Tis The Season

Christmas was always a big deal at Nana's  house. The tree would go up the day after thanksgiving and about 10 moving boxes worth of ornaments would be hauled down from the attic. Mind you she has a collection that would rival the North Pole but 10 was about as many as the poor tree could hold. 

Folks I Know This Kid, She Never Learned How That Thing Worked

Not long after the floor would be littered with packages and anticipation would prevent even the most patient person from sneaking  a shake or two of the packages. Mailing out Christmas cards was a project that I'm certain would make Santa's elves cringe but somehow each hand written card would make it to the recipient before the big day. 

"Hurry And Take The Picture, SANTA'S COMING"

Somehow in all the bustle the focus on Christ was slightly amiss. There was the annual midnight mass, cranky children dressed in their finest, focus on whether Santa would miss them because they weren't home sleeping and dozing in the pews. Mind you, there was always a special naivety seen specially placed as a reminder.

 Papa would spend hours longing the driveway with candle light milk jugs, besides it being a beautiful tradition  I never knew the reason why. 

"That's All, Where's The Rest of The Gifts"

As an adult I thought for many years my families traditions needed to be the same. As I've grown I have yearned to change the focus from the chaotic focus of materialism to a more faith focused and simplified celebration. This year I took a general consensus of our family. Most everyone wanted the same thing, time together as a family. 

Coooookies!

My son, who is prime for all things Santa and Christmas fun, requested Christmas cookies. There was something I never really did during the holidays. Baking wasn't big in my family so I never gave it much thought. 

A Little Bit Of Butter Makes A Bitter Batter Better 

In honor of my little mans request, here is a wonderful multi- purpose cookie base recipes. Make a bulk supply, store it in a tub, and when needed scoop out an ample portion, add your chocolate chips or oatmeal & raisins or what ever you like. 

1 c. butter
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
3 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt

• Cream butter, add sugars and mix well. Add eggs and vanilla. Add flour, sifted with salt and baking soda, a little at a time. 
• Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.

Chocolate Chips: add 1 package chips and 1 cup nuts. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheet.

Oatmeal: Add 1/2 tsp. cinnamon and 1/4 tsp. nutmeg to dough and mix well. Blend in 1 to 1 1/2 cups oatmeal and 1 cup raisins, if desired. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheet.

Decorated: Press teaspoonful of dough with glass covered with damp cloth, and sprinkle with any candy decorations and bake. Icing may be spread on plain cookie after cooling.

Peanut Butter: Add 1 cup crunchy peanut butter to dough and blend well. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheet, press with bottom of glass covered with a damp cloth. Mark flattened cookie with tines of fork and bake.

Pecan: Add 1 cup broken nuts to dough.

Genesis 18:6

So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah, and said, "Quickly, prepare three measures of fine flour, knead it and make bread cakes."