four.

Job status update: I am actually quite happy working there now! I have really settled in and have adjusted to being out of the house a few nights a week and I'm really starting to enjoy it again. I am making good tip percentages and bringing home more money that I did the last time I worked there. I'm hoping the volume will pick up a bit and I can maintain the same averages, then I will be clear sailing! The next big step will be finding a new routine for the housework to make it work with the new schedule... any suggestions?

'S' will be turning 1 in a few weeks which I am really not prepared for at all. I don't know how it happened already!! I thought it was fast with 'G' but this was no comparison.... I really have to start the planning process, I am an event planner after all! And she is my darling baby girl who deserves nothing but the best!! I'm so excited for the party, can you tell?

Well that's it for tonight, have to get to bed and prepare for tomorrow!

~K

three.

So I made, or tried making, Lemon Meringue Pie from scratch today... It was less than successful. It tastes great but it doesn't quite hold it's shape in the filling, sadly I don't really care enough about Lemon Meringue Pie to perfect the recipe... It was enough to meet my craving haha.

I had my first serving shift last night and did very well! I only had 4 tables but I took home 20% so I was very happy with that, I can only hope my tips stay around that average and I can make some very decent money! I am definately struggling to get into a good groove of maintaining the house and kids with the new schedule, I'm hoping that it will get easier with time but it is a big adjustment for everybody.

Well this has been a short entry but the news distracted me and it is now my bed time! Work tomorrow :s

~K

two.

Post number 2 here we go!

So I started my new job, it was absolutely awful the first night... Less awful the second night. I am hoping that trend continues and I end up maybe slightly enjoying it, I think it really comes down to me not wanting to go back to work at all. We shall see...

I am dedicating today's blog to the best recipe for cinnamon buns ever! They are fool-proof and amazing! I should take this time to warn you that you may make and eat more batches that you wish.....

I stumbled upon the recipe online on a great sight http://www.sweetapolita.com/ I strongly urge you to check it out if you are into baking. Anyways, here it is:

Cinnabon-Style Gourmet Cinnamon Buns
Yield: 12 large bungs

Dough:

• 1 (1/4 ounce) package dry yeast
• 1 cup warm whole milk
• 1/2 granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup margarine
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup bread flour

1. Dissolve the yeast in the warm milk in a large bowl
2. Add sugar, margarine, salt, eggs and flour. Mix well.
3. Knead the dough into a large ball, using your hands dusted lightly with flour (I used my kitchen-aide attachment)
4. Put in a bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place about 1 hour or until dough has doubled in size.

Filling:

• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1/3 cup margarine

1. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface, until it is approximately 21" x 16".
2. It should be about 1/4" thick.
3. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.
4. Spread the softened margarine over the surface of the dough, then sprinkle the filling evenly over the surface, leaving about 1" untouched around the edges.
5. Gently roll into a fairly tight roll, trying to keep the filling inside.
6. With a sharp knife, slice into 12 pieces.
7. Place in parchment lined 9 x 12 cake pan about 2" apart, cover with lint-free cloth and let rise for another hour.
8. Bake at 400 degree F on the rack just above centre, for about 10 minutes, or until light golden brown.
9. Cool on cooling rack and gently place into an airtight container when cool.

Cream Cheese Icing (oh my gooood)

• 4oz cream cheese
• 1/2 cup margarine
• 1 3/4 cup icing sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla flavor
• 1/8 teaspoon lemon flavor

1. Remove cream cheese and margarine from refridgerator and place into mixing bowl and let warm up for 30 minutes.
2. Use the paddle attachment to blend the cream cheese and margarine for 6 minutes on slow. #2 on Kitchen-aide.
3. Switch to steel whip attachment and whip cream cheese and margarine for 10 minutes on med-high. #6 on Kitchen-aide.
4. Add 1 cup of powdered sugar and mix for 1 minute on slow. #2 on Kitchen-Aide. Add the remaining 3/4 cup of powdered sugar and mix for an additional minute.
5. Add vanilla and lemon flavor and whip for 1 minute on medium. #5 on Kitchen-Aide.

So there it is... Trust me sooo good! Hope you enjoy!

~K

one.

So... Here it is, my first blog! I've never really been into writing, I used to be into journaling... So we'll see how this goes. If nothing else it will be a good spot to spill my guts, even if no one is reading it....

I'm guessing if you're reading this you either know me or have already figured out that my name is Kayla... The other key players in my life will be known as the love of my life 'M', my son 'G' and my daughter 'S'. Please forgive the Gossip Girl-ness of the nicknames :p

Alrighty, well let's get into it shall we? This I'm sure will prove to be a fun learning experience if nothing else...

I started this blog while I should probably be studying for my new old job, that being said 'S' is up from her nap and that makes it difficult to concentrate... That's my reasoning anyways... Sure I could be doing much needed housework right now but that's much less fun. I'm finding it pretty easy to memorize all the abbreviations since most of it is just review (I used to work there) but I am still very anxious about going back. I worked there after I had 'G' but I'm sure that going back to work with 2 kids at home is alot more than 1, and if I'm being totally honest here I don't even want to go back... This is making it rather difficult to get excited about the new old job. I know I felt the same way when I went back to work after 'G' and I ended up really enjoying the break and adult conversation. I'm sure it will be the same this time around. I must say that I can atleast be thankful that between 'M' watching the kids evenings and weekends and my dear Mom taking them anytime he's not available to I won't have to leave them in the hands of strangers.

Beyond the work and home issues I also want to keep track of my exercise and weight loss goals... Again being 'Honestly-Kayla' I am really not satisfied with my weight after having 'S' I know that I did not gain as much weight as when I had 'G' ... Like not nearly as much! But I am still aspiring to lose the weight like I did after I had him, if I could lose all the weight (and then some) after he was born I know I can do it now.... That being said, I have no idea how I lost the weight! It just sort of fell off, probably largely due to the stress I was under at the time, I would obviously prefer to take a healthier approach to it this time around. I have 20lbs that I would like to be rid of, I have started with walking... It's not much but it is something that I'm hoping will encourage more exercise to follow, the problem is I HATE exercising.... I really do. I've never really struggled with healthy eating, it all comes down to the exercise. So like I said, I hope this is a good start to a new lifestyle!

Well, this is probably a good point to finish off. If you made it to the end I thank you!

More to follow,

~ K