Mama's In The Kitchen Again

I told you last week that I had been 

Baking, Baking, & Baking . . .

in order to make  After School Snacks  for Hosanna & Friends . . .

as they came over before Play Practice three days in a row.

Well . . .

this week has found me keeping my oven hot, as well.

Thursday . . .

I baked two batches of Pumpkin Donut Holes . . .

for snacks for the cast of The Wizard of Oz . . .

for backstage for the Dress Rehearsal.

Word has it . . . the kids loved them.

Friday . . .

I baked two batches of Caramel Oatmeal Chewies . . .

one batch to sell for Friday Night's Concession Stand . . .

and one batch for Saturday Night's Cast Party after the show.

This was a New Recipe . . .

and My.Oh.My. were they ever YUMMY!

(I had to taste one little sliver of each new recipe,

so I would know if I should ever make it again.)

Saturday . . .

Hosanna and I did some More Baking . . .

for her Cast Party after the show that night.

She started by baking a batch of Chocolate Chip Cookies.

(These were the only thing that started my temptation motor 

whirring, so I quickly asked her to banish them from the 

kitchen. Whew!  I survived the temptation without taking a bite.)

I then tried another New Recipe:

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

I chose to make Mini Muffins with Mini Chocolate Chips . . . 

for the Cast Party, as they are such a nice little Snack Food.

After filling the 24-Muffin Tray, I made 4 large muffins for Papa's Lunch.

(After taking my "one little sliver" of this new recipe, I caved.  

I ate the whole mini muffin.  It was REALLY good.

I'm glad they were mini muffins.  And, I did stop at just one.)

Not knowing if we would have 20 or 30+ kids at the late night Cast Party . . .

and not wanting to run out of food for these hard working teens . . .

I made two more batches of the Pumpkin Donut Holes.

One batch was for Saturday Night's Cast Party,

and one batch for backstage for Sunday's Matinee.

Boy am I glad that I'm on a diet;

if I wasn't, I am sure I would have gained some weight the past two weeks.

I actually think that it is easier to withstand temptation if/when I am baking every day;

because I know that I can just "have some tomorrow" if I really want some.

But, by the next day I am motivated to stay away from the goodies; 

because I lost more weight the day before.

Instead of finding joy in eating . . .

as I may or may not have done in the past . . .

I am finding joy in baking yummy things . . .

and serving others through my baking.

I am nearing the 60 Pound Loss mark, in 8 months,

and it is  EXCITING!!!

Thanks for ALL of your 

Love, Support, Encouragement, and Prayers,

as I have walked my Takin' Care of Mama Journey this year.

More recipes coming soon.

Please let me know if you try some;

I would love your feedback.