I was going to wait until it was officially 2008 to roll out this redesign, but I got so used to looking at the new header and colors while testing them out that I just can’t stand to look at the old ones any longer. :) So here it is! I hope you like it.

Although I’ve had a chance to work on the website here and there, I unfortunately did not have time to do the Bûche de Noël (aka Yule Log) for this month’s Daring Baker challenge. I know, what a way to start out as a newly minted DB, right? There are some fantastic cakes out there, though…take a look at the Daring Bakers’ Blogroll for a peek at their lovely creations.

One reason this month was so busy for me was due to time spent making treats to give as gifts. Last week, I spent 4 hours after work making three and a half batches of truffles with my friend K. We made ginger, plain chocolate, and cinnamon orange cocoa-dusted truffles, and soft chocolate/Grand Marnier centers enrobed in a crisp, bittersweet shell. We used Alice Medrich’s recipes (which are the ones I always use), and a mix of Callebaut and Guittard chocolates. They were heavenly!

I did learn some important lessons, however, that will stay with me the next time I fantasize about opening my own tiny patisserie - namely, that rolling chocolate for hours is actually pretty hard work! Still, there are worse fates than being coated in chocolate, don’t you think? I mean, it’s got to be much better than turning into a blueberry and having to visit the Juicing Room.

Anyway, before I out-dork myself with yet another silly reference, I’d like to give a scrumptious, ganache-covered thank you to every person who has stopped by to read cookworm this year. Even though the blog is only 6 months old, I’ve had a marvelous time connecting with people, learning all sorts of bloggy things, and of course, cooking! Here’s wishing you all a Happy New Year and best wishes for 2008. May the coming year be your most delicious one yet!

Posted by the cookworm on Wednesday, December 26th, 2007 at 11:47 pm.