30 days to meet the daily photo request & 30 days from Sunday I will post my entire blog of the 30 pictures (Yes, I'm going to keep you waiting all 30 days). I think it'll be fun to look back on the photos at once and really capture the challenge overall, in a sense.

I think it will be really fun to look back at 30 days worth of photos and really catalog a month's worth of memories into one blog. 

& I decided that if I do get through all 30 days, I will take on the 365 day challenge next :) 

So join me! I challenge you! I'm sure there will be a fun, entertaining & self-rewarding experience included in the challenge. 

Scratch that I know there will be. 

& to sweeten the pot - whoever does do the challenge with me and reposts to my blog their 30 day challenge post - will be entered into a giveaway to win some sweets from my bakery!

So there you go! Challenge kicks off this Sunday, and I will repost 30 days from then! Hope to see you at the finish line! 

"Hospital Survival Kit" for New Mommys! (With Printables!)

I've recently discovered Pinterest.

Soon after that discovery, I recently discovered that I must have an addictive-personality because I quickly and helplessly have become obsessed with Pinterest. The idea of finding and sharing great sites & ideas with strangers at the click of a "pin it" button - is strangly entertaining and quite addicting. I seriously could write a whole blog on my love of Pinterest, however, that's not the purpose of this blog (but probably will be the focus of another one very soon!)

Right after I had been exposed to this amazing site, I decided to test out their "search" bar. I knew that one of my dear friends Stephanie was scheduled for a C-section in a few days and wanted to see if Pinterest could help me with, yet another, creative and fun way to help me with a project. I typed in "new mommy gifts" and Boom! Just like that, multiple Pins popped up on the same blog called: "The Hospital Survival Kit for New Mommys" and, just like that, I knew what I had to do :) 

I, myself, have not yet had the experience of childbirth, or a hospital stay at all (Thank my luck stars for that one). However, I know a lot of friends that have and I always try and do something special for them because, let's face it, bringing a human being into the world cannot be a walk in the park for any woman, no matter how much of a pretty smile she puts on. And I also know that once that little bundle-of-joy arrives, there are swarms of people coming in and out wanting to hold and talk and ask about everything (I know because I do it, lol!). 

Instead of the normal flowers & card I take when people have their baby, I wanted something more personal... I suppose I was seeking for more of a tradition to start amongst myself and friends. And with the help of that search bar, Pinterest & Jen @MyOwnRoad answered my questions with the simple post of a pin. & I'm so happy she did :)

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So! Without gabbing anymore than I already have, here it is :) 

The whole purpose of The Mommy Survival Kit for Hospitals is to put together a little "care package" of things that the Mommy-to-be may have forgotten when leaving for her hospital stay. Or just things that could help her stay more comfortable, because as we know, hospitals are the furthest from "cozy". In Jen's blog, she packed her Kit with the following things:

For those of you know me, you know that I'm a bit of a Baking-finatic. Any opportunity or excuse to bake something, I'm all for. And for those of you also know me, you know that I tend (almost always) to get carried away. So, to no surprise of my own, I got a little carried away with Stephanie's care package, however, it was well-worth it :)

In Miss Stephanie's Kit, these were the essentials: 

--A few Us Weekly Magazines (because what girl doesn't like to get her celebrity gossip on?!)

--A Bag of Donuts & some juice for a quick & tasty breakfast in the mornings (It's nothing too fancy, but I figured it surely beats Hospital food)

--Some simple refreshments that are "breast-feeding" approved: Sprites, Waters, etc.

--Some breath-mints & gum for quick ways of "freshening up" between and before all the visitors and greetings when people are arriving at all times of day & night

--Then, of course, the goodies. 

This was the most important part of my Kit. It was the heart of the Kit. I knew that Stephanie was having her C-section and knew I wanted to make her a special treat or dessert of her choice to bring to the hospital when I went (I do it with everyone because, like I said, any excuse to bake something I'm all for!) Steph told me before that she really liked Cinnamon Rolls & Pumpkin Cupcakes, so that part was the easiest :)

--I baked a fresh batch of Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes, using my own recipe found HERE, as well as a fresh batch of Cinnamon Rolls the night before her C-section (so they were nice and fresh and would be able to last the whole week she'd be in the hospital). 

 For her cinnamon rolls I was short on time and bought the Pillsbury ones you pop in the oven & bake for 15 minutes, however, next time I make Cinnamon Rolls, there is a recipe from my all-time favorite food-blogger Sweetapolita. She has an amazing Cinnamon Roll Recipe here that I've been dying to try! But anyways back to the kit (space-kadet here); I packaged up her goodies once they cooled and added them in the kit and, Vuala! It was complete! 

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Once the Kit was all done & put together, it was time time to add the Printables! (Because presentation is everything!) And the cute printables that Jen added in her blog made the whole package that much more perfect & complete! Here is what the Kit looks like once complete, along with the link so you can download and print the printables for your own kit!

 Once you get your printables cut out and added to your bag, your Kit is complete! 

& There it is folks: An overview of "The Hospital Survival Kit for New Mommys"

Oh and, with her permission, Here's some picture of Stephanie's stay at the hospital with her (now one-week-old) newborn, Zoey Grace<3

The glowing mama before her C-section

Congratulations again to the Woolery family! Much love to Stephanie, Teddy & Eden (Who's now a big sister!)

Here's a picture of the Kit once it was open & getting enjoyed!

Here's a picture of me meeting Baby Zoey, she's such a little princess<3

I hoped this help you with coming up with a fun & personal idea for something to do for someone special who's planning on a stay in the hospital. It doesn't have to just be for Expecting-Mom's, it could really be for any person who's going to be staying in the hospital! I definitely will be doing this for all my friends now, as I found my special "tradition" :)

Speaking from the Heart

My friend Lisa (of "Tales of a Young Housewife" Blog) posted a blog the other day that brought tears to my eyes. I wanted to share it with my followers & friends in hopes of spreading awareness, and possibly finding more help for this heartbreaking story. Please read & share with your friends as well. Thank you<3

"My friend Chantell knows a mom who is raising money for her little 5 month old daughter, Jasmine, to get a new heart.  can you imagine?  5 months old.  

In order to raise money for this special cause, they are having a snapshot photo competition.  the winner gets a 10" plaque with your child's picture on it.  you can enter as many photos as you want, $2 a photo.  please send money via paypal to lees508@cox.net. (Include child's name in paypal notes!)  post your entry pictures to their Facebook or email them to akuserup@gmail.com"

APPLE PIE that's sure to keep the doctor away!

What would Pie Week be without the most popular pie: APPLE?! There are so many variations for apple pie, so many different additions & versions of the pie. I decided, for my first time at making an apple pie from scratch, to stick with a simple (failproof) apple pie recipe. My favorite part about this recipe is the amount of apples in it! The crust could barely cover them! That's always a good sign you're on the right track with your apple pie :)

FAILPROOF APPLE PIE:
(Sure to keep the doctors away with how many apples are in it!)

INGREDIENTS:

--Double-Crust Recipe for Pie Crust (or ONE box of refrigerated pie crust, thawed for 15 minutes)

--1/3 to 1/2 cup sugar

--1/4 cup Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

--1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

--1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

--1/8 teaspoon salt
--8 medium Granny Smith (green) apples
--2 tablespoons butter or margarine

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As with all fruit, it's important to RINSE before using. I recently came across a really informative article here on the importance of this step and now I make sure NEVER to forget!

For the peeling, coring & cutting of the apples - here are your two best friends. YES that IS a potato-peeler, and it works like magic on your apples to peel them super fast, without the risk of cutting off your finger (because I'm a klutz and cannot peel without doing so until I discovered this trick)

Before you begin cutting your apples, you're going to need to get a LARGE bowl (for all these apples!) and mix the sugar, 1/4 cup flour, the cinnamon, nutmeg and 1/8 teaspoon salt.

Peel all of the apples - How nice was it with the potato peeler?? It seriously has saved me about 10 fingers since discovering I could use that instead of a kitchen knife.

Once you've peeled all your apples, grab that SECOND super-useful tool (The apple cutter/corer) and core away! Then slice into thin pieces (I like to leave them semi-big slices just so there's nice big chunks in the pieces. However, some prefer smaller pieces, so to each his own on that one! :)

Pour all the apples into the sugar mix and mix really well. You can use a spatula or spoon, I started with that and ended up elbow-deep with my hands because I couldn't seem to mix the dry throughout the apples. So, when all else fails - use your hands! (Just make sure to wash really well beforehand obviously)

Pour the apple mixture into your pie shell and stack all the apples into the shell so that they all fit. It will stand very tall, but that's the good part of this pie! LOTS of apples!

Once your apples mixture is in there securely, get your 2 Tablespoons of butter and cut into slices and place over the apple mixture (like pictured)

Once your mixture is securely in the pie shell. Get your other pie crust and unfold over the apple mixture. Go slowly so you don't tear your crust as you try and cover the entire mixture.

Then trim overhanging edge 1 inch from rim of plate. Then seal & fold edges, pressing on rim to seal; for how to do the FLUTED pie crust, check out this video on Youtube.

Cover edge with 2- to 3-inch strip of foil to prevent excessive browning.

 

 Bake 40 to 50 minutes or until crust is brown and juice begins to bubble through slits in crust, removing foil for last 15 minutes of baking. Serve warm with ICE CREAM :)