I've not quit baking! Much to the opposite actually. I've just made so many new things and been overwhelmed by my real job (blah) that I've not had the time or energy to get back on here.

Quick rundown of a few things I've discovered.

• marscapone cupcakes with strawberry glaze- the best summer cupcake
• double chocolate cookies- I took them to a new teacher meeting at school and everyone instantly loved me
• pumpkin cheesecake- a new thanksgiving tradition
• pumpkin cheesecake praline pie- very fancy and my family still loved it
• Ina Garten's chocolate cake- I did a shoddy decorating job but I'll get around to doing it better next time

I'm leaving a lot out but I can't remember it all at once.

I was really looking forward to Halloween at school so I could make cookies and decorate them for my kids. I made over 100 since I teach all 5th grades which is about 70 students. Plus I wanted more for fellow teachers, friends, and family. It was a daunting task but it turned out okay. Making black royal icing was slightly tricky and I should have gone with the cocoa trick. The kids like them and thought I had went out and bought them.