Yeah, but I Got a Mixer!

I don't care if I don't go anywhere today. In fact, I plan NOT to go anywhere today! (Ooops, forgot about Body Pump.) Going to get the Sunday paper doesn't count.

Yesterday, I felt in limbo most of the day. I knew that there were a couple of errands I needed to do but hubby wanted to come with me and that meant waiting around until he was ready, which meant, "let me just finish this one thing" for about an hour and a half. Ah, well. We don't go do things together as much as we used to, so it was worth the wait. Off we went to the big hardware store where we spent double what we would have, because we got the things he had in mind as well as the things I had on my list. Good thing is, the things he finds are really on sale. Good guy.
Also went to a department store because they were having a sale and I found that they had KitchenAid Artisan mixers on sale. (A little on sale, but still.) I have been wanting a KitchenAid for a long time now. Target had the classic one on sale for a really good price, but the Artisan has more motor power which I thought important since I like to make bread. Finally, I decided this is my birthday/Christmas present. I told my hubby I don't need any other gift. He sounded surprised, but I meant it. Well, except for my annual Mary Engelbreit calendar. That's all.
After getting groceries, I came home and promptly unpacked the mixer. It's huge and heavy. I chose the stainless steel finish. I think that will go with any color I paint the kitchen. :) I immediately began my favorite recipe for cinnamon rolls. The main reason I wanted the KitchenAid, is because of the dough hook attachment. I love to make bread, but the dough hook makes kneading so much faster and easier. I also tried something I haven't done before: after the first rising, I put the dough in the refrigerator and went to bed. Then I rolled and shaped this morning. The finished product is slightly tough, but definitely edible. Perhaps I kneaded to long or rolled the cold dough to much. That just means I'll have to try again. Darn. More cinnamon rolls. Soon.

Anyway, the last two days have been filled with running around. A lot. Not the way I like my time off, as a rule. I like to be at home and hide. I wonder sometimes, if at this stage in my life I would enjoy staying home full-time. Maybe for awhile. but then, I think I would need human interaction. But honestly, there are days that I long to move somewhere where my neighbors would be not so close and I wouldn't feel the pressure of what "they" think my yard should look like. I'd like to live on a plot of land large enough to have a dog, cats, and chickens. A little mini farm, if you will. Why is it I'm longing for things like this when I should probably be longing for some simpler life? Like a townhouse with no yard and less responsibility. Ick.

Hmm, didn't mean to get off on THAT! I have no huge aspirations today. I'll just take it as it comes. But I definitely mean for it to be a quiet day. Knitting and reading are about as crazy as I plan to get today. Oh, and Body Pump. I'll spend all day talking myself into going. I missed two days of exercise this week so I HAVE to go.

On the holiday front, I see it shaping up to be rather quiet and understated. At this point, I think we will spend both Thanksgiving and Christmas here. Just us. Maybe, that will help keep me from going frantic as is so easy to do when the holidays approach. I'm looking forward to the extra time off. I hope to spend it baking and doing other assorted homey activities.

Well, the cinnamon rolls are yelling my name.

Catch ya later.