Holiday Baking

'Tis the season for some very warm kitchens! Most bakers were busy all season long, which is why I'm just now sorting through pictures.  We've also had some really fun Christmas surprises in the Taylor household (in the shape of a new camera!) so pictures of every shape and size are stored in a few places now.  Old camera, new camera, on my phone... you name it and we've got pictures there.

Here's the rundown of my December: 

Third Annual Cookie Exchange
Each month (give or take a few visits) my amazing group of JMU girlfriends gather for potluck dinners. Everyone is VERY dedicated to our themes, and trust me we've had them all. From "Dips for Dinner" to "Food that looks like other foods" we have a great time cooking and catching up at these get togethers.  For the holidays it's worked out for me to host the cookie exchange, and although the crowd and apartment/house has changed, it's always been a fabulous time.  I snagged a few pictures of the sugar cookies I baked, but the full spread is on someone else's phone. (Send those pictures if you have them girls!)

My Favorite Tradition: Hard Candy
Another thing I look forward to in December is making old fashioned hard candy.  I tried some as a kid, and when I was savvy enough to know what a candy thermometer was I made my own batch. It's not always been as streamlined as it was this year- I've broken quite a few thermometers along the way. Each year I try out new flavors, and this year I aimed for some tropical tastes.  Since I've LOVED shopping on places like Etsy and Pick Your Plum in 2012, I made sure to give them some business for this year's crop.

A 30th Birthday (shhh...it was a surprise!) An old friend from Grad School contacted me with plans for a surprise 30th birthday for her husband.  It came at the perfect time for several reasons. 1- she lives in Woodstock, VA, which is normally a bit of a drive for me, but we were heading home to Roanoke to see my parents that weekend. And 2- the party was an "Endless Summer" theme, so I got to dream of summer in the already bleak, and windy winter! Thanks Cassie for calling me up :)

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a have a wonderful New Year. I'm excited to bring you some MUCH higher quality photos in 2013!