Christmas Cookies

Our share of the cookies

Do you ever get the feeling that someone else has taken over in your body?  I had that recently. Every Christmas until I met Chris, with one exception, I have not baked a thing for Christmas. Not really. It wasn't that I didn't love cookies or candy, but I just didn't see the need in baking lots of cookies when I would be the only one eating them.  After Chris and I got married, I did end up making Oatmeal Raisin cookies at Christmas time. Why? I'm not quite sure since again I would be the only one eating the cookies. Chris doesn't like raisins (poor soul).

Since I've had Ginny, I feel like my mother has taken over in a strange way. I feel all domestic. More so than ever.  While I was at Mass on Sunday, I suddenly had this urge to bake cookies for the hospital volunteers at St. John's where I used to volunteer.  As I ruminated on that thought, it felt good. It felt like I needed to do it.  Then I figured that we could keep a good chunk of the cookies for ourselves, despite the fact that Ginny doesn't eat cookies yet. 

So, for the last few days, I have found myself quite busy with baking cookies and making candy for Christmas. I baked five different types of cookies: Oatmeal Raisin, Angel Thumbprints, Russian T-balls, Snickerdoodles, and White Chocolate Macadamia.  Additionally, I made White Chocolate-Covered Pretzels (with sprinkles) and Peanut Brittle.

It took a few days to get it all done. I would have been done sooner had I remembered to buy butter when I went grocery shopping on Tuesday. However, I finished all my baking and candy making yesterday afternoon. It felt great accomplishing this task.  My domestic side was fulfilled.

As I finished each batch of cookies or candy, I would put some on my cookie plates to keep at home. The rest would be divided with a large portion going into a bag meant for the hospital volunteers and some going to a friend of mine who lives in Arizona, Amy.  

The cookies we will drop off at the hospital today.

A while back, the last time I had an urge to bake, Amy told me that if I had a huge desire to bake again to go ahead and send some to her. She is a fabulous lady who deserves some treats in her life. So, I took her up on her request and will be sending some of these goodies to her.

Amy's selection of cookies

I did enjoy the baking I did this week.  I'm a bit out of practice and see the flaws in some of what was baked. I figure over the next few years, my baking attempts will improve. What I most look forward to is including Ginny when I bake. Next year, I figure that I will make sugar cookies and have her help me, just a little, with decorating the cookies. I can't wait!

In the meantime, Chris, Ginny, and I will be delivering the cookies to the hospital later this morning. I hope they enjoy them as much as I enjoyed making them.