Our Baking Tradition

Since Maiya was old enough to hold a measuring spoon she and I have had a tradition of baking at least once a week together. It is usually Monday nights (you know...treats for Family Home Evening) but it is not restricted to that night alone. Maiya has been the kitchen assistant for many different things. Making the most frequent appearances are Chocolate Chip cookies (Grandma Ashby's recipe, of course) and Devils Food Cupcakes with Mint Cream Cheese frosting. We had also been know to whip up some mean Pumpkin creations in the Fall...like Pumpkin roll or a spiced Pumpkin cake. Home made Oreos are a favorite as well. Her skills have slowly advanced from just handing Mom the ingredients to pouring the ingredients to, just recently, measuring and pouring. This is a fun tradition for Maiya and me. It gives us time to talk and listen to music while singing into our wooden spoons. She loves to lick the bowl and beaters.

We very rarely keep the goodies at home. We usually set a small portion aside for us (Dad and Hailey included, of course) and give the rest away. Most often the benefactors of our baking are the fine associates at the The Ritz-Cartlon Club. In fact, I so frequently take our treats to work that Tuesday has come to be known as "Treat Tuesday." Occasionally the Young Women or our neighbors are the recipients as well. Recently Todd was out and about and found a surprise for Maiya and I....Chef hats. Maiya and I proudly wore them last Monday as we whipped up a couple of batches of "Election Day Cupcakes" complete with red, white and blue sprinkles. More than once I have heard Maiya tell a friend or grown-up, "My dad is the cook but my mom and me are the bakers!"