Baking Day!

I have decided that tomorrow is going to be a baking day!

I had planned to do it on Saturday, because I'm supposed to work in the morning. But since there is this strange white substance falling from the sky, and the roads are already getting icy, we know the whole state will shut down. So we are not likely going to open the store tomorrow. We've already decided not to open before noon, but seeing how the temps aren't supposed to get above freezing, I'm not sure that will even happen. If I do end up going in for a couple of hours, then I'll just take a baking break and get back to it when I get home.

Oh - for those of you reading who don't know (since I was an absentee blogger and haven't updated about all this stuff!) I have been volunteering at my friend Kristi's thrift store since June. She is a non-profit organization who does lots to help the community. I have been on her board of directors since 2003. I had helped her out when she first opened the store in 2001 but had not done much in-store in several years.

In June, I walked in to a lot of stuff going on, and was in the right place at the right time to be able to help Kristi out. She was stressed about everything that was playing out at the time, and was supposed to be headed out of town! So I told her I'd work for a few days until she could get someone more permanent. I worked most of that week and I loved it. I enjoyed getting out of the house for a bit and talking to actual adults! It was a nice change of pace. Best of all, Ruthi was able to go with me, and she loved it too.

I enjoyed it so much that I talked to Chip about maybe continuing on working a couple days a week. He didn't mind me being there, but was really missing me being home on the days he was working from home. So we decided that a good plan was for me to work on the days he's at the fire station. Here we are in January, and I'm still enjoying it. Only one out of every three weeks do I end up working when Chip is home, due to the way his schedule rotates. But it's not bad, because I only work until 2:00 and he's usually busy in the mornings anyway.

It may seem silly, but working there has made me feel important. Not that I didn't feel important as a wife and mom, but if you are a stay-at-home-mom, I'm sure you know what I mean. It's nice to know someone outside your home values you and finds you important! And Kristi has been sure to let me know time and time again how much she values my time there.

I don't take a paycheck, that's a decision Chip and I made together, but I get rewarded many other ways. Kristi makes sure I get whatever I want that comes through there. And we get lots of great stuff. I haven't had to buy any clothing for Ruthi this fall/winter thanks to all the great clothes that come in there for her. (I did break down and get her some new jeans recently, because the right size just wasn't coming in, but goodness...that's great that I haven't had to go out and spend lots of money for her!) And I already have quite a bit of clothing for her for spring/summer! I've been able to get some nice clothes and shoes for myself as well. I got the perfect Christmas tree to fit in my living room, and most recently a treadmill! Not to mention all the smaller stuff here and there. I'm pretty happy with the situation!

Kristi has given me the title of store manager, because of the things I've been able to accomplish while being there, and I think she likes having someone else to help make some of the bigger decisions. It felt weird at first, but I must admit, I kind of like having that title behind my name! It feels weird because I work less than the other employees...but I guess that's the advantage of managing, huh?

Anyway...back to what this post was SUPPOSED to be about (didn't mean to make the store explanation so long!)

BAKING!

One of my goals for January is to get the freezer re-stocked with quick breakfast and lunch items, and maybe a few meals for dinner as well.

Tomorrow I plan to tackle breakfast items. I have a list of things I want to get made, and hopefully I'll get it all done. If we don't open the store at all tomorrow, I'll have a better chance of completing it all, but even still, I should be able to do it.

Here's the plan:

French Breakfast Puffs

Marmalade Muffins*

Honey Bran Muffins

French Toast Sticks

Oatmeal Apple Raisin Muffins

Jam Surprise Muffins

Breakfast Burritos

Sausage Biscuits

Granola - Not a freezer item, but it's one of CJ's favorites

*The Marmalade Muffins have a different name in the link, but this is what they are called in her cookbook.

AND, I'm hoping to get Ruthi's shelves painted tomorrow. If I end up going into work, that will get bumped to Saturday for sure.

If I'm not too tired tomorrow night, I'll update my progress.
For now, I'm attempting another goal - getting to sleep before midnight! Goodnight!