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Hi Reader!

I recently spent some time in the southern part of California near where I grew up. I love it so much down there and as soon as I hit LA, I feel like I'm home.

I spend about 30 minutes being terribly nostalgic and then quickly shift to deep-in-the-bones road rage. The traffic is just beyond.

I was gone for several days and when I returned home I was treated to the loveliest comments over on the blog! When I say you lift my spirits, I'm not just filling up space with text. I truly mean, I smile when I read your comments. 💗

This is what I love about baking so much. It's a solitary act (mostly) that is so relaxing. But it has the added social/community side to it, in which you can share beautiful treats with the people you love.

I had a friend give me cookies just this past weekend and it made my day (thanks Molly!).

I'm sharing some of those comments + recipes with you if you scroll down a bit (go look!). And I also wanted to share a couple of other things with you...

A Fourth-Quarter Reset

I'm doing what you might call, a fourth-quarter reset. This past month has been a lot 😵‍💫 and so I wanted to dedicate this week to thinking about how I want to end out the year as well as look forward to the upcoming year(s) ahead.

Nothing dramatic. Life is a series of small actions that build to bigger things. And yes, I love Atomic Habits and I know I've talked about it before (I reread it every year and it is a great gift for anyone and everyone).

The notion that small actions yield bigger results is the framework of this reset...

If you decide to do this mini reset, ask yourself these questions:

1. What are the small things I can do every day, that will give me joy? Setting aside 30 minutes to read (me)? Being on my phone less (me)? Being outside more (also me)? What small joy can you weave into your everyday life that will just make it better (it could be always having coffee in the morning in your favorite chair with your latest favorite book before everyone gets up). Don't make it too complicated; you want a doable action.
2. If you look ahead 2, 3 or 4 years, where would you like to be and what does that look like for you? Days can blend into each other and next thing you know, you haven't done the thing you've always wanted to do. What steps can you do to make those things happen? What small thing could you do right now that might lead to bigger things? Think about work, travel, friendship, hobbies, relationships...this is your story, what do you want this chapter to look like?
3. Lastly, and most importantly, if I've learned anything, don't overwhelm yourself with crazy plans. Start small for three months and then check back in. How did you do? Set a reminder in your calendar to review your goals and dreams quarterly and make slow and steady progress. That's how you make meaningful change.

Also, I know we're going into the holidays and they can be manic for some people and lonely for others. Think about what you like or don't like about this time of year and see what you can fix. If they feel too crazy, maybe don't say yes to everything (this is hard). If they feel lonely, volunteer. Nothing creates connection and lifts my spirits more.

Here are some other things I'm doing...

Reset Your Algorithm

I desperately needed an algorithm reset on Instagram. I will always be engaged with politics (and still am), but my feed is stuffed to the gills right now and I need to see more puppies and travel photos for a bit of balance.

If you are suffering from this fate and need a mental deep breath, start searching for the things you want to see and like those photos that speak to you.

I started searching for European spring travel destinations, puppy yoga (I mean...), winter fashion, cake decorating, holiday crafts and New York brownstone interior design.

Make sure you like some photos in each search and the algorithm will start rewarding you with new content. When we get too narrow in the algorithm it narrows our world view. We need to widen the scope.

Listen, Read, Watch

I have been listening to this Ella Fitzgerald playlist while cooking and this 528 Hz playlist while I work. You can read more about the significance of 528 Hz frequency here...this tone induces relaxation. At least that is what 'they' say and I kinda believe them.

I'm reading Be Ready When Luck Happens (Ina, our queen) and a fluffy but good novel called The Wedding People.

As for watching...the Martha documentary (Netflix) is loaded with moments where I would say, 'wait, did she really just say that?' This NY Times article is an interesting Martha Stewart piece (I don't think it's behind a paywall), Was Martha Really the Original Influencer?

Martha and Ina don't like each other. I find this beef fascinating...even more so because they both publicly talk about it.

Also watching English Teacher (Hulu; I rewatched it again!!), Somebody, Somewhere (HBO MAX; the third and final season is happening now) and I rewatched the first Bridget Jones's Diary and it was a fabulous brain vacation.

In the past 24 hours I've seen news about a *new* Bridget Jones movie (I can't wait), as well as the upcoming seasons in 2025 of Hacks and White Lotus. Two of my favs.

Um, Let's Get Outside More!

This is what I'm telling myself everyday. A walk, putting your face in the sun for 10 minutes...coffee outside with a friend...which brings me to the next thing...

Community

Many of us need more of this in our lives. We're all so busy. But this is your push to text a friend you haven't chatted with in awhile, make plans to get that coffee with someone that makes you laugh, try a new restaurant...it doesn't have to be a lot or expensive.

But it's all about the people we surround ourselves with and the love that we give and receive, right?

Also, just making cookies and then dropping them off with friends is such a low lift/high yield activity that makes everyone feel amazing.

Oh, and one of my favorite Substacks (and podcasts) that talks about community quite a bit is by Helen Anne Petersen. I believe it's even the focus of her upcoming book...

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I know I had more to say...but the sun is starting to set and I would love to take a walk before it's dark out! Read these sweet comments below, bake some sweet treats and share them with the people you love!

You're fabulous!

​Chocolate Coconut Bundt Cake​

This is my favorite Bundt pan for this cake. I have very detailed instructions on this post on how to prep your bundt pan so that your cake comes out perfect every time!

This recipe + the bundt would make a great gift. I will have a gift guide coming to you soon!

​Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies​

This has been the most-baked recipe for the past...three months maybe?

I have a post coming out soon (with step-by-step photos) for making the hard caramel (aka burnt sugar). Keep your eyes peeled for that...plus two more recipes that use hard caramel/burnt sugar (because I love it so).

​Banana Cake with Espresso Buttercream

Edith, I loved your gf notes on this cake. Thank you!

​Fudgy Crinkle Brownies​

My favorite go-to brownie recipe. Thanks for this note Kelli!

​Raspberry Streusel Muffins​

I love that you're still baking these muffins! As a reminder, you can use frozen raspberries for these (see the Notes section below the recipe for more information).

I didn't include all of Adina's comment, but she ended with this:

"I’ve definitely followed recipes where the intended result did not come through but with this recipe, my muffins truly look like your photos." 💗

​ "Following up on her acclaimed debut, The Cookie Book, writer, photographer, and recipe developer Rebecca Firth tackles cake in her new book. You may have trouble picking which recipe to start with: Chocolate Stout Cake with Champagne Buttercream or a tart, sticky Glazed Tangerine Donut Cake?” ― Epicurious, 25 New Baking Books for Cozy Fall Treats THE CAKE BOOK

​ "Writer, photographer and queen of cookies, Rebecca Firth teases my sweet tooth and I am not mad about it. Love following her and her tempting creations and can't wait to see what she comes up with next." ―Tiffani Thiessen, actress and author of Pull Up a Chair ​ ― Food & Wine, Best Baking Cookbooks to Own Right Now THE COOKIE BOOK