Alayna's Adventures

On Monday, October 10, I drove away from my last day of work before maternity leave for baby number two and I was filled with a certain mixture of emotion.  Emotion that I'm not sure I can describe yet, but will undoubtedly be sorted out in the coming weeks and months ahead.  In the emotion I think that there was a bit of uncertainty, a bit of finality, and some fear and apprehension.  It may have been my last time driving away from my job.  Which is scary to think, admit and write.  I called my hubby as I drove away and left a rather disjointed voicemail, unsure of what exactly to say or what I was even feeling.  There was no fanfare, no big exit, no cake or balloons, no big deal really.  I wasn't expecting such theatrics, but it made the exit and drive anticlimactic and weird in a way.  For the last seven plus years, I have had a good job, a job that pays well and has always allowed me the work-life balance that my family has needed.  Before kids, I worked fu

So this nesting thing is super hardcore.  I just have to say in the last 24 hours I have now made a coconut cream pie with homemade crust, an apple crumble pie with homemade crust, two loaves of pumpkin banana bread (had four bananas to use up), applesauce (cut up too many apples for the apple pie), and a pizza from scratch (Isaiah wanted pizza).  Oh my.  I must be a glutton for punishment, or maybe just a glutton.  After my hours of baking yesterday, which included both pies and the applesauce, I was so very tired and my feet were swollen! I wanted to showcase my little helper who helped mommy make some pumpkin banana bread.   Isaiah really just wanted to use the mixer, which as a good mother, I could not allow...  But he did stir the batter a little for me.  Oh boys will be boys!! He's such a sweet one, and he loves to help!  Now on to the recipe...  Pumpkin Banana Bread Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour (one loaf, or 40 minutes if using mini loa

Part One of Alayna's Adventures in Baking... So I think I have definitely been nesting lately, that strange part of pregnancy where you are beyond exhausted, but for some strange, unknown reason you want to clean, bake, dust, scrub the floor, wash dishes, sweep, vacuum, and wash and fold laundry. Not that you can accomplish all of it, but darn it, you will try! Many of my escapades lately have involved baking and cooking.  I have made chunky cinnamon applesauce, crumble apple pie, chicken enchiladas, baked BBQ ribs, and pumpkin banana bread.  And that's all in about a weeks time!  Whew, I'm exhausted just thinking about it!   Now on to some recipes, specifically the apple crumble pie one.  In honor of fall, I have been craving all things apple and pumpkin.  If you know me, I'm a nut for anything pumpkin - pumpkin spice coffee, pumpkin pie, pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin straight from the can.  And apples, Gala, Mutsu, and apple cider, I'm in heaven!  Oh fall,