So.. a year disappears so quickly, doesn’t it? August is ending and Christmas just seems to be sneaking up on me. My family has started doing an exchange between the adults, instead of giving gifts to everyone. We do 2 exchanges; one is a store-bought gift with a limit, the other is a home-made gift (with a limit that we sometimes ignore). We draw names right after Christmas so we all have a year to plan and work on our projects.

Now, the person I got, I immediately thought of several ideas of what to make. Which, is really good, because some people are much harder than others! Anyway, here it is, August 28th and while I have ideas, I have not started a thing on it. Yesterday I narrowed down to exactly what I am making, what my timeline is for it, and what my back up plan is should I not finish in time. I seriously vow that next year I will start sooner.

One thing I’m really going to hate about this is not being able to post pictures and updates about what I’m making because that person can’t see it! So I will have to post after Christmas.

Of course, that’s given I have a camera to take pictures of the progress. I sure hope I do. As I said earlier this week, last weekend my camera died. I looked online and it looks like a fairly common problem; there are two screws inside the camera that often come loose, fall and then short out the camera. So, I am hoping once I have $90 to fix it, that will be that and I’ll be back to shooting again.

In the mean time, I am trying desperately to finish the birthday Christmas scarf for Andrew. I love this pattern. It is just rather time consuming working it because it’s 12 rows that are all slightly different, so I have to pay close attention to which I am on. There is cabling, which I seriously love. It’s not difficult but looks beautiful. My new goal is to knit (at least) a set of 12 rows each day. That way I can hope to be done in time to mail for Christmas.

Since my camera is out of commission (sad face), I took a quick picture with my phone.

The picture quality sucks but at least you can see I made progress. I’m going to attempt an extra set of 12 rows today, for bonus points. Haha!

Preheat oven to 375.

Whisk together:
1-1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

In an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, mix:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1-1/2 cups sugar

Mix un medium-high speed until pale and fluffy.

Mix in:
1/2 cup melted and cooled unsalted butter

Add:
1 large egg
1-1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Mix until creamy.

Reduce to low and gradually add flour mixture. Mix until just combined.

Add 1/2 cup to 1 cup chocolate chips (optional).

Using a 2 tablespoon scoop, drop dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake 12 minutes, edges will be firm. Let cool on pan for 2 minutes before moving to cooling rack.

Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days.

So.. I know, this isn’t a baby blog. I’m sorry. But look at these adorable feet:

One of my favorite parts today was photographing big sister Esther holding sweet precious Naomi. I hope to get some shots with Jared being a big brother, too.

So.. today was one long day! I woke up at 7 to get to the farmer’s market to buy boysenberries, then had to stop at my mom’s for oranges, the grocery store for some more supplies, a quick stop for gas and then to the real work – baking 100 cupcakes!

Half the cupcakes were Orange Cream with a delicious Orange-Infused Swiss Meringue Buttercream and the other half were Boysenberry Cupcakes with Boysenberry Swiss Meringue Buttercream. I have to say, the orange ones were absolutely to die for. (The boysenberry was good too, but I’m telling you, the orange ones remind me of creamsicles. Yum.)

All went well, the cupcakes tasted and looked fantastic and I hope the bride & groom and all the guests had a great time.

And to top it off, I just got signed on to do another wedding next month. And this time, 200 guests! Bring it!

Baby booties

Petal bib

Baby hat

Laid out, these look like a creepy alien

Much better with a model. Can’t wait to take pics of Naomi!

Instead of a gift bag, I knit a purse. I’m working on finishing the handle and attaching it.

I’ve also updated my current projects; Andrew’s Christmas Scarf and my Vegan Farrow Rib Scarf.

So.. this is about as simple as you can get.

Simple cake with such amazing flavor and the perfect crumb. I used a dark chocolate buttercream frosting, but I think I need to try it with maybe some kind of vanilla. With sprinkles.