Chopping & Baking at PorterRanch

  This is the weekend

 we'll go & chop down our tree

 & this is when all the fun begins!

We have only a dusting of snow

 & are expecting more tomorrow.

 Which means I will also be

 in my nice warm kitchen baking!

 Baking & boxing

 Christmas cookies for everyone!

Now, let me ask you,

 do you start from scratch

 or do you start from the big tub

 of Nestle Toll House Cookies

 that you bake at 350

 for 9 to 11 minutes?

 Have you all seen what some very talented cookie makers are pulling out of their ovens? 

It's an edible winter wonderland.

  Kind of gave me a bit of anxiety

 when I saw the level of artistry.

  These are my favorite.

  Old fashioned like my grandmother used to make. 

I like to actually see the cookie part

 since I'm not an icing kind of girl.

 It's how the cookie part tastes

 that's most important, right?

This is a pretty departure

 from the typical red & green.

  I like that too!

And these golden angels are

 pretty enough to hang on the tree!

 When you bake for someone,

 you're giving more than cookies.

 Layers and layers of buttery goodness

 wrapped in wax paper also says

 "I love you."

More artistry using that

 swirly swivel toothpick technique thingy.

  I think these are actually going to be ornaments...

These would win the prize

 at the Porters.

Gingerbread is our favorite!

Before I go preheat the oven,

 I want to show all of you smart designers

 the gorgeous creations by

 Rogue Confections.

Handmade, pure Belgian chocolates

 adorned with edible inspiration

 from vintage wallpaper patterns.

These handmade pretties

 were produced in the kitchen

 of ex-television set designer,

 Sherri Adler. 

You can visit Rogue Confections

 to learn more,

 or you could stop by PorterRanch

 & have some of these!

Baked with love of course!

xo Lisa

photo credits:

 Country Home, silliLilli, 45 Minute Gourmet,

 Food Network, Country Living, Alexandra Grablewski,

Sugar Cookie Couture, Sugar Craft, Garden Party NYC,

 Gourmet Magazine, Rogue Confections, Country Living.