What I'm Reading, Stocking your Kitchen and Busy Weekend

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My most recent book. I know I'm behind, but working, going to school, having a bf, two dogs and a niece plus trying to have a life. I just don't have the time. Plain and simple :/ I'm in chapter 4. Started off slow, but it's really picking up.Maybe I'll finish it next week.

I'm combining a few subjects, forgive me now. At least I'm posting!

Last night, I had a small little bake-a-thon. I made the lovely

banana muffins

&

pumpkin cheesecake.

Also, my pot roast was quite good.

Anyways, while I was baking the cheesecake I ran out of 2 main ingredients (vanilla extract and sour cream) that are essentials in a baker's kitchen. So I decided to share with you all what the essentials of a baker's kitchen should be (according to me).

• Flour (50 lb. bag in my kitchen, thank you Costco!)
• Eggs (no less than 2 dzn)
• Sugar (or appropriate sugar substitute you know how to use)
• Milk (any variation 2%, whole, soy, etc)
• Lemon Juice (used to make buttermilk and used as an acid)
• Sour Cream (another acid and used for moistness)
• Cream Cheese (I add to anything from breads to mashed potatoes)
• Vanilla Extract (Good quality, not to be skimped)
• Brown Sugar 
• Almond Extract (I use in a pinch instead of Vanilla)
• Cooking Spray
• Baking Powder 
• Baking Soda 
• Salt 

I can probably make about 75% of my standard recipes from the above ingredients. With the holidays coming up I thought this would be a good reference guide for all you bakers out there :)

This weekend, the girls and I are celebrating my 24th birthday! It's not for 2 more weeks, but this is the only weekend this month that works for everyone's schedule. We're having my infamous skittles vodka and pudding shots. Pictures to come on Monday.

"If you find a book that looks interesting but is part of a series, do you always start with the first title?"

I have to start with Book 1. I have to know everything I can about the characters and don't want to miss anything or be lost. I hate starting something in the middle.