I was this close to posting a new recipe when I started getting a flurry of email about Christmas cookies (baking time, shelf life, etc...). It made me realize that if I did not start on my own Christmas baking soon, no one in the family would get their present.
For the past ten years, we have bagged the idea of buying presents for Bill's family and we give each (friends too) a big box filled with homemade cookies, truffles, confections. (Click on this link to see a sample look). Depending on the recipient we also include a couple of movie tickets, a coffee shop card, a babysitting pass, a gas card or two...you get the idea.
I personally don't mind doing all that baking, sends me back to my days as a pastry chef getting ready for the holidays. I also like that on Christmas Eve, it's Bill and I boxing it all up, labeling everything and of course...sampling the broken pieces.
Here are all the goodies going in the gift boxes this year, recipes gleaned from my archives and from all around the blogs I read and enjoy.
- Chocolate Fudge from Baked Bree
- Spritz Cookies from Rasa Malaysia
- White Christmas Meringues from Jul's Kitchen
- Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies from Brown Eyed Baker
- English Toffee from The Little Red House
- Speculaas Cookies from Gluten Free Canteen
- Key Lime Meltaways from Smitten Kitchen
- Pistachio Cocoa Nib Cookies
- Dark Chocolate Truffles
- Honey Walnut Cake (in mini muffin from this time)
Maybe this will give you an idea for a last minute baking spree!
In addition, as my Christmas gift to you, I am giving away one copy of Girl Hunter by Georgia Pellegrini and two copies of "Plate To Pixel. Digital Food Photography and Styling". Funny to think I was right in the deep of writing it this time last year and now it is in its third printing! Third!! Woohoo! Thanks everyone for the support and love for this book.
Anyway...Three books, three winners!
All you have to do is leave a comment at the end of this post (no anonymous, no double entry). A winner will be selected on Christmas Day at 10pm and announced shortly after.
332 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 1 – 200 of 332 Newer› Newest»I love the mantel decorations! Thanks for the list of cookies. I still have a little more to do (mainly to get rid of all of the chocolate and sugar in the house) and was looking for a few more new cookie ideas.
Happy Holidays to you, with much success and happiness in the new year! :)
Merry Christmas! Hope you and Bill have a wonderful time!
I generally follow your blog's feed, today I clicked on one of the images, I was sent to flickr and wow... you have a great album of wonderful pictures :) loved them all.
:)
I'll be happy to join in your giveaway idea :D so let's hope... ;)
My name: Saghi
Ooh, the Plate to Pixel book looks like it'd be super helpful.
Traditional holiday baking for me would involve frying doughnuts, which I really hate doing, so I think I'm just gonna make some brownies.
Merry Christmas! What a lovely giveaway gift idea. Thank you:)
I love the idea of giving big goodie boxes like that! It's always fun to get food gifts just to see what everyone else is baking. Merry Christmas!
I wish you happy holidays and strength to follow your passion as you did so far. I love your images, lines and recipes. I made some tartelettes from one of your recipes and they were very much appreciated.
Take care,
Catalina
Merry Christmas, dear! Have a good time and eat well.
Cheers,
Rosa
I love the roundup of goodies you made and I love love love your book and recommend it to everyone, all the time, as much as possible. It's the BEST book on food photography, period.
And Georgia's book..I would love to win a copy of that.
Happy Holidays to you and your family!
Ah, I've been wanting your Plate to Pixel Book forever!!!!
I love your cookie basket gift ideas. I wish we lived closer to family because they would love something like this. Happy baking!
So many cookies, so little time. This time of year, I always crave the ones my mother and grandmother made. As they were both prolific bakers, it makes it difficult to find the time to add new recipes to the inherited repertoire!
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas! All those treats sound delicious :)
Merry Christmas! I think I have the same snowman ornament as the one you have pictured at the very end.
I've wanted to read Plate to Pixel for awhile now actually as I love your photos and want to work on my own.
Merry Christmas Helene!
Warmest Wishes,
Margaret
--
margeincharge(at)gmail(dot)com
Your mantel decorations are adorable! Loving the cookie recipes you selected! Have a Merry Christmas!
Thanks SO much for the recipes listings. Your packages were beautiful! Merry Christmas.
LOVE the mantle decorations! Happy holidays :)
Everything looks so beautiful and your Christmas gift ideals are excellent! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas, and best wishes for the New Year! Thanks for the giveaway!
Wow, Congratulations on your 3rd printing. I would love to win a copy of the Plate To Pixel! Merry Christmas to you and your family. Take care.
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Everything looks so beautiful and I love the Christmas gift ideals! Merry Christmas to you and yours!!
Merry Christmas to you! :) I Hope you will have a wonderful time! /Matilda
Merry Christmas to you! Thank you so much for your wonderful blog. Because of you, I have made macarons, homemade buttercream, and have a HUGE list of other wonderful sweet & savory things to try out in the upcoming year. It is always a treat to visit your site and I learn so much. THANK YOU!
~holly in the "other" Charleston (WV)
Wow these are great ideas!! I hope you have a great Christmas!!
Great giveaways!! So excited!!
Good luck to all and Happy Holidays!!
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas season with your loved ones! :-)
Reading your last posts made me very nostalgic about family and Christmas, and spending this time of the year with the people we love. Its hard to lose any member of your family, but especially at this time of the year. I'm sure he was very proud of you- and as always, your food and photos look amazing. Merry Christmas x
Thanks for the great opportunity to win a book and Happy Holidays!
I'm baking biscoff/ speculaas cookies too! All those other goodies sound awesome. You have lucky family and friends :) Merry Christmas Helene!
Merry Christmas!
Good luck with all the baking. I'm sure all your friends will appreciate it!
Mmm, that toffee and those honey cakes sound divine! I knew that with work this year's baking spree would probably not happen so a few months ago I started a couple of huge batches of green walnut wine and green walnut liquor. They're both bottled and labeled and wrapped and ready to share (nevermind the not-quite-full bottles I'd been sipping from in the fridge to make the season merrier :D )
I am such a terrible procrastinator. I was really bad about getting my baking done this year!
Helene,
Thanks for such a nice giveaway. I know this holiday will probably be bittersweet for you, but know so many people are out here thinking about you.
Hope you have a chance to recharge and find some peace.
Hi. Love the Christmas decorations, especially the baubles with the snow man face . Cute. Merry Christmas!
Making more baked goods as we speak!
Coucou,
bonnes fetes et bisous de la France! I love your blog and the way you convey such a lovely atmosphere with your great recipes, your pictures and what you write!
I would love to win a book but I am not sure how this commenting works so I just leave my email Katharrr@aol.com
Joyeux Noel!
Well you really spoil your friends and family with goodies like that! :)
Thank you for the opportunity to win one of those wonderful books. I hope you have a great Christmas!
I just finished making butter cookies with my daughter Leah,4, and her cousin Alex,8. We had snowmen, raindeer, hearts, stars and Lightning McQueen cutout shapes (a character known by most parents of preschoolers). Then I saw your post about baking at Christmas. Perfect timimg! Merry Christmas everyone.
Helene!
Your photos are more than simple photos, they are work of art. Amazing and inspiring!
:D
Joyeux Noël et bonne année!
Jux
I made cake pops and rugelach, but that list of cookies sounds tempting.
Merry Christmas, and good luck with all your holiday baking. This year I went with a printed holiday card, but since we will be away from our families, no baked goodies from us...
I'm excited to participate in this giveaway as your book is on my wishlist! :D
Merry Christmas all! I love that snowman ornament!
Your mantel decorations are adorable!! Love it. Happy holidays!!
Merry Christmas! I hope to find time to bake today. Wishing you a joyous holiday!
You're doing wonderful pictures. I love Your blog. Merry Christmas Helene!
I always love your blog! This giveaway sounds awesome as I've been really wanting to get better at food photography/ read Girl Hunter!
Thanks and happy holidays! :)
I started giving my family food gifts at Christmas a few years ago, as well. And, it turns out I enjoy all the planning and frenzy of cooking/baking/prep/presentation. And, as an added bonus, my family looks forward to it, and appreciates it.
Helene - I'm tickled that you included our Speculaas in your gift boxes this year. Thanks so much for including them in your list! Have a wonderful holiday and here's to a fabulous New Year filled with delicious bites of great goodies.
Hoping to win your book! Have a wonderful holiday :-)
Happy holidays!
What a wonderful idea, we might need to do this next year for people!
Happy Christmas from the upstate!
Ok. So, it is my first comment here. I've read your blog for four years. But all this time I was afraid of say something. But today.. The occasion to get your fantastic book is too (oooo) big. Please do not think I only want to get. It's performance for me. I'm checking myself in writting in English and I hope I'm not making a lot of mistakes. I've got my own blog about food and photography, where I invite you to visit :) It would be a honor for me.
OO! It so long comment. I belive you smile now :)
I'm baking a panettone now, so it's time to conclude the speech :))
Big hugs for you, your family&friends! :))
Praline
lendryggen.blogspot.com
Sounds great!
Merry Christmas Helene! Beautiful photos as always, and what a goodie box that would be!
I love the photo on the Girl Hunter cookbook, it's a winner from 2011 in my opinion. Happy Holidays!
I've been baking late into the night in a quiet kitchen by the reflected light of a Christmas tree for almost thirty years now. Though my baking list is less ambitious and my packaging less creative, the love is the same. And this means Christmas to me!
Reading your blog makes me smile everytime. And as a photographer I learn a lot just looking at your photos (and reading your plate to pixel book, I bought is a while ago and it's great).
Have fun baking cookies and making those great presents out of them. And most of all: have a great Christmas!
These recipes all look great and I love the cute santa suit decorations! I didn't have time to make any foodie gifts this year, but I'm definitely going to bake some goodies to give away next Christmas!
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas,
Thanks! Katy x
I hope you have a merry Christmas, Hélène! Thank you for the generous giveaway.
Love the idea of the baked goodies in boxes for gifts! Merry Christmas :)
Joyeux Noel,
My mum and I always thoroughly enjoy cooking our way through your desserts and sweet treats. Your work inspires us, even when we are having a rough day. Thank you!
Holy extravagant goodie baskets! Seriously, those are beautiful. Happy holidays!
I also prepare cookies and sweets as gifts. This year I made merengue bites. I reallly like your box idea that can include other staff too!
Have a Happy Christmas!
Such thoughtful gifts and a whole lot of inspiration in that baked goodie list! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas Helene. I'm sorry you won't be spending it with your parents as you had planned. I think of your mother often and I do hope she is well. xo
Thanks for all the wonderful recipes. They have been enjoyed very much.
Happy holidays.
Thanks for all the last-minute baking ideas! Merry Christmas!
Sounds great!
I did a flurry of holiday baking for friends too. I love it, it's so much fun to give our friends our favorite holiday treats!
Your book was on my Christmas list, I am hoping it's under the tree, I would still love to win too!
Frohe Weihnacht!
Danke für die Rezepte und die tollen Fotos!
Why oh why are the delicious things in life so calorie-laden? Thanks Helene for sharing the goodie box idea for xmas - maybe next year I'll be organised enough to steal your great idea!
Merry Christmas to you and yours!!! Wow, what a wonderful gift idea.
I also make boxes of goodies to give away. I enjoy testing new recipes and this year added Pain D'Amonde and chocolate macarons. I love to see the looks on people's faces as they taste the scrumptiousness of these treats.
Love the idea of the boxes! Will have to remember those for next year.
Love your ideas... I've done a spiced pumpkin seed toffee in boxes as well. It goes over really well.
Merry Christmas
Jenifer
Would love to win! Merry Christmas!
Thanks for the recipe roundup, I can't wait to make my (GF) mom the GF speculaas cookies! I'd love to win one of the lovely books :)
sarahepardee at gmail dot com
I love your clothesline on the mantel, so cute! Merry Christmas, Helene!
Hello Helene! Looking forward to trying the Key Lime cookies. Sending you and yours a Merry Christmas greeting from Kansas City!
That's a lot of baking! And here I thought my coworker was crazy making 6-8 recipes to bring into work. Definitely inspiring though, and it puts your love of food on display! Merry Christmas!
I've been wishing for Plate to Pixel for a while now. Fingers crossed!
Plate to Pixel! I'd love to have a copy!
Amazing gift ideas! I will definitely have to try this next year!
Yum speculaas
Merry Christmas :) I heard it's a fabulous book!
oh my. English Toffee...I may not be able to resist.
I have also started giving away baked goodies. This year has been a bit hectic though.
Gina
Merry Christmas!
What a wonderful Christmas gift for 3 lucky winners...thank you and happy holidays
Merry X'mas Helene !! I love everything about your blog :-)
Thank you so much for these give-aways! Happy Holidays to you and your family!
Happy Holidays to you and your family! Thank you for all that you do!!
I love the snowman ornament! Happy Holidays!
Let me be one of the winner.. Happy Holidays!
Merry Christmas!
I do prefer practical gifts as well.
We just finished our wrapping which is totally my favourite part of christmas!
This was the first year I really put my heart into baking and sent goodies out to loved ones -- made me feel great to hear how much the homemade things mean to them. I may just make it a yearly tradition from now on.
I already have a (1st edition!) well-loved copy of your book, but the Girl Hunter one sounds intriguing.
Thanks for the giveaway, and Happy Holidays to you and yours, Helene.
Athena
Happy Holidays to you and yours Helene! Thank you so much for this chance, to win something you had in your talented hands! :) I was absolutely late to find your etsy shop to get your print, so this is the only chance. I already have your book and enjoying it enormously, but still would like to enter as it is from You :) Or if it would be possible in future, to get my copy signed if I ever meet you in person :)
Thank you so much for all the inspiration you share and wonderful things you create! :):)
My Best Wishes to you,
Yuliya
I love your mantel decor, it's adorable [:
So nice of you to be doing this giveaway.
Merry Christmas!
One of the best gifts I ever got was a giant tin of homemade goodies! There was a little music box magnet stuck to the inside of the lid, so when you lifted it for a treat Christmas music played. You goodie boxes look delightful!! And I love the softness in all of your Holiday photos, such a warm, inviting feel to them.
I love homemade gifts. Happy holidays to you and your family!
Merry Christmas and thanks for the links to your holiday goodies! I'm hoping to get your book for Christmas, so if I win I'll be able to pass one along to a friend...fingers crossed!
What a great Chriastmas present, to be a winner!
Happy Holidays to you and your family. Thanks for all the wonderful recipes all year long.
These cookies sound yummy---thank you for the recipes.
Merry Christmas. I'd love to win a book. :)
Merry Christmas, and congratulations on the third print run... that's awesome!!
Love the pretty ornaments and good cookie selection!
I love it! Sooooo yummy sounding :) Happy Holidays!
Merry Christmas! Thank you for the book giveaway!
Ben dying for a book!
just received food gifts from across the country. chutney and maple cream to remind me of a happy visit. enjoy the holidays!
I wish I could have baked more this year but with a new baby it's been difficult! I'll have to come back to your list of links next year.
This year my home made gifts included peanut butter and almond cookies. I had to stop myself eating too any before they made it into a gift box!
Love the recipe ideas!
OH my. Your book has been on my wish list for so long!
Those key lime meltaways sound heavenly. I love how a citrusy cookie lightens up a mix of the usual holiday favorites. Don't get me wrong, I love my frosted sugar cookies, but the tanginess of a lemon butter cookie provides a nice contrast.
Blessed Christmas!
Merry Christmas - hope you'll get as much as you give.
Love your pictures and styling. Have been making tons of your macarons as xmas gifts!!
Wishing you and bill a blessed and peaceful x'mas and a great year ahead!
wonderful books, I hope to be lucky enough ;-) Merry Christmas to everybody!
Happy holidays!!!
Wow Helene, you have a new post from a different reader every few minutes, that's really impressive! I wish you Joyeux Noël and happy new year :-)
Great gift ideas!! Merry Christmas!!
You have very pretty decorations! I made hot-chocolate-on-a-stick and eggnog this year, to give away to friends. I'm also making a couple of spice-cakes-in-a-glass today. :)
Happy holidays!
I 'd love to win! Happy holidays!
Won't be able to bake all those goodies for this years christmas but they have been marked for next year! :)
I wish you and your loved ones a very Happy Christmas and all the best for the coming year 2012!
That snowman is so cute! :)
Would absolutely love a copy of your book. The next best thing to receiving a box of Christmas cookies! Great idea. Merry Christmas!
You make quite the box of baked goods! Thanks for the giveaway!
Happy Holidays! Love your blog!
hi helene,
since i never won anything {apart from a box of crayons when i was 6 years old} i don't have my hopes up ;-)
just wanted to wish you and your loved ones a very merry christmas.
i read your blog on a regular basis {almost every day} and i love it. your picture taking is divine and "plate to pixel" is on my amazon wishlist anyways ;-) this year i will get a camera as a present and then i will try to take lovely pics as well...
xo, helene {from germany}
Merry Christmas to you and your family Helene!!
Je te souhaite un bon réveillon et un joyeux Noël.
Valérie.
Love giveaways... Merry Christmas!
Love your mantle art! I made something similar this year (not quite as charming) with felt and clothespins. Merry Christmas!
Merry christmas...happy baking
Merry christmas
Wishing everyone a lovely holiday! A chance to win - another Christmas delight to look forward to!
Merry Christmas to all!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thank you for all your ideas and inspiration this year!
Love your decorations! I spent three full days last week baking Christmas treats for my grandkids...a labor of love!
Thank you for a very warm holiday message. I love the baking ideas you have and the decorations on the mantle are awesome. Congrats on your third printing of Plate to Pixel. I use it all the time. Merry Merry.
I hope you have a wonderful and Merry Christmas! I too, am in the middle of a baking flurry. I completely did not realize that Christmas is -tomorrow- and am now behind. lol My hustle and bustle is in the kitchen at least instead of the malls fighting other shoppers.
I would really love a copy of your book. I've been eye-ing it and it's on my wish list. Unfortunately, purchasing a new book is at the end of my list (after bills and attempting to make my kids Christmas a good one).
Reading your post this morning has me adding to my baking list for today! I'm adding those key lime meltaways & white Christmas meringues to my gift boxes now. :-)
Happy Holidays to Everyone!
~Melody
Merry Christmas! Books and food are always welcome gifts!
Merry Christmas!
Thank you for giving so much of yourself! It is really appreciated. Merry Christmas!
Oh, I would LOVE a copy of Plate to Pixel! That would be perfect Christmas present. :-)
Merry Christmas! Very nice decorations.
I'm not commenting because I want to win the book, I'm commenting to tell you I HAVE it and LOVE it! I've been reading it voraciously and already picked up some excellent tips to take my photos to the next level! Just need to upgrade my lighting options but I enjoyed so much seeing the behind the scenes photos and the set ups. It's a really great read, comprehensive and well written - the best I've ever purchased on food photography! Thanks for all of your hard work!
How wonderful! I'd love to win one of these!
Merry Christmas to you and your family and thanks for all the inspiration you are giving me with each of your posts!
Your photographs are always so beautiful! Thanks for sharing them with us :)
I'm trying to do the same this year with gifts, giving away cookies, for which I've already made the dough and froze them, so they only need to be baked and packed. thanks for the other links too, there's always room for more baked goodies :)
Happy Holidays, Helene! I love the cookie baking time of year!
Your blog is always like a little bit of sunshine. Thanks for another great year!
Wonderful set of cookies!
Happy holidays! I'm living vicariously through your mouth-watering list of cookies because this year is the first year in a long time that I have not made cookie boxes for friends.
(Also wanted to let you know there's a tiny typo in your cookie list above. I believe you meant to write muffin "form" rather than "from.")
Your spare (in the best sense) images allow the food to breathe in the space you create. Nothing short of inspiring... Merry Christmas to you and yours.
I love the boxed goodies you give away!
I am not making any cookies for gifts this year but I still need to make triple layer peppermint bark for Santa (my children insist without their gift from him will not be as good). For teacher gifts I made cracked wheat bread and paired it with a jar of jam. Happy Holidays to you!
Yum! I am always so excited to try the recipes you post! My husband got me your book for Christmas this year and I am loving it! I got him a book on baking artisan bread, so while he bakes, I practice the techniques in your book It's a match made in heaven. :) I hadn't heard of the Hunter Girl book, but it looks interesting! I'll have to add it to my Amazon Wishlist! Thanks for sharing!
Joyeux Noel...merci pour les recettes, ca donne envie de les essayer et je ne suis pas une bonne patissiere.
Your photos are so gorgeous :)
Absolutely love your blog and your photography. Baking makes the holidays fun for me!
Since stumbling on your website several months ago, I have made several of your recipes--most recently your financiers. They were wonderful and everyone loved them in their xmas goodie bags. Your photography is beautiful and inspiring.
It's been a pleasure to pop over this year to soak up your food styling photos and inspiration. I resolve to improve my own photography in the New Year (and I have an inkling that a new lens is under the tree with my name on it-lol).
On the baking front, my daughter and I baked gingerbread people and reindeer this year and at the last minute decided to use a small heart cookie cutter to cut out a heart shape in the center of each gingerbread cookie. Perfect final touch.
Happy holidays!
You have some of the cutest snowmen decorations I have seen! I collect snowmen because they can stay put a little longer than the other Christmas decorations. I love your idea of giving "goodies" for gifts. I may have to try this next year. Thank you for such a wonderful blog. Merry Christmas to you. :-)
Enjoying each and every issue of your blog and the photos, so beautiful and evocative. Looking forward to another year of food, flavors and photos. Wishing for you a happy and loving holiday.
Merry Xmas!!!!!!!!
Happy holidays! What a wonderful giveaway!!
This sounds wonderful! I've been doing this on a smaller scale for quite some time. Its tough since my time is so constrained but I do what I can! Merry Christmas Eve!
Thank you for your blog! I have learned so much! Happy holidays
I always love your photography and your recipes! Have a Happy Holiday and a Wonderful New Year!
Happy Holidays! Love the gift box idea-
Have a wonderful Christmas, I just found your blog and started following, love your photos....I am an old school photographer(film) and you've been an inspiration to learn digital and food.......thank you!!!
I have really enjoyed reading your blog! I too like to give homemade goodies to family and friends. It is always so much nicer to receive something that that your heart went into than something bought.
Merry Christmas to you and yours and may the New Year be a Blessing!
Thanks again for all of the great ideas in the kitchen!
Your gift boxes look yummy (wish I were on your gift list).
Merry Christmas!
Diane
Love your mantel! Now we know where baby Santa gets his laundry done!
Cheers & Happy Photo-ing!
Angela
My daughters and I bake cookies, one recipe a night, over the holidays...we usually don't get started until they are out of school and their lives settle down a little bit, but we eat almost everything we make :) It's nice to have ready baked fresh cookies for any drop in guests though. One of my students in the culinary program at our community college gave me the most wonderful gift box with some of the most beautiful, tasty confections inside!! I loved it!! My family actually fought over the red velvet brownie!!
Have a wonderful holiday!
Que disfrutes de uns hermosa navidad
navidad en familia muy lindas
recetas
Happiest of Holidays! My favorite gifts have always been handmade and baked goods are among the top. Being able to share something made with love is the best. And your blog is the best! Merry Merry Merry!
Happy Holidays! Thanks for creating such lovely recipes!!
Your gift boxes are beautiful. It's too late for this year, but next year...! Thanks for your wonderful recipes and ideas. Merry Christmas.
Thanks for the generous give away. I nearly started baking again this morning and had to stop myself. I have one cake left to make for tomorrow and I'm done, but like you, I bake to give. It's the best kind of gift giving. Merry Christmas. Look forward to a new blogging year in 2012 and many visits back.
I love your mantel decorations...the mini clothes line is so cute. Your friends and family are so lucky to receive such wonderful home-baked gifts each year. Merry Christmas!
Ooh, both books are on my wish list! Have a very happy Christmas!
Merry Christmas!!!!
Merry Christmas to you and yours. I've SO enjoyed each and every past this year and look forward to 2012.
I love the idea of giving homemade goods ... and a little something else. I may have to adopt that idea next year! And I just bought Plate to Pixel ... can't wait to dive into it.
Merry Christmas! What a lovely gift giveaway!
I love you site...would love your book too. Have a very Merry Christmas and a happy new year!!
Your mantel decorations are so charming and quaint! Really love them and gives me an idea for
R our home next year. You baking list looks amazing - lucky friends and family! Merry Christmas!
Happy Holidays!!! Thanks for another year of great photos and recipes. Would looove a chance to get your book!
... love your presents with home made treats and personal fun items.
Joyeux Noël!
Merry Christmas, and thanks for the inspiration :)
Thank you Helene for sharing your Christmas recipes! No time to bake anything today but will certainly save for next year! merry Christmas!
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