While visions of sugarplums dance in her head

It's the season for sweeties and treaties (and interestingly, also for Sweeneys, makers of man-based meatpies).

So who else out there is consumed by the drive to bake and create lovely confections this time of year? My cravings, it seems, have hit a fever pitch. Of course my dietary concerns keep standing in the way of all my gingerbread ambitions, but this weekend I'll throw caution to the wind and attempt some of the delicious delights dancing in my head. Chocolate croissants, peppery gingerbread cake with meyer lemon sauce, lavendar cupcakes and egg nog ice cream are all possible contenders. The funny thing is, I don't even have a sweet tooth, really. I have, as you all know, a cheese tooth. And a good thing it is since my sister's redirected cheese bounty from Cowgirl Creamery arrived this week on my doorstep like a gift from the fromage fairy. Other pleasant presents that arrived in the post included oatmeal cookies and spicy cheese biscuits from my college conspirator, Anne. Thanks, A. They're delicious. But back to my sweet dreams. Whoever comes a-calling this weather is in for sugary goodness, chez Jamie. And in thematic fashion, I've got a fitting jingle from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang stuck in my head. An erdwurm as it were. Our Swiss friend Matthias tells us a song stuck in your head is called an erdwurm, pronounced urd-vurm and meaning a worm in your ear. (An aside: I kind of can't believe how excited I am that I had the organic occasion to use erdwurm in a blog entry). Anyway, this is the erdwurm of which I speak. If you don't know the song, go download it on iTunes. It's a perfect anthem for those with delicious nibbles on the brain.

Truly Scrumptious

Toot sweets sound like what they are
So do lollys in a lollypop jar
Gingerbread men have a gingerbread sound, we've found
Sugar plum cinnamon and lemon tart tell you what they are
right from the start
And your name does the same for you
By coincidence, Truly Scrumptious
You're truly truly scrumptious
Scrumptious as a cherry peach parfait
When your near us
It's so delicious
Honest Truly, you're the answer to our wishes
Truly Scrumptious
Though we may seem presumptuous
Never, never, ever go away
Our hearts beat so unruly
Because we love you truly
Honest Truly, we do
Truly scrumptious
You two are truly scrumptious
Scrumptious as the breeze across the bay
When you're smiling
It's so delicious
So beguiling
You're the answer to my wishes
Truly scrumptious
You two are truly scrumptious
And I shan't forget this lovely day
My heart beats so unruly
I also love you truly
Honest truly, I do

PS: A bit of Krissmus Karma: My friend C. just emailed me the following: "I have no sympathy for you and your white elephant party situation...I seem to remember your big grin while walking away with a Led Zeppelin box set last year."

Touché.