Rebecca Rather - The Pastry Queen Christmas: Big-Hearted Holiday Entertaining, Texas Style

WRITING A BOOK IS a community effort, and happily for me, I live and work in an extraordinary community.

Thank you to the town of Fredericksburg and all of my great customers, who have supported me and acted as willing and cheerful subjects as I tested recipes for my first book and now the second. No one complained onceeven when I served Cajun Roast Turkey and Corn Bread Dressing as a lunch special during the dog days of August.

I especially treasure the kids who frequent the bakery, peeking in to say hi as Im working in the kitchen, and the parents who regularly make that possible. My young friends bring an energy and light that sustains me every day.

My business partner, Dan Kamp, keeps the bakery running smoothly, even while making endless emergency runs to the local HEB supermarket for a few last-minute ingredients I suddenly need to test yet another recipe. The publishing of my first book meant more days away from the bakery to teach classes throughout Texas, as well as embarking on a summer-long book tour. I left with confidence, knowing my able kitchen staff had it all under control. Thanks to Rosa Albiter Espinoza, Marcela Albiter, Romelia Arias, Blanca Aguirre, Beatriz and Tomas Albiter, and Bertine Jaramillo. Thanks also to my wonderful wait staff.

Some of my best friends are some of our best customers, which means I get to see them most days. I am so grateful to have them all in my life. Jackie Currie is often on hand, and shes never shy about sharing her astute assessments on how things ought to be run. (We dont always heed her advice; she might get a swelled head.) Lane Hutchins comes by for lunch several times a week and brings me minute-by-minute bulletins concerning my beloved horse, Junior, who boards with her. (I especially appreciate it when I get busy and cant escape from my kitchen to see him as much as Id like.)

Orthopedic surgeon Dan Robertson expertly put me back together when I shattered my wrist during the final stages of writing this book, and his wife, Kim, lovingly nursed me back to health after the surgery. After my wrist injury, kitchen whiz Sam McNeely moved back to town just in time to become my literal right-hand woman. She spent countless evenings helping me test the books last sixteen recipes.

Thank goodness for Penny Hughes, who runs Der Kchen Laden, one of Texass best kitchen stores, located just across the street. Whenever I need a cooking implement, shes got it. Thanks to Lauren Bade, a wonderful friend and supporter, who gussies up my photo shoots by lending me beautiful accessories from her eponymous gift shop.

Doug Comstock and his boys helped me in too many ways to count, and Paige Conn tested recipes once again and provided her usual excellent suggestions. I also want to thank her fifth-grade art class from Fredericksburg Elementary for making one of the most beautiful and original Christmas trees ever (see ). Inspired by artist Wayne Thiebaud, the students decorated it with colorful papier-mch cupcakes, cake slices, and cookies and topped it with a bright red cherry. The sign on the tree read: Merry Christmas with a Cherry on Top. I bought the tree at a local charity auction this year and displayed it at the bakery, where it drew countless admiring glances. Im sure it will become a Christmas tradition here for years to come. Thanks to everyone, family and friends alike, for offering their favorite recipes for this book.

None of this would have been possible without the folks at Ten Speed Press: publisher Lorena Jones, for continuing to believe; editors Lily Binns and Julie Bennett; and Dennis Hayes, a steadfast friend. Ten Speed art director Toni Tajima has given the book a distinctive and beautiful look. Thanks to super agent Doe Coover, who handles all situations with her customary cool and common sense.

Talented food photographer Laurie Smith, together with the endlessly creative food stylist Erica McNeish and prop stylist Sam Robinson, helped to make me and my food look good. (The former is a little harder than the latter, but Los Angeles makeup artist Amy Oresman used her considerable skills to aid me in the looking-good department.) Laurie, Erica, and Sam join me in thanking Kathy Harrison for the use of her chic guest house.

A special thanks to Lady Bird Johnson and her family for allowing us to visit and photograph the LBJ Ranch in Stonewall, and to Sue Bellows, the Johnson familys personal chef, for sharing several of her holiday recipes.