Baking 101

At first, I was a little nervous about what August would bring. For months, when my life was so busy running from one happy event to another, packing, unpacking, and not sleeping enough, I dreamed of August. Our weekends were mostly free and I already knew exactly how I was going to spend each relaxing minute. Then, as August started creeping up on me, I was worried that I would be bored. I couldn't' remember the last time I had nothing to do and no schedule to stick to. 

Now that August is finally here, I realize there was no reason to worry. There is still plenty to do to keep me busy, and I have time to focus on fun projects I have been waiting for the time to complete. The number one thing on that list is baking. Though I am not an avid baker, I really enjoy it. As an added bonus, Josh likes eating too! For months I have seen recipes floating around online that I have been dying to try. Last night was as good a time as any to give one a whirl. I have to say, in the kitchen, Josh and I make a pretty good team...now that is.

I vividly remember the first time Josh and I baked together. It was just a few weeks into our relationship when everything was still very new. We were both pretty nervous around one another, full of butterflies and an overall giddiness about the situation. There was an air of excitement and possibility every time we hung out.

After work on a Friday afternoon, I stopped by Josh's apartment before heading over to my parents' house for dinner. The plan was for us to take a walk to a nearby park and hang out for an hour or so. However, in what I have now learned is typical Josh fashion, the day had gotten away from him and he still needed to make something to bring to a friend's house. I happily agreed to help.

Josh was in charge of the dough and I was slicing peaches. At some point, while slicing and trying to be cute/funny/interesting, I dropped a peach on the floor. If that were to happen now, I would laugh, grab another peach, and move on. That day I was mortified! Here I was trying to be so perfect and I wound up making a mess. Josh teased me a little bit, but mostly showed concern that I had cut myself (I was cut free, just a little klutzy). Thank goodness, later on in the afternoon, Josh put the wrong ingredient in the pie. It is funny to say, but I was relieved that I was not the only one who was embarrassed making silly mistakes. We were both too caught up in our new relationship to concentrate on anything, much less follow a recipe!

Luckily, last night's baking attempt went much smoother. No one dropped anything and we used all of the proper ingredients. I love how we work so well as a team in the kitchen. It makes every day tasks more exciting and feels less like work. But most of all, I love the rare occasion where we will get flustered around one another.    

Now that it is August and we still have a few more weeks before Josh goes back to school and our lives get busy again, I'm excited to try out many more new recipes. Who knows? We could find our new favorite treat or make a mess baking and find those old feelings of giddiness and excitement over our next creation.

Do you have any favorite recipes you have tried this summer? Any good cooking stories? Please share!