Tis the season(ing)
This time of year brings out the cook or baker in many of us. I enjoy cooking throughout the year (time permitting), but there is something about baking at Christmastime that is special. It is fun to pull out those special recipes that only see the light of day during the holiday season.
I have childhood (and teenage, and college age) memories of making Christmas goodies with my mom. We would drag out all the ingredients, and just about every mixing bowl and spoon in the kitchen, and set up shop at the kitchen table. When I was young we baked cookies and made candy, but as time progressed we moved away from baking and more into candy. There was always fudge for the fridge (2 pans – with pecans for dad & mom and without for my brother & me), and usually some combination of butterscotch haystacks, chocolate and peppermint “bark”, and white and milk chocolate covered pretzels. Other things came and went depending on the year, but these were the usual suspects. I continued to make chocolate chip cookies, and we made the occasional snickerdoodle or sugar cookie.
My own Christmas cooking focuses more on baked goods, although I might make some refrigerator fudge this year. During last week I’ve made two batches of chocolate chip cookies, two loaves of homemade bread (I make this year round), and two batches of Chex Mix. This weekend will see two recipes of homemade biscuits and, possibly, the first of the cranberry bread. The next couple of weeks should produce several batches of cranberry bread, a pound cake with caramel icing, and, hopefully, some homemade cinnamon rolls. Oh, and untold quantities of homemade Chex Mix. Add in the things I’ll make for the Christmas party we’re hosting next Sunday and our own Christmas meals (hmm…guess I better think about what we’ll eat since we’ll be home this year), and I have quite a bit of cooking to do!
There is just something about the holidays that brings out the most flavorful side of me! 
So funny! As I was writing about the things Matt and I grew up with I realized that Hubbie’s family never does cookies… and I never knew why or thought about asking. Then I started to wonder what you’re traditions were and what you and Matt continued to make from what we all grew up with. Neat to see! I think the only thing we still do (from Mom and Dad)is the cranberry bread… Kinda funny, huh!? Anyway… we will definitely miss you all this Christmas. I guess I’ve gotten spoiled seeing y’all so often for Christmas! Love y’all! Your baking list sounds so yummy! Good luck with your party next week!
I guess you and Lu are on the same page today! I am not usually a treat maker, but, like you, I am at this time of year! Enjoy making and eating!
OH my goodness! With all of those treats there will be no room for regular food- just how I like it! Wont it be fun when your little one can really help you make all those yummies!
How about I trade you some of the dozens of cookies floating around here for some Chex Mix?
Thank you for the link to Home Ec 101, it is very much appreciated.
Wow, I never thought about how many goodies we use to make!! It was such fun, and I miss doing it with you…it’s just not the same any more, but I still try to do some of the things we did. Will probably make your dad some fudge, and if we manage to squeeze in some family time I will try to bring goodies for everyone. Just wait until you can do this with Little. You will both have memories for ever. Have fun baking!!!