My Bathroom Oasis

So, here I am. Returning to my computer (a new one, I might add) to write a quick blog explaining (again) why I haven't blogged much lately. I know I don't have to answer to any of you, so the need to write is mostly for myself, but HEY, maybe you will relate.

I started reading a book this week, 'How to Declutter your Home and your Life'. If you know me at all (or have even read a few of my blogs), you know I am a bit compulsive about organization and planning. So when I saw this title as a free Kindle download, I thought it sounded like a great book for me. As I quickly read the 1st 4 chapters (very easy reading), I didn't read anything much that I didn't already 'know', but the author's wording brought a few things full circle for me. She addressed the fact that we will often not enjoy certain activities when the area/room where that activity would occur is cluttered or messy. Logical enough, right? But, reading her words helped me realize how the many goals I have set for myself (many I am sure you have heard/read about) are still not happening because of the clutter and mess around me. LIGHTBULB! It's no wonder I am not making 'ME' time a priority when all I see is the mess.

 Now, I know some of you may be thinking, 'your house cluttered?', but alas, it is. I had made a list at the start of the year of some 'Deep Cleaning' and organizational jobs to attack as I had extra time, thinking that this would make these bigger tasks easier and less daunting. BUT NO! The truth is that that is not how my brain functions. I have to jump in completely and just attack the whole thing. This process is quite time consuming (especially with my little helpers) and can often cause stress as it can appear that more messes are being made as stuff is moved out of one room and piled in another (ie. our kitchen). I can see past those messes, though, and see the finish line.

That said, I am on day 4 of this massive cleaning and decluttering adventure. As to the title of this post, the one room that is currently completely cleaned is our bathroom. In addition to the regular bathroom cleaning, I scrubbed the tub, wiped down the walls, and scrubbed the door frame and door. I even stood on a chair in the tub to scrub the mildew off of the walls and ceiling (gross). While my bathroom looks nothing like the one pictured below (but a girl can dream, right), it is the cleanest it has been in almost 2 years (I paid someone to clean my house before I had Raia and she did a pretty fabulous job too). So as a current task starts to overwhelm me, I escape to the bathroom for a few moments of quiet and to play some Words with Friends.



The Finish Line is close .. only a few days more. You will see me back when I have crossed it!!

What's Cookin' Good Lookin'?

One of the things I have decided to share through my blog are yummy recipes. I know I will often share a post or a status on Facebook where I talk about something I am making or have made and people ask for the recipe, and then I forget to share it. So goes my life sometimes, forgetting ... Anyways, I have made it my goal to post a recipe here every Tuesday. If you have been one of those people who have requested a recipe which I forgot to share, please kindly remind me and I will get it on here! I am going to Kick-Off this new goal with a Fabulous recipe for Sugar Cookies, just in time for Valentines Day. Enjoy!!

Lola's White Sugar Cookies

• 3 Cups All-Purpose Flour
• 1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
• 1 Stick Unsalted Butter, softened
• 3/4 Cup Sugar
• 1 Large Egg
• 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 Cup Buttermilk

Step 1: Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together.

Step 2: With electric mixer on med-high speed, beat butter and 1/2 cup sugar together until fluffy (about 2 minutes). Reduce speed to med. and add in the egg and vanilla, beating until combined.

Step 3: Add the flour mixture and buttermilk alternately in 2 batches, beating until incorporated.

Step 4: Press the dough into a 4-inch disk and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until well chilled, at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.

Step 5: When ready to cut out and bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with wax or parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to a 1/4 inch thick circle and cut out desired shapes (it is recommended to stay at a 2 1/2 inch size or smaller). Place on your baking sheet and sprinkle remaining sugar lightly over the cookies.

Step 6: Bake on the middle rack, approx. 12-15 minutes, or until edges are just golden brown. (NOTE: These cookies bake up, not out, so you don't have to leave a lot of space between them.) Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 2 minutes and then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Step 7: Re-roll dough and repeat cutting and baking steps. :) In my recipe book, it says that this will make 24 cookies, but it really depends on the shapes/cutters you use. I made these for Christmas and had way more than 24 cookies. It also recommends baking these cookies one batch at a time and to use a fresh or cooled baking sheet for each batch.

Step 8: Once cooled, you can decorate as you wish. They should be stored in an airtight container, for up to 3 days according to the book. I stored mine in the fridge for about a week (gotta remember it has the buttermilk) .. if they last that long ;).


I absolutely loved these Sugar Cookies because they don't have a lot of sugar!! Yet, they still taste sweet and yummy!! They bake up and taste a lot like scones (which I really like) and make a great coffee companion. Happy Baking!

**This recipe is from the wonderful cookbook, America's Best Lost Recipes. Wanna Buy it? Check it out on Amazon, http://amzn.com/1933615184.**