Years before life got incredibly crazy (three kids, getting involved in way too much stuff, and the kids’ social lives taking over) two of my best friends and I used to get together right before Christmas and have an awesome cookie baking day.
I treasured those moments so much. I mean, it wasn’t only the baking and eating of delicious cookies all day that was so memorable, (oh and we did eat a lot of cookies…all day. This could have backfired and made us swear off cookies for the rest of the season, but…alas….it didn’t) it was the type of moments with friends that even when they are happening, you know they won’t last forever. Those moments that are so wonderful, you have that tugging at your heart when you know they are coming to a close. I remember looking at the clock as the day ticked by, hoping that somehow, by some sort of cheesy cliche Christmas miracle, time could slow down so I could have those precious moments with my friends for just a little longer.
The memories still seem so vivid even though we haven’t done it in years. The Christmas music that began, blaring on the (probably stereo?) radio, seeming festive and joyful for so long, only to be violently turned off at the end of the day as our ears could not take one more syrupy sweet song. The cookie recipes that we shared, some familiar, some brand new. Some with the strangest names (swedish lips anyone?). The meals we shared as the day went by, not believing we had all this time to spend together. I am not sure if it went through their minds, but it always went through mine. How did we not realize that we would miss this time so much? How come when we had the time to do this in high school, college and those years after both when you were just free to do as you pleased, we didn’t do it everyday?
It’s these memories with these friends that I hold close to my heart. I will always treasure the holidays and how it brings friends and family closer, and helps you to remember how much you treasure them.
This story kicks off my Christmas cookie week. As you are baking cookies this year, invite a friend over to join you. Share a glass of wine, a heart to heart chat, and a lot of cookies. You will treasure it forever.
I have so many favorite cookie recipes, many of which I will share with you. This one is one of my new favorite Christmas cookie recipes. I just tried it this year, and we love it already.
Happy Baking!
Lemon Cornmeal Cookies
1 8.5 ounce package of corn muffin mix ( I always use Jiffy)
1/2 cup quick cooking rolled oats
1/4 cup sugar
2 tblsp butter, softened
2 tsp milk
1 egg, beaten
2 tsp finely shredded lemon peel
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, stir together muffin mix, oats, sugar, butter, milk, egg, and lemon peel until well combined.
Form a tablespoon sized ball of dough and evenly space on cookie sheet. These do spread while baking more than you would anticipate so space them well.
Bake for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool. You may store them at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze them for later use. (Which I always do!)
Leave a Reply