I was born to bake... both of my grandmothers loved to bake, and I grew up at the kitchen counter, where I learned to make such treats as waffles, cookies, pies and traditional Norwegian dishes on my own from the time I was old enough (or tall enough, rather) to reach the kitchen counter with a stool. Now, baking is my sanity. I can't go very long without heading back into my kitchen, and I love to surprise others with special treats. Homemade with love! Are all things Norwegian, as that is who I am... and anything that brings back fond memories of someone, or sometime. I love to bake, and cook, anything from scratch... that extra step just brings me so much joy! Every Christmas, as far back as I can remember, we would have a family baking day about a week before Christmas Eve. All the women, and children, in the family (and I have a LARGE family) would come together in my grandma's kitchen and make loads, and loads of treats. Too many to name, though there were always such staples as Sanbakklse, Bolle, Kringle, Sugar cookies for the kids to decorate, sugar twists, nutmeg logs, and more. This has always been one of my favorite Christmas/baking memories! The first time I was able to successfully write, and successfully make, a recipe entirely in Spanish, was a huge "I did it!" for me. Having lived in Costa Rica after High School, I was eager to be able to write down and learn the recipes of friends and family down there. It was so fun the first time I was able to do that! I don't make mistakes! ;o) Or at least, no one finds out when I do!