Today was our annual Cookie Day get-together and what a wonderful time to share the joy and anticipation of the season. Last year, the Covid pandemic put our Cookie Day plans on hold so we were all doubly excited to cook, create, play and hang out.
Terry and I arrived around 9:30am to holiday greetings, laughter and hugs. The house looked amazing. Jill, Josh and Levi really pulled out all the stops with every nook and cranny filled with Christmas cheer.
We all baked our little hearts out, hummed along to Christmas carols, watched a little football, ate a lot and all in all just loved on each other and reveled in the spirit of the season.
The house dressed in festive, holiday finery.
Little “happy’s” were waiting for us and I couldn’t be more excited. Dad, Janice and Jill put on their magical elf hats and made cookie cutter Christmas wreaths with a jaunty bow and vintage-style images inset. Along with the wreath was a sugar cookie mix and a holiday spatula.
In the sunroom, a gorgeous spread was laid atop vintage table cloths while the turn table spun vinyl holiday tunes. We devoured sausage balls, nibbled on a meat and cheese tray to keep our strength up, and my favorite, a savory cheeseball. We brought a crockpot full of chili while Jill and Josh provided all the toppings.
Chris watches as Janice puts on a 50’s inspired apron with Wagoneers with wood grain paneling and plaid thermoses.
Colorful cocktails for all to share. You definitely had to try the Christmas Margarita with a sugared rim, cranberry juice,
lime juice, tripe sec, a splash of tequila topped with frozen cranberries. Cheers y’all!
Before we all gathered in the kitchen to create our treats, Dad and Janice had been busy making a host of baked goodies including elegant jam filled Linzer cookies, the affectionately named “Christmas crack” which are saltine crackers topped with a variety of melted chocolates and crushed candies and Italian Wedding Cookies dusted with snowy confectioners sugar.
Roy, Lily, Elijah and Karma arrive ready to join in on all the fun. They also spent the night. Color me jealous.
Dad working on creating the best pecan sandies I have ever had. Hit the road Keebler elves!
Lots of onlookers while Jill whips up a batch of Gingerbread Spice Cookies.
Roy and Lily pound out a tray of chocolate covered strawberries drizzled with white chocolate. Be still my heart.
The cabin is decked out in rustic, holiday charm.
The kiddos opened their happy’s which happened to be holiday spatulas with a variety of cookie mixes and even a teeny, tiny iron skillet. Dad, Levi and Elijah headed down to the cabin to whip up a batches of cookies.
Terry working on his stubborn chocolate fudge while Chris models his Dickens era top hat.
Orange Slice Cookies using sugary, retro orange slice candies. They were amazingly delicious.
Jill instructing Levi on how to use the cookie press to make our tried and true Spritz Cookies.
Josh making old-fashioned Buckeye Cookies he remembers from his childhood.
Christmas Crunch with popcorn, salty pretzels, and red and green M&M’s drizzled with white chocolate and Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies.
