Shameless hint for a kitchenaid mixer

     So, now that I have some free time on my hands, I have been baking a lot more.  I have found some good recipes and tips online  and have gotten suggestions from friends.  It makes me REALLY want a Kitchenaid Mixer (in white, if any one needs any gift ideas)

     This link a helped me discover some really good chocolate chip cookies. http://allrecipes.com/recipe/best-chocolate-chip-cookies/   .  I added some vanilla to the eggs before the dry ingredients, and they got a 10 out of 10 frome the boys.  I wanted to take a picture of  Drew scarfing the dough but he protested, stating "why do you always have to take my picture!".  Oh, well. 

     Another big hit was pinapple upside down cake http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/pineapple-upside-down-cake/a1c9a639-0748-4f2c-89f5-fd33cf138986.  I cut the pineapple rings into quarters because it was for a bigger crowd so the cake would have to be cut into smaller pieces and I didn't want to have to worry about cutting through them.  I was able to add more cherries this way and learned that more cherries is a good thing.  I also used the juice from the drained pineapple instead of water in the cake mix--delish!

     I also want to try oatmeal chocolate chip cookies (thanks to Michelle for the recipe) and making homemade icecream with our never used ice cream maker that we got for our wedding.  The hard thing is limiting myself to 1 baking/ dessert project per week. 

     Let me know if you have a "gotta try this one" recipe.  I am having a ball :0)