Cookie time.

I hosted a baking extravaganza last week. I pulled out the aprons, dusted off the Kitchen Aid mixer, and called upon some gal pals. And from 1PM-8PM, we baked our butts off! Sugar cookies, almond cookies, rice crispie treats, and chocolate-dipped pretzels were created and decorated beautifully. Then we put them in cute bags, tied them with colorful ribbons, and left them on all of my neighbors' doorsteps, spreading a bit of Christmas cheer.

That's the good news. The bad news: the gals left me with way too many extra cookies. Maybe it has to do with the fact that when we were finished we watched the season finale of The Biggest Loser.

And now I am in a dangerous position: It has been raining in Los Angeles for 5 days straight. It feels cozy and relaxing in my apartment with the Christmas tree lit, candles glowing, and endless Intervention marathons are airing on A&E. I am ripe for temptation. And those cookies are relentlessly haunting me on my kitchen table, calling to me. And each time I hear them,"Jen. Jen. Eat us...", well I have to go do just that. No choice in the matter. So, here's to the return of the double digit pant's size and lots of New Years' Resolutions revolving around cardio, carbs, and carrots.

In the meantime, enjoy these pics:

Sugar cookies decorated with care.

Here are some rice crispie treats we decorated with candy to look like wrapped presents. And that's me holding the most deliciously chocolate-coated pretzels ever! We dipped them in candy cane crumbles, crunched up Butterfingers, and wrapped in licorice whips. They were festive and yummy!