Mainely Martha

The countdown is on; I am making my list and checking it twice…oh wait, that’s Santa! But, I am checking my stock of baking ingredients to ramp up efforts on getting cookies done.  There is nothing worse than getting elbow deep in baking and running out of something; and it is amazing how quickly the supplies dwindle when doubling batches.

Having put my best foot forward and getting an early jump on this seasons cookies that would freeze beautifully has resulted in a few sly boys raiding the stash each day after school. So, I guess that was just the practice round which obviously proved to be successful from the crumbs left behind. And now that the practice round is done, it’s game time…it is time to step it up and double batch everything; starting again with the orange cloud and chocolate marshmallow dream cookies. But this time, I will be utilizing video surveillance and alarm notification when the freezer is opened! And as the stock pile of cookies I had is now depleted, I now have plenty of freezer space for the replenishment efforts.

But, it is with the ovens on and the aroma of the baking cookies wafting through the house that adds to the joy of the season. It is what keeps the boys hovering and and even helping, hoping to get the cookies made that much faster. Not to mention being close by to get dibs on licking the bowl.

It is also the reminder of Christmas past and the memories of the baking that filled the house. It brings a warmth and comfort that adds to the love of the holiday and of home. So, as we head into the next couple of hectic weeks of holiday preparation, try to keep calm and bake while not losing sight of the true joy of the season.

The joy that you give others is the joy that comes back to you – John Greenleaf Whittier