Holiday Baking List

One of my favorite parts of Christmastime is all of the baked goodies.

I love baking up a storm, trying new recipes, breaking out our classic family ones, and of course, devouring the treats throughout the holiday season.

Midway through 7-layer cookie baking, 2010

It seems as though everywhere I look, there are more and more amazing holiday recipes. If you follow me on Pinterest, you may have even seen lots of baking ideas I've been pinning over the last few days.

Every year, I do a baking day with my mom. Last year, we made dozens upon dozens of cookies...I think 11 different varieties in 1 day.

This year, I have so many things I want to make that I might even start testing things out this weekend and distributing goodies to my office mates, building concierge and neighbors over the next couple of weeks.

Here's what I've got on my list this season:

Raspberry Thumbprints

Cherry Chocolate Kisses

Cocoa Thumbprints

Eggnog Snickerdoodles

Butter Cookie Cutouts

Italian Rainbow Cookies

Chocolate Crinkles

Other recipes from around the web that I would love to have time for!

Candy Cane Kiss Cookies via Recipe Girl

Christmas Candy Cheesecake via Sprinkle Bakes

Eggnog Crumble Crunch Cake via How Sweet It Is

Red Velvet Marshmallow Thumbprints via How Sweet It Is

Hot Chocolate Cookies via Baking Serendipity

Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookies via The Comfort of Cooking

Soft Gingersnaps with White Chocolate Frosting via Two Peas and Their Pod

Sooo...at almost 8 months pregnant, I'll totally have time for all of the above...right?

I'll be sure to keep you posted along the way :)

Now it's your turn...

What's on your baking list this holiday season?

What other amazing recipes have I been missing out on?

Share some link-ups in the comments!

Holiday Music

Since it's a whole week past Thanksgiving, I finally broke out my Christmas playlist on the iPod and queued up the Rockin' Holidays Pandora station on my office computer.

Usually by the middle of December I've exhausted all holiday music in a veritable overdose of the same songs, over and over. But for now? I'm so excited to dive right in.

This year, however, I'm looking for some new suggestions on great Christmas albums or renditions...any recommendations out there?

Admittedly, some of my existing favorites include:

Mariah Carey Merry Christmas. As if that needs to be officially stated! Who doesn't love this album?!

Michael Buble Let it Snow! I actually bought his Michael Buble Christmas album last year and felt eh about it. Shaun had gifted me with Let it Snow! years ago and I've loved it ever since.

Jessica Simpson ReJoyce. Don't judge. The arrangements are great and her Baby It's Cold Outside duet with Nick Lachey is my favorite version of this song...and makes me long for better Simpson days long gone.

Bing Crosby & Frank Sinatra Christmas. Perhaps the only Christmas album that Shaun will listen to willingly!

When it comes to individual songs, here are just a few of my favorites!

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - James Taylor, Bing Crosby versions

Elf's Lament - Barenaked Ladies & Michael Buble

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Barenaked Ladies & Sarah McLachlan

Please Come Home for Christmas - Bon Jovi

O Holy Night - any rendition

Carol of the Bells - any rendition

Sleigh Ride - The Ronettes

Merry Christmas - The Waitresses

Little St. Nick - The Beach Boys

Christmas All Over Again - Tom Petty

Run Run Rudolph - Chuck Berry

...just to name a few!

But I'm always on the hunt for new renditions, so please share with me some of your favorites!

Scenes from Christmas

Hi there! I've spent the last bunch of days eating, hanging with family, spending time with my favorite west coaster, eating, sleeping in, cooking, not blogging, baking, watching TV and...eating some more. Sorry I've left you hanging over the last few days, but it was necessary for me to take some time off from everything! I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas! And if you don't celebrate Christmas, I hope that you had a lovely long weekend :) I don't have too much to tell you about today, other than to share some scenes from the big weekend. I hope you enjoy!

I'm sad that Christmas 2011 has come and gone...but am so happy to have had such a great bunch of days with the fam! And now...onto New Year's!! Hope you all had a great one!