I LOVE to bake. Am I good at it? Not really. I just like to give the stuff away and make people happy with food. This year it’s not gonna happen. I had rotator cuff surgery Nov. 1, and the arm is not going to be stirring anything for a little while. So what do I do? I go buy cookies! In fact, I’m going to buy one a day until Christmas. Here’s the deal though: I want them from local bakeries. Wish me luck.

The first thing I learned on my cookie quest is that Corina Bakery does not make holiday cookies.

I also learned that Metropolitan Market does not make any of their own stuff. The cute French baker’s hats are all just for looks.

Peggy's Cinnamon Rolls? Nope.

Finally I found Celebrity Cake Studio located next to Peggy’s in Freighthouse Square. Owned by sisters Odette D’Aniello and Mary Ann Quitugua, they are bakers to the extreme. Grand cakes, fancy desserts, and loads of Christmas cookies! The old school kind with a soft shortbread cookie underneath and creamy, colored sugar frosting on top. Good God I hit the mother lode. They were PERFECT. These girls make cookies right there on location about every three days.

For all of you having Christmas parties in Tacoma who want to use the ol’ Steph DeRosa’s “I just had surgery” excuse, this place is where you need to go. They sell platters ranging from $17.50 to $75.00 or individual cookies for $1.25. Although they have some platters on hand, you might want to order in advance. â€" Steph DeRosa

[Celebrity Cake Studios, Monday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday-Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 602 E. 25th St., Ste #2, Tacoma, 253.627.4773]