Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Virtual Cookie Exchange

Hello Everyone!
I am so happy you are here today!

Thank you for joining the Virtual Cookie Exchange 
sponsored by
 our friend Carol, at Just Let Me Quilt

Now, before I get started, could I just ask you, how many of you went back and rewrote some of your post after reading the super fun, 
inspiring
 and delicious  posts from Tuesday? 
... and then again on Wednesday?
I did!


My mom always said you should take out all the ingredients and tools before you start baking, soooo...
I did!
I took out everything and began. You may want to note how neat it all looks because, as my DH says, I use every pot in the kitchen and it never looks the same when I am done!


Here is my Aunt Lucille's recipe. My Aunt Lucille is a master quilter, a retired high school math teacher and a strong, straight forward Vermonter. 
I know sugar cookies are simple, but this recipe is so versatile and I needed something simple, tried and true. You will see why in a minute.



This is my pastry cloth. It is the best idea I've ever heard of. 
It is a piece of canvas from the fabric store.
It is 45" wide!


It is easy to scrape after you are finished using....


Then, you just fold and put in the freezer until needed again! Why the freezer? We live in Florida and everything grows here, inhabits here and oh never mind, you get the idea!


The cookies had to be a certain size, because...
I had a plan.
Hopefully they would be perfect.



I saw this sweet cinnamon sprinkle in the cupboard and decided to give it a try. I think you could have the same result with your own cinnamon creativity.


We are baking....we are hoping for perfection...


As you can see, perfection (in terms of size) did not happen, so when I first pulled them out of the oven, I used my cutter and re-cut them to the perfect size.
If you don't need a certain size, like I did, these cookies roll out and cook so beautifully.



Then, I bagged them up in a ziplock with at least 12 in a bag.



So, how is the kitchen looking about now?
Hmmmm....not so good, but it has been so much worse!




So, I guess I haven't mentioned that I also am involved in a book club cookie exchange. In the exchange, you have to have a good cookie (a dozen for each member plus a dozen for hospice), a good story (hopefully true, but not necessarily so) and an interesting package.
Here is the beginning of my package.....


Now, my paper towel roll is wrapped in Christmas wrap. My cookies fit perfectly into the tube......


I have made elf shoes, many, many sets of elf shoes. Now these shoes are meant to take a sleeve of Oreos. However, Oreo doesn't make sleeves of Oreos anymore unless you want to order a case for a million dollars.
Also, I do not think I could pass Oreos off in my cookie exchange as a homemade cookie, even if I made some frosting for them.


So, here they are....two legs full of cookies! 
I used variations on the basic dough as noted by the arrows in the recipe. The recipe is simple, but they are so yummy, it is a reminder that simple is often best!


Now that our family is all on the west coast of the USA, we will travel to California for Christmas.
Decorating at home has become very simple. 
The following pictures are of our simple homemade decorations.




I have to say God has to take credit for this amazing poinsettia.
It is hard to tell from this photo, but it is taller than me (5'6")!



Here is the group for today, followed by the wonderful posts tomorrow.....

December 3

December 4


Participating in this blog hop has been so much fun! 
It has restored my joy!
I hope you have the most joyful holiday season, 
surrounded by family and friends.
I am thankful for all of you.

19 comments:

  1. This was a very joyful blog post and so fun to read. I had never thought to put cinnamon on sugar cookies...wowzers, they look yummy! Plus, storing them in "legs" is just too dang cute. I want to make the cookies AND the legs with elf shoes. Thank you, thank you for making me smile and for sharing your recipe!

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    1. Thank you Carol. Thank you for asking me to join the blog hop. It has really been fun and has restored my joy....and THAT is priceless. xoxo mp

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  2. Oh Pat...your post was wonderful to read! I can't wait to try this! I would love to make this a new holiday tradition in my household...the grandkids will love it!!

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  3. How delightful to read your post this morning! Yummy looking cookies and oh, so clever packaging! It's looking pretty restive at your place!

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  4. Those sugar cookies look wonderful and make me want to bake a batch right now! How clever to put them in a paper towel tube with elf feet! Thanks for sharing!

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  5. Love those legs and feet, clever package!!

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  6. Look at those elf shoes. What a smile that will bring! The cookies look yummy and I will have to give them a go. Thanks for all the tips. That poinsettia is beautiful!!!

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  7. What a great way to package cookies! I love your design, and the cookies look yummy--I love cookies, especially sugar cookies!

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  8. Oh I just love the elf legs :) My husband's grandmother who is in her 90s still talks about the time she traveled to Florida and saw this humongous poinsettia! Thank you for the recipe!

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  9. Oh, my goodness! Elf legs!! Those are too cute - where did you find the pattern for the feet? Are they done on an embroidery machine? So adorable. And, great idea to use a cookie base to get a great variety. Thanks for sharing these tidbits into your life and your kitchen!

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  10. That is so clever! Those legs of cookies are wonderful.

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  11. Great tips and what a cute way to wrap the cookies!! I think I'll give out cookies this way!

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  12. Sugar cookies are in my top 3 list to bake. That Pampered Chef cinnamon is awesome, isn't it?! What a fun way to pack those cookies.

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  13. I have a sugar cookie recipe that is perfect for rolling, cutting and decorating that I've used every Christmas for years. Now I think I need to try yours just to package it in elf legs. How adorable!

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  14. Oh my goodness... I'm going to have to make some Elf shoes!!! What a great way to package cookies for gifts! Do you have a link for the pattern?

    Sugar cookies are one of my favorites! Thanks so much for sharing!

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  15. Your cookie filled Elf legs and shoes are the cutest ever!!! Thank you very much for hopping and sharing your delicious and clever cookie recipe.

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  16. Wow! You don't just make cookies, you pack them clever to boot (or to elf shoe . . .)
    I do the same thing with getting all the ingredients out before starting. Then, as I use each ingredient, I put it away. That way, if the table is clear, I know I've remembered to put all the ingredients into the recipe!!

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  17. Your cookie legs are cute! Fabulous idea.

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  18. Mmmmm, nothing better than a good cookie. Thanks for sharing this yummy recipe. Your elf shoes are the cutest ever.

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Thank you for any little comment about my work or my blog. I am an old quilter, but a new blogger who loves to learn, improve and connect!