Back before I was a mom and had such an over-full schedule, I used to love to bake. Or I guess, since I still do love to bake, I should say I used to bake regularly.

I made cakes and cookies and pies. I always baked a bunch of stuff at Christmas. What I love about baking is that all you have to do is follow the recipe - there's no guess work, really. And at the end you come up with something yummy (and yes, I LOOOOOOOVE my sweets!) Everybody loves dessert.

Back before I was a mom (let's call it PM for pre-motherhood), like many of us, I didn't have to battle my weight. So all that baking wasn't a problem. Well... that has certainly changed. So I added the fact that I didn't want baked goods around to the list of why I just never do it. (okay - very rarely!)
So tonight I actually had time, and I decided to bake.

It was a pecan pie (it's in the oven as I type), and this was my first attempt at a pecan pie. (It's kinda funny because I got the recipe from the karo syrup bottle... my friend who always brings the pecan pie to parties told me her "secret recipe" was actually the one from the karo bottle!) And I also had found a recipe for a super simple whole wheat pie crust that I had really been wanting to try. (Plus, I want to take a pecan pie to Thanksgiving with the family, so I needed to try it out first - I never like to take my first attempt at a dish to a party.
Anyway...
After I had it in the oven I was so HAPPY! I mean, really, really happy!

I had forgotten how relaxing and enjoyable it is - even in my cramped kitchen where I have to unpack the entire cupboard just to get out the darn pie dish and mixing bowl!
The smell of a baking pie is so comforting to me. And it is such a satisfying feeling to have accomplished my task. It's kind of amazing how many aspects of this I like! It's no wonder I love to bake so much!!
The issue with all the calories that are soon to be available to me and my family via that pie (if it's any good!) will have to be dealt with somehow, but I'll cross the bridge when I come to it!
Fow now, I am just a happy baker!!!!!

Thanks for reading.

And I'd love to hear about your take on baking and how it does or doesn't fit in now that you are watching what you eat.