For the Sake of the Call

For the Sake of the Call

Dec. 8, 2006 - The Beginning of the Christmas Cookie Baking

Despite our efforts to eat healthier, we have not banned chocolate or sugar from our house. It's a good thing too, because these cookies would not be the same without them!

I'm getting ready for a cookie exchange at church. In all honesty, I'm not a big fan of cookie exchanges. I'm a bit of a cookie snob and there are many that I don't like (anything with coconut, nuts, or that fruit stuff!). I generally prefer my own cookies and detest trading them for lesser ones (I told you I was a snob!). But I'm going because I'm really hoping that I can make friends with some more of these ladies. The initial excitement of the move is behind us, and I've begun to feel lonely for "girlfriends" more often. Don't get me wrong, all you HSB buddies are fantastic, but nothing beats a face-to-face conversation, and unfortunately, neither honeybee nor artsymama are within 15 minutes drive, so our visits are sporadic. Anyway, I digress. It was my intention to write about COOKIES!

I visit allrecipes.com frequently for new recipes, and found a recipe for Big Soft Ginger Cookies there last Christmas which I love! I've always liked the flavor of gingerbread men or my mom's Old Amish Cookies, but I prefer a chewier cookie, so this recipe was a great find for me! Since I ran out of ginger before I could make 6 dozen of these yummy cookies, I also made my old favorites Chocolate Crinkles. I think these were one of the first kinds of cookies that I learned to make and it is enjoyable-- albeit messy--to make them with my own kids. Even the youngest child can roll the dough into a ball and then around in the sugar (with a great amount of supervision and numerous hand washings after finger-licking!) Sigh! It would be much easier to do it myself, but how then would they learn? Sometimes you must tolerate the mess and then pray for a Rhoomba and Scooba for Christmas. HaHaHa!

Seriously, it was a mostly peaceful, productive time with the kids. Does it get any better than hearing your 5 year old daughter say that she plans to make cookies for her husband when she grows up? And can you really pass up the opportunity to teach your son to bake cookies, while he is willing? Someday he may grow up to make cookies for his wife like Chickadee's husband does! As crazy and overwhelming as it can get, I still love keeping my kid's home with me! And "Kitchen Math" sure is delicious! :)

Now, what shall we have for dinner?

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Dec. 8, 2006 - love my scooba

Posted by javamamma

Have the cookies for dinner. Or really do you need dinner after eating all the cookie dough...or is that just me. :o)

So do you have a Roomba and Scooba? I got a Scooba a couple months ago and am persistently praying for a Roomba. I LOVE my Scooba!

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Dec. 8, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Honeybee

Well! Eat cookies, of course!!! :)

I've been thinking about you a lot! Let's get together again soon :)

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Dec. 8, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Molly

This is too funny for me to read since we had our "cookie exchange" together last year for Fiar! You are a cookie snob, LOL! Admitedly, I am too so I can't really point any fingers. The reason I laughed when I read this is because I am on-line right now looking up YOUR chocolate crinkles from last year to make!! They were so good and I want to make them to give as gifts to friends. Plus the girls can help. Isn't that funny??

I'm sorry you're longing for friends, I understand completely. Moving is always hard and I never liked being the new person in a group, etc. Hey, maybe I'll throw my 3 kids in the car and drive on up to you, with all my free time! Ha-ha! Take care and tell the girls how much they're missed by my 3 girls (:

Molly (:

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Dec. 8, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by homeschoolhighlites

Your ginger cookies look sooo yummy!
What is a scooba? and...
I enjoyed your St. Nicolas shoe photos - so cute. Does this mean you don't hang stockings Christmas Eve?? I would guess not.

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Dec. 9, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by chickadee

what fun and it all sounds so delicious. my husband got on a cookie making kick after that first night when i had the headache and made them 2 more times. i got plenty! and i loved it.

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Dec. 9, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by nsremom

your 5 yo daughter said that she's going to make cookies for her husband?! That's the sweetest thing. What a good role model you're being for her.

and I'm with you on the no nuts/fruit thing in my cookies.....but if there's candy anywhere near them? I'll eat 'em. :)

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Dec. 9, 2006 - I know what you mean!

Posted by ArtsyMama

I know what you mean about being a cookie snob. I love the cookies we make, and the thought of exchanging them for some thin, oily cookie just makes me a bit hesitant. They are fun, though... and sometimes you hit the jackpot and can get a good recipe to add to your collection.

Then, my germophobe thoughts start asking, "Do they have a TEN second rule instead of a FIVE second rule? Does anyone have the flu in their home? Does Suzie Homemaker use a four-day-old sour, cold sponge to clean her kitchen, or does she use hot, soapy water?" I'm not the wipee-antibacterial-non-hand-shaking-doorknob-avoiding-mask-wearing type of germophobe, but I must admit to looking down the eye of a microscope and being a little freaked out.

On a lighter note... here's a cookie hint for you! A Mennonite friend of mine makes the best chocolate chip cookies. They actually stay moist, chewy and luscious for days. Take the normal Nestle recipe and add one small box of vanilla instant pudding mix to the dough. This is SO yummy!

Have a great time... and let's get together soon! Our home, on a Sunday, after the holidays!

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Dec. 9, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by JenIG

yum! those look de-lish. our kitchen has turned into a cookie production factory... and coie just informed me that she is going to start her famous Christmas candies this week. good golly, i can already feel the pounds forming around my hips!

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Dec. 10, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by ReneeM

yeah!!! we did Christmas baking last night and this morning... one more day and we'll be done... it would be faster without my children!! :) But not as memorable!!

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Dec. 14, 2006 - We are planning to make sugar cookies Friday

Posted by REInvestor

Actually I was going to do it WEd. but woke up with terrible abdominal pain - maybe gas - that has since passed but not in time to do cookies.

I do use sugar for cookies, but I try to use sucanat or some unrefined sugar. Honey doesn't work for chewy and crisp cookies.

And I am a bit frustrated with the new HSB format too. I liked the old one, but maybe it couldn't sustain almost 1000 users.

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About Me

Philosophical musings from the heart of a home-educating mommy of four and wife of ten years. "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer." Psalms 19:14