…until CHRISTMAS!
That’s what I saw in my friends signature line this morning. We haven’t even gotten through Halloween or Thanksgiving, and yet Christmas is staring us down already.
This year, I have decided to do as much homemade/handmade stuff as possible for Christmas gifts, starting with cookies. Every year I bake cookies for everyone my husband works with, everyone I work with, several friends, our family, and for us (let alone the ones that I sell). All total there are usually 20-30 tins or trays being given out, and every year I set my expectations really high for what I want to get done. This year, my cookie wish list has over 16 varieties of cookies on it, and for most I will be making multiple batches. My house will turn into a virtual bakery & sugar shop from November through New Years.
Most people I know would be paralyzed by fear if the knew that they needed to make so many cookies…on their own…using only their kitchen. I, on the other hand, love to bake. I look forward to every fall with the holidays and the food, and yes, to the cookies. I have so many fond memories surrounding baking, whether it was preparing chocolate chip cookies for my youngest brother (I used to make a batch a week) or my mom letting me experiment at the holidays. I hope that I can create similar memories with my own children. David already has a love of cookies, and of chocolate chip cookie dough; while Emily longingly stares at the cookies, and will have to wait until next Christmas to have her first tastes of the sugary treats.
My mind is wandering to all of the delectable bites that will soon come from my kitchen…Chocolate Chip, Manunka Chunk, Oatmeal, Hermits, Gingerbread, Sugar cookies, Spritz, Butter Cookies, Pizzelles, 5 layer bars, Pecan Tassies, Peanut Butter Blossoms, Baklava, Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies, Chocolate Crinkles, Snickerdoodles, Cranberry Shortbread, Biscotti…and the list goes on.
If you don’t want to do your own holiday baking, I’d be happy to do it for you. It means that I can create even more varieties of cookies, and try out new recipes too!
So if you are a friend, family member, or co-worker you now understand why you smell the faint aroma of sugar, spice, and chocolate any time you are around me for the next sixty-nine days. My cookie obsession is under way…