Christmas Cookies

Stored in the cellar in various, marked containers, the cookies waited to be assembled.  The family arrived--aunts and uncles and cousins to Grandpa and Grandma's house.  The traditional Christmas feast of turkey, ham, several salads, a variety of vegetables, a relish tray and rolls with butter was enjoyed. Although stuffed, the meal was not complete until several aunts disappeared into the basement to pull together an assortment of cookies and candies that was a delight just to look at--a collection of sweets that Grandma Stauffer had diligently and lovingly prepared in the weeks preceding the holidays.  

When individual families returned to their own homes, 

each made sure a left-over cookie container was in their possession 

with their favorites nestled inside.  

Early in our marriage, I tried to emulate Grandma Stauffer's Christmas-cookie skills in our own home, but they were never as pretty or tasty.

Was it the ingredients?  

Did I rush through the forming and shaping?  

Should I not let the children frost with creative flair?

Grandma Stauffer is no longer with us, but the cookie tradition is and will be.  Christmas is not Christmas without the cookie tray--which means a good variety--at our house.  Over the years, my skills have improved, and my children even make comments of "Ohhhh, Mom."

Me, digging in:  Cookie Season

The kitchen resembling a disaster area.

 It doesn't help that I try to wrap gifts, decorate, you name it, at the same time.
 Perhaps multi-tasking doesn't mix well with Christmas cooking-making.






There is also a problem in our household, in that I live with the "cookie bear."  Cookies seem to disappear as I make them.  Over the years, I have had to locate various hiding places so that cookies are still available on Christmas Day.  I have also realized it is best to make/bake the cookies when the cookie bear is busy elsewhere.  

Cookie Bear cleaning up the back yard?

Other things I have learned:

1) It is more fun to make cookies when one has help.

2) The "whoops" cookies can be stored in a container for the cookie bear so that when he gets the urge, it can be satisfied.

3) Grandchildren are best at assembling the cookie tray....

Today, after making/baking a dozen different cookies and candies, I know that when my children and grandchildren walk in the door with "Merry Christmas," the next question will be, "Where are the cookies?"

Cookie Bear:  Just sampling?

In the midst of Christmas preparation--

whether you are wrapping gifts, making cookies, 

or decorating the tree, 

let us all remember to open our hearts to God's abiding presence--

the reason for the season.  

Let the joy of the angels of Christmas become our joy,

let the devotion of the shepherds' become our devotion,

 let the vision of the wise men become our vision,

 and may the wonder of God's love be born in us.

Rouse up from sleep...He is coming; He is coming indeed.