My Christmas List (because I've been very good...)

With these early sunsets and holiday weekends filled to the brim with parties and concerts, I have had no time to have fun in my kitchen.  It's not like I am not cooking.  I am.  It's more like I have no time to do new recipes (except the really awesome creamy honey mustard dressing I made... must repeat and share with you!) and no creativity flowing through me.  But one week from today I will be on Christmas break (one of the perks of my job; it's OK to be jealous) and I will have time and sunlight again.  Woot-woot!  Time to get back in the kitchen and make it happen!!! 

I have been seeing what other people are doing in their kitchens' and I am utterly impressed.  I don't know how many of these I will actually get to attempt (yes, ATTEMPT.  You and I both know that these ladies have superb talent...)  If you want to make them happen in your kitchen, I have linked each picture to the blog it belongs to.  Go make some Christmas magic!  I know I will, and I am looking forward to it.


Gina from Skinnytaste and her amazing low-fat Gingerbread Men:

So Creative!
Shelly from Cookies & Cups and her oh-so-clever Krispy Tree

Definitely making these:
Another one from Shelly, Candy Cane Pretzel Kisses

These, too.
Jane from A Taste of Koko and her homemade Peppermint Bark



And how cute are these?

Another one from Gina at Skinnytaste

And last, but certainly not least...

Sweet Sugar Belle and her Christmas awesomeness.
If you have never visited her page, you are missing out.  It is like a cookie museum of wonder. 

Inspiration: Give Me Flour

I have discovered another fellow blogger whose pictures/layout/everything inspire me to learn more.  I love the subject matter of the pictures and the way she captures the essence of the food in a small but powerful glimpse.  The way she lays them out on her blog is fabulous and I would like to find out what editing software she uses to make the taped-on-the-wall look.  Mostly, though, I love the way she makes the little recipes in the pictures. 

SO BEAUTIFUL!

One other great point is that she is Brazilian and her recipes are things that my husband drools over if I just mention...  time to get in the kitchen and make some Brazilian cooking magic happen!  (And I must give her props, she is learning English and is blogging proficiently in it.  I, on the other hand, am learning Portuguese and am no where near being able to write in it.  But it will come, have no fear!)

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the world of Amanda Areias.  Click on any of the pictures below to be taken to her blog, Give Me Flour.  (All photos belong to her, not me.)