For as long as I can remember, my mom has baked.

More specifically, she baked cookies. A lot of them. 

Growing up there were few days that we'd come home without a delicious batch of cookies to treat ourselves to after a long day at school. And these weren't any old cookies. They were Kath's Kookies.

It's been a long week, but Friday is finally here; and we have lots of holiday cheer to spread this weekend. Tomorrow we have a much anticipated family outing to the city, to show Madeline NYC all decked out for Christmas. We will see family and friends and maybe share a glass of champagne, or two. And I can't wait to see our girl's face when she sees that tree- all lit up and magical. Here's to a great weekend!

December seventh and I've already watched The Santa Clause half a dozen times. I've gone through one Frasier Fir candle. There are a hefty presents wrapped around the tree. And I've baked an embarrassing amount of peppermint treats {this one included.} Anyone with me? Or am I alone on this Island of Misfit Toys?

There's just something about this season that screams "Bake all the festive treats possible while listening to Christmas music!" So, bake I must

I'm the kind of person that always has a box of cake mix in the pantry. And generally speaking, this is something I'm not super proud of. I'd much rather be the kind of person that whips up a cake from scratch on the rare occasion a home-baked cake is needed; or the kind of person that didn't crave cake; or the kind of person that doesn't eat most of said cake in one sitting; or some combination of the three.

But being that I'm not, I had a box on hand yesterday. And on that cold and very rainy day, when my daughter was on a nap strike and happened to be fighting a cold- I've never been happier to be that kind of person.

Thanksgiving is just a little over two weeks away meaning a few very important things: Sirius's Holly station is now playing Christmas music on the daily; the Hallmark channel is running all the best cheesy holiday movies; and I am officially days away from cooking my very first Thanksgiving meal. Which, admittedly, is giving me just the tiniest bit of hostess anxiety.