While I was here, I did a fair amount of cooking and baking.  And I loved every hot and sweaty chocolate-melting-in-the-photos second of it.

For me, cooking and baking is fun and brings out my creative side.  It’s even more fun when the pressures of real life aren’t upon me and on vacation, I had nothing but time on my hands.

And sweat down the back of my neck. If you’re interested in reliving the treat-filled month, here it is working my way from the beginning of the month until the present. Eggnog Chai Smoothie (Nov 29 but close enough to December)

12 Bars of Christmas – My Favorite 12 Recipes for a pan of bars

Baked Eggnog Vanilla Donuts with Eggnog Rum Glaze

White Chocolate Peanut, Pretzel, & Chocolate Chip Fudge

White Chocolate Peanut Butter Vanilla Puppy Chow

Peaches & Coconut Cream Smoothie

Caramel Peanut Butter & Jelly Bars

Chocolate Saltine Toffee

Coconut Oil Fried Cinnamon Sugar & Ginger Plantains

Double Chocolate Caramel Corn & Cocoa Rice Krispies Candy Bars

Ho Hos with Cream Cheese Frosting

Creamy Cookie Butter White Chocolate Banana Smoothie

Cookie Butter Spread Ginger Molasses Cookies

No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Squares

I loved the month and I’d like to see what you made in December that you enjoyed, shared with friends and family, gave away in cookie exchanges, or any recipes you made that you’re proud of or feel like sharing. Or if you have a showstopper recipe from 2011 that you loved, link that up to. Link up as many as you want!  If you made 10 great things, link ’em up. I can’t wait to see what everyone made.  Click the little blue button to link up.  It only takes a second.  (It’s  my first time using one of these on a post so hopefully it works!) Note: “Name” is the name of the recipe, not your first name.

Questions: What did you make that you loved? Is there something you wanted to make but didn’t get around to it for the holidays? Yes, that was the story of my life.  There’s only so many hours in the day to cook and bake.   And another reason is that elastic waistbands only stretch so far. Is there something on your To-Make List that you plan to make in 2012? Yes, that’s what Pinterest is for, right?  To give me a visual reminder of everything I want to try.  There are so many amazing blogs, websites, and recipes out there.  More than I will ever have time for but I am so inspired by just looking and browsing. The winner of the DAHLicious Giveaway is Keelie (SweatEqualsSuccess)

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