Baking Day 2009

For almost as many years as we have lived in TX, it has been a tradition in our family to have a "Baking Day" for Christmas treats on the first Saturday in December. That day was selected because of the local Scout show. Daddy would be gone all day, and after the show was over, packed up, and the Astrodome area cleaned up he could come home to a special treat of homemade cookies, Chex Mix, or once a gingerbread house.

It was a time to bake together with our daughter, laugh and work throughout the day. Cookie plates for neighbors were one of the goals ~ to kick off the holiday season, before everyone was tired of treats. A few chocolate kisses or Hershey's mini candybars extended the variety, and some years we even included a few salted in the shell peanuts. This year, she'll be sharing with coworkers at her office, and I'll be sharing with my quilting bee and ATHA rug hooking circle, Stash Sisters. We made a few angel cookies for Miss Ann and Miss Joan, Livvie's MDO teachers. :) My sister and her family will receive some in their Christmas box, and yes, we'll nibble a few ourselves.



Today, December 5, 2009 was Baking Day. We started about 9:30 am and made lots of treats to share with family and friends. Livvie didn't care too much for the apron, I'd made for her, so she only had to wear it for our "official" photo. Our Baking Day banner, was made from a gift that a friend, PattiJane, sent for my birthday. It had a little different plan, but it is on the reverse side of Livvie's Advent Calendar with Santa, and we hope to take a picture of all of us beside it for many years to come. ♥

She had on her ELF APPRENTICE onesie, which is an inside joke for our family, and that was a perfect fashion statement for the day. You'll see her decorating cookies farther down in this post, using the aerial sprinkle drop method. ;) It began with vigorously shaking of the container and a swoop UP! She had a great time, and so did her mom and grandpaparazzi taking pics.






Last cookies we baked today were Linzer cookies, and that was when Jenni and I were really laughing. These cookies taste pretty good, but are not easy to assemble for novices. Next year, the recipe makes the cut, but probably not the cookie cutters! Jenni and I were trying to "remove the excess dough so they could go right into the oven", and finally ended up using corn on the cob holders with her push,push, shove method.

Like many family memories, it doesn't sound nearly as fun in the retelling, as it was while going on. Bottom line is that while I enjoyed our baking days when Jenni was a child, tween, and teenager it was a really wonderful day today. Whether Jenni and Livvie continue the tradition or not, it was fun to work, laugh, and share a day when lots of treats were made, along with memories.... Livvie's daddy returned at the end of his day of work to the smell of treats baked and waiting.