Mainely Martha

Ok, Thanksgiving and Black Friday have past and now it is time to get down to business…the countdown is officially on. It is time to start the baking, doing party prep and all the joy in which that entails. After all it is the most wonderful time of the year!

As cookies are a big part of my Christmas, today was the kick-off to baking. A double batch of the orange cloud cookies, followed by a couple batches of chocolate dough for the turtle treasure cookies.  The orange cloud cookies freeze beautifully and can be eaten straight from the freezer, making the the obvious first bake of the season. Followed by the chocolate caramel treasures dough to be tucked away to chill until right before sharing. However, the cookie dough made in advance is a huge benefit to get some of the work done in advance.

Another part of the holiday season, bigger than cookies, are the holiday gatherings. Thanksgiving, although profound for giving thanks,  is merely the prelude to the  joy of the season in coming together with friends and family. This is why, in between batches of cookies, there is menu planning. Reviewing and /or testing appetizers and cocktails for the mix and mingle events to the main dishes and desserts for larger events.

For it is the coming together with friends and family that exudes the true feeling of Christmas.  Eat, drink and be merry are the simple joys that make the season bright. So get planning and start baking…tis the season!

And continue to check in throughout the holiday the season for new cookie, appetizer and cocktail recipes that will be added regularly.

“Christmas is a togethery sort of holiday” Winne the Pooh