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It's finally December, and my hands are itchy to make things. How about you?

Today, I’m settling in with a cozy journal episode all about making (which includes, of course, baking)—the creative, connected kind that feels especially grounding this time of year.

I recorded this on the last day of November, after a snowy, white-knuckled drive to drop Owen off at his roommate’s house so the two could make their way back to campus together. I came home ready to curl up with tea, knitting, and a stack of holiday magazines, and that sense of relaxed creative energy became the starting point for today’s conversation.

In this episode, I share the story of returning to knitting after more than three decades. With the help of my neighbor Sue and a beginner-friendly washcloth pattern, I’ve been slowly rebuilding my knitting “muscle memory,” making mistakes, unraveling whole evenings’ worth of work, learning tension and shaping, and loving the meditative rhythm of it all. I’m not quite ready for knitted holiday gifts this year, but I’m excited to explore simple, festive projects—maybe ornaments, garlands, or anything that makes use of this new hobby without the pressure to perform.

And of course, no holiday-season conversation about making would be complete without a conversation about baking. Last year I baked a lot; but not a lot of different things. Instead, I leaned into a small rotation of beloved recipes (cranberry-orange everything), making them again and again until they felt like (tasty) old friends.

This year, I want to expand on that same idea, leaning into a few baking themes instead of trying to make every Christmas cookie in the book. Think tea-based baked goods, pastries, and maybe a recipe pulled from the history books. I’ll be using our upcoming community Holiday Baking Bee to establish this year’s treat lineup, and in the episode I talk through the recipes I want to revisit, where I’m looking for inspiration, and even the practicalities of keeping my feet, shoulders, and neck happy during long baking sessions.

I also share details about the Baking Bee happening December 5–7, how you can participate, and a few reminders about where to find member links, resources, and event info.

Our monthly episodes are a benefit for paying members of The Kettle Community. To hear the full episode and find those helpful links, as well as links to community events like our weekly Co-Create sessions on Zoom, our private Discord chat, and more.

Click below to listen to the full episode and join our peaceful, creative little haven! Annual memberships are 60% off through December 7, so this is a great time to join.