Do elves bake?

If there are such personalities as baking elves, I think I might apply. Friday (yes, all day) consisted of holiday baking. Lots of baking. Batches and batches of baking. I like (?) to bake for the holidays. The one year I didn't (when I moved back to L.A.) it was missed- both by me and by regular recipients of the holiday baked goods. And so, despite my hectic schedule as of late, I made a point to carve out some time for baking.

I knew this operation had to run like a perfectly well oiled machine in order to work. So, I measured out all my dry ingredients on Thursday night. Friday morning, I mixed all the dough, then I did all the baking.

First up, the perennial favorite and most requested of the holiday cookies: Snowballs. Sinful, buttery, pecany goodness, coated in confectioners sugar. I've got these down to a science.

Then, I always like to mix it up when it comes to the other cookies. I like to rotate old favorites, and sometimes I like to try something new. This year, I decided on simple ginger cookies. The recipe calls for them to be frosted at the end, but I think they're sweet enough as is.

Next, green tea shortbread leaves. I made these many years ago, but thought to resurrect the recipe this year. Generally I don't do cut-out cookies (takes a lot more time and I'm lazy), but I was inspired this year. It's basically shortbread, with a mellow green tea flavor. Something a little different.

And finally, now that I live with a dog and have so many friends now who also live with dogs, I couldn't very well leave our furry friends out, now could I? Peanut butter (all natural, sugar- free) dog biscuits. Again, with the cut-outs, but these were super fun. Hee hee...

Thankfully I was able to finish everything on Friday (night), because then I was able to hang out with Julia, Marnie, and Mary-Heather (and Kat, for a second) for a little knitting time and girl talk on Saturday afternoon. I wasn't able to stay for very long, but a short visit with the girls is better than nothing! Such a cozy Saturday afternoon.

And now, I must get back to packing. I'm leaving - this afternoon - for a week "back home" in Hawaii. It will be a short visit, but I'm looking forward to it. I'll be traveling with LA and two 5 month-old peanuts, which means I'm sure I will have some war stories to report)...wish us luck!