<a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/half-5.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1438" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/half-5.jpg" alt="half birthday" width="332" height="500" /></a>It has been ages since I last posted.  In fact, this little one wasn't even born yet.  Let's just say she has been keeping me busy.  It was a fun but exhausting 6 months.  To celebrate that she has finally started sleeping a bit, I collected a few pics of the work that I have been able to eek out in between nursing sessions, diaper changes, and endless snuggles.  We started out slow, but each month I get a little bit of time back to myself.  Wouldn't trade it for the world, though.  She's worth every bit of chaos!

<a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_0134.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1440" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_0134.jpg" alt="celebration cupcakes" width="374" height="500" /></a>

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<p style="text-align: center;">To celebrate my mom's birthday, we ordered in (baby was only a month old), but we did have home made dessert.  I was super excited about my new found ability to wrap the baby in the Moby and bake while she slept on my chest.  The vibrant blue frosting had been in the freezer since O's cookie monster birthday party.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/razz-muffin-3.jpg">
</a><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_0139.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1441" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_0139.jpg" alt="patriotic cupcakes" width="500" height="375" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Memorial Day saw a return of the last of the blue frosting and a simple patriotic decoration.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMGP7699.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1442" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMGP7699.jpg" alt="chocolate cake with strawberries" width="500" height="331" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">We picked our own strawberries in Indiana and cooked them in a compote for this decadent chocolate bundt cake.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/razz-muffin-3.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1443" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/razz-muffin-3.jpg" alt="raspberry muffin " width="331" height="500" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">More baking with fruit during berry season: oversize raspberry muffins with crumb topping.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/4th-5.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1435" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/4th-5.jpg" alt="red white and blue bundt cake" width="455" height="500" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">O helped me put together this patriotic bundt for my dad's firecracker birthday.  It was a bit tacky but oh so fun.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/4th-1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1434" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/4th-1.jpg" alt="4th of july pullapart flag cupcakes" width="500" height="331" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Our good friends hosted a farewell party before their big move, and we thought this pull apart cupcake flag made the perfect addition to their July third fest.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IC-PIE-5.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1439" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IC-PIE-5.jpg" alt="ice cream pie" width="500" height="331" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I scream, you scream. We all scream for ice cream PIE.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/almond-6.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1437" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/almond-6.jpg" alt="almond scones" width="331" height="500" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Stone fruit season brought these gorgeous almond scones.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/21451143151_9b67c3e17c_o.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1436" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/21451143151_9b67c3e17c_o.jpg" alt="naked cake" width="500" height="333" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">We served this version of the trendy naked cake at our daughter's blessing ceremony.  These are often used in rustic or DIY weddings.  We weren't having a wedding, but the occasion seemed just as momentous.  I love the simplicity of the crumb cake look with fresh flowers.  And, to be perfectly honest, it was the ease of assembly that appealed to me since that's about all I could manage with the little ones underfoot.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I'm eager to do more baking and blogging as the year goes on.  Birthday and smash cake season will be here before I know it!</p>
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