Guess who finally bought the Zoku Quick Pop Maker? I did, and I am super happy with it! I have been playing with it since I got it. So far I have made four different pop flavors. The first one I tried was the orange pop mix that I bought from Williams-Sonoma. Instead of using milk, I thought, why not yogurt? Boy, was it good! Then there was grape (Welch’s juice concentrate), with milk and heavy cream. That one was good, too. I also tried the other mix from Williams-Sonoma, the chocolate fudge. It was okay. At the moment, I have berry punch (Minute Maid juice concentrate) in my freezer. This flavor, I’m telling you, is the bomb! Then again, I am partial to anything berry flavored.

The thing with the pop maker is, you can make three batches once the pop maker is ready. However, some recipes, depending on the consistency and ingredients, may require longer freezing time, which may result to refreezing the pop maker sooner than you expect. What I found helpful with the freezing process was to put the pop maker in the freezer while waiting. It not only keeps the pop maker frozen, but it also speeds up the freezing time of the pops. Smart, eh? Another smart thing I did was I bought an extra set of the pop sticks, that way I can make lots and lots of ice pops! (And eat them too!)

On another yummy note, I baked some chocolate chip cookies last week, and they’re REALLY good. Trust me. Instead of using semi-sweet chocolate chips that the recipe called for, I used a combination of milk and white chocolate chip. Oh, and one more thing, instead of using a small ice cream scoop to drop the cookie dough, I used a quarter cup, which yielded these huge cookies. Winner.

Don’t just sit there, go bake some. Now.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

(makes 2 dozens)

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup white chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.

2. In a bowl, mix flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

3. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and the sugars in a large mixing bowl on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add in eggs one at a time, and vanilla.

4. Add flour mixture gradually, until combined.

5. Stir in chocolate chips.

6. Use a mini ice cream scoop to drop cookie dough on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, about 2 inches apart. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.

I have been having sleep issues lately, and I hate it.

Ok, so this is what’s going on. I wake up at around 6:30 in the morning every day, get ready for work, and be on my way around 7:30. I stay in school until 12 noon, run some errands until about 2 in the afternoon, and as soon as I get home and sit on the couch, I pass out. I can’t help myself. Then I wake up around 7 in the evening, or 6, if I force myself, cook dinner, watch T.V. and internet. I don’t start feeling tired until around 3:30, leaving me with three pitiful hours to sleep. Do you see what’s happening to me? This stupid cycle has to stop, otherwise it will be more difficult once the regular school year starts.

It’s ten past one. I’m feeling tired, but I’m not sleepy. If I don’t sleep in, I know I will feel tired in the afternoon and will want to take a nap, which means I will end up staying awake all night. It’s the weekend, and I shouldn’t really care. It’s just that this is my chance to reset the cycle. I feel so sleep deprived that it makes me want to cry. How lame is that?

On a happier note, I baked some chocolate chip cookies earlier. I also bought the pop maker, and I have been having fun with it. I will post about the cookie and the pop some other time. I need to sleep.

I have been coveting this delightful thing since I laid eyes on it.

image source: Williams-Sonoma

When Felix and I went to buy our coffee maker last week, I saw the Zoku Quick Pop Maker on display. It is quite pricey at 49.95 USD (well 55 bucks with tax), but I think it’s well worth the money. We thought of buying it, but decided not to since it wasn’t a priority at that moment. Not a priority?! *gasp* What were we thinking?!

What’s really neat about this pop maker is that there’s this liquid core that speeds up the freezing time. You put the pop maker in the freezer, and your pop is ready in seven minutes. It can make up to nine pops, three at a time, before refreezing. (Felix argues two batches only, not three!) Another neat thing about this pop maker is the reusable plastic pop sticks with the special drip guards, for a mess free treat! Cool, huh?

I read great reviews about the product, and I can’t think of any reason why it’s not worth buying. (Except for it’s orange accent, but I can pretend it’s pink, so whatever!) So, Imma get it, and then Imma make me lots and lots of ice pops! I’m thinking orange and lemon and strawberry flavored ice pops! Ooh, grape and raspberry, too! Mmm!

Lookit! My new baby, and she’s pink! *squeal*

Pretty in pink, isn’t she?

Yup, I have decided that my mixer is a she.

My thoughtful mother-in-law, in collaboration with Felix and his grandma, got me this sweet KitchenAid Artisan® Stand Mixer for my birthday. (My birthday isn’t till August, so you know!) I can’t wait to play with her!

My earliest memory of baking was when I was six. My mom used to take a lot of orders for cakes and pies, and I helped her out with those orders. Oh, she was awesome in the kitchen, I’m telling you! Me, I was her little baker. I helped her measure and sift and pour the ingredients into the mixer. The best part was being in charge of “cleaning” the beaters, which meant licking off the icing. I remember how my brothers and I would fight over this privilege. See, there were three of us and only two beaters. Good times. I eventually did a lot of baking myself. Birthday and Christmas gifts to friends were mostly goodies I baked. A lot of the kitchen tricks I know, I picked up from my mom. She’s gonna be so delighted when I tell her about my new baby. I already know, tee hee.

Hey, if you have any recipes you would like to share, feel free to post here or email me.

By the way, what have you planned for your 4th of July? I was thinking of going to Guadalupe River Park and join everyone in their Independence Day celebration. I’m not sure if Felix is up for it, though. There’s the dealing with heat and millions of people factor, so we’ll see. Wherever you end up going and whatever you decide on doing, may you have a wonderful 4th of July! I just might end up staying at home with my baby. *grin*

I know, I suck. I’m not a creative writer, you see. I have actually pondered whether I should keep this website or let it go. However, I have developed attachment to this website. It’s one of those things that I patiently learned to create, and if you’ve been following me the past six years, you know what I’m talking about.

Needless to say, I have decided to keep this baby, except, it will now be dedicated mostly to talking about the things I make. Because making things is what I really like to do.