Tis' the Season

There are fewer things that bring me more joy than cooking and baking. From planning to shopping to chopping to savoring - what's not to love? Tomorrow, I'll be spending the day in the kitchen, wrapping gifts while watching The Family Stone and heading over to my friend's house for dinner. I couldn't be more excited! I'll be whipping up:

• Yet another batch of Jamie's Famous Caramel Corn 
• Jamie's Famous(er) Veggie Pizza 
• Mrs. Root's Famous Special K Bars 
• Lindsay Atkinson's soon-to-be-famous Pinto Dip with Veggies
• Martha's Tried and True Cranberry Bread and Zucchini Bread 
• Giada's Holiday Biscotti (sans white chocolate)
• And, these yummy-sounding Christmas-Morning Muffins

I can't wait to host Christmas instead of bringing the random salty appetizers and sweet desserts! Has anyone else felt "blah" this Christmas? Don't get me wrong, I love the music, the so-bad-they're-good TV movies, the lights, the shopping - everything about this season - but year after year the holidays just seem to be on auto-pilot. There's nothing to get excited about! It's our first Christmas as a married couple - and we decided to forgo gifts and pick up a leash for Harper. Romantic! Next year should be a whole other story!