Baking Up A Storm

About once every two months, I spend a day in the kitchen baking muffins by the dozens, bread, and whatever dinner for the evening is to be. 

I always dread it, but as soon as I get to doing it, I am happy and I feel very productive.  I know that it benefits my family, and it feels good to know that I am serving them as well as thinking ahead.

Besides, the house smells heavenly and I don't have to worry about snacks for the kids.  They just snitch a muffin when they get hungry and I pretend like I don't see it.

I always intend to take a picture of the table when all bread and muffins are done and cooling, but honestly by then, I'm wiped out.  Proud of the job I've done, but ready to prop up my feet for a spell.  So here's a somewhere in the process shot...

After everything cools, I put the muffins into family-breakfast sized portions.  I remember when it only took 9, but we're up to 13 per bag these days to fill everyone's muffin needs.  We are blessed to have a chest-freezer and I keep it chock-full of different items to keep me out of the grocery stores anymore than strictly speaking necessary. 

Occasionally, we'll pull out a bag midweek, but by and large, these bags of muffins are reserved for Sunday mornings so we don't have to think about it.  Joshua just drops a couple of muffins on each plate along with some fruit or yogurt and, Voila! Breakfast is served!

What kinds of things do you do to make life for your family run more smoothly?  I'm always looking for new ways to save sanity.