Cookies and Christmas Cheer

A week ago, I began baking cookies for the Team in Training cookie auction and carried the momentum all the way through Christmas. 

I put together cute cookie tins as gifts for friends, coworkers, and family. In addition to the chocolate chip, world peace, and ginger cookies I made for the generous cookie auction winners, I baked up lemon sugar cookies, cinnadoodles, and chocolate Nutella cookies from Cookie Cravings, the beautiful cookbook from Two Peas and Their Pod. I also made Biscoff snickerdoodles, almond ice box cookies, frosted Christmas tree cutouts, and even banana nut bread and orange cranberry walnut bread. Needless to say, I ran out of butter multiple times, and barely had enough sugar left to sweeten the iced tea to serve on Christmas. I love giving homemade gifts and I always hope they are equally enjoyed by those I love! I didn't photograph a single recipe after finishing the ginger cookies, so I will share some of our Christmas decorations here instead!

This year, we were so lucky to spend Christmas near home with Dan's parents and sister and our adorable nephew. We spent Christmas Day eating cinnamon rolls, opening action figures and tools among many other gifts from the North Pole, and cooked a traditional dinner of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans (with bacon), and glazed carrots. And to sop up the extra gravy, we had some tasty rolls from Dudt Bakery in Wexford. They are so soft and buttery and very much worth the long line on Christmas Eve morning. 

After dinner, Dan's uncle let us choose our annual hand-carved Christmas ornament. The small tree in our entry way is dedicated to his beautiful creations.

This last year brought Dan and I so many wonderful changes and we could not be happier. I am so excited to see what 2013 brings. I hope you all had a safe and happy holiday! 

What are you most looking forward to in the New Year?