For Christmas my husband bought me three Kitchenaid pasta roller attachments (lasgana, fettucini and linguine) and “The Complete Book of Pasta and Noodles” by Cooks Illustrated (If you are a pasta lover, you need to get this book. It really is the COMPLETE book of pasta). I was really excited. I have been wanting to make my own pasta since I tried some in July.

After reading the pasta cookbook (the first part of the book is like a textbook) I discovered that a food processor would be necessary for my pasta making adventures. So, this weekend I broke down and bought one.  Now I am all set to make homemade pasta (I just need to find the time to make it).

I was recently introduced to a new series of cookbooks by Stephanie “Mrs. 101 Things” Ashcraft that I would love to have. As you guessed, her cookbooks contain 101 recipes. Each book is based on a single ingredient such as cake mix, chicken, potatoes, tortillas, etc. A couple of coworkers have brought in recipes from her “101 Things to do with a Cake Mix” cookbook and every single one has been so delicious (and probably really easy to make). I was so excited when I discovered she had multiple cookbooks. I added most of them to my Amazon wishlist.

To get me started, my husband bought me “101 Things to do with a Cake Mix” and “101 MORE Things to do with a Cake Mix” for my birthday. He also bought 5 different cake mixes. My mom continued with the baking theme (I don’t think they planned to do it this way) and bought me a metal cake pan, cookie scoops, parchment paper and a nice cake/pie carrier. I am ready to bake! All I need now is a reason to make a dessert (I don’t want a dessert sitting in our apartment with only Joey and me to eat it – that could be very bad for “diets”).

Dessert anyone?