I got up very early this morning to a kitchen that I had prepped the night before. There were bowls and measuring cups waiting for me on the counter. Cookie sheets were lined with parchment paper and stacked on the stove. Cookbooks were piled up in order of how I wanted to get things done. Since I was tripling and quadrupling recipes, I had done all the math ahead of time and made notes in my cookbooks so my morning brain would not be needed for complex multiplication so early.
I wasn't sure I would be doing my Christmas cookie mailing this year. I wondered if that time would be spent better sleeping. Or watching How The Grinch Stole Christmas with Isaac's hand on my knee. But I made the mistake of picking up Martha Stewart's Christmas baking issue and I was sold. It had to be done. And I just love doing it.
Today didn't go exactly as planned. One recipe flopped entirely. My pink stars are too pink...I wanted something softer looking. I planned for 10 chocolate mint wafers to fit into each baggie, but only 5 could squeeze in. And my "Bourbon Pecan Pralines" are more like "Brandy Glazed Mixed Nuts". But that stuff just happens. And today I was great about rolling with it. And I'm not always great with that.
And after many hours in my kitchen today making goodies for loved ones far away, I'll be ordering pizza for the loved ones I live with. And I don't foresee any arguments about that. ;)
14 comments:
Everything looks fantastic in your Christmas Extravaganza 2009! I can totally imagine you getting up at the crack of dawn to a prepared and organized kitchen and having a smirky grin on your face from the anticipation and joy! And great choices! You made two of our favorite flavor combos: I'm a chocolate mint gal and D loves bourbon pecan (well, bourbon anything). So glad you had fun!
Wow! What a production line you had going! Well done!
Everything looks so yummy and delicious! I'm sure everyone who is lucky enough to receive a box will enjoy them :)
Amazing. I can't imagine having the patience to do all that, let alone with the 2 kids around! Looks delicious!!!
It looks yummy and pretty. I'm glad you finished everything.
Robyn, you are seriously a wonder.
Beautiful! I used to bake with my friend Linda every year. We would start early, drinking champagne, baking and listening to Bruce Springsteen. The tradition fell off once the kids were born, but it was soooo much fun!
Rinda
I should add champagne to my Christmas baking day! Great idea, Maria!
It all looks fantastic, well done for getting stuck in and doing it. I'm sure it will all be appreciated by those who receive them.
Oh my gosh, we are twins!! I just spent the weekend baking for a holiday fair & had to go through all the packaging, etc. I KNOW how much work this is-- you're amazing!
And bless you for sharing the failures!! My 'experimental' chocolate chips were crispy which is a TRAVESTY, my chocolate gooey cookies didn't work as minis, I dropped an entire tray of cupcakes but I still had fun ruining it? Lol... Love you, Robs!
P.S. How did you make your labels? Do you have stamps for Pralines & Stars or did you print them out? Inquiring minds... They look super professional & pretty!!! :)
Mandi, I just made them in Word and printed them onto pink cardstock. I love baking days when nothing fails, but that has not happened in a while! I've heard that IQ drops for every kid you have...so maybe that's why. ;)
Oh, great! What's MY excuse? ;)
Congratulations! Everything looks great. Lucky recipients. I baked up 11 recipes for a Bake Sale that I contribute to each year. (I think packing and mailing is just one step past my endurance!) Things went pretty well but the following week I duplicated 4 recipes for a party. Three of them had serious problems but I liked one better! I must have mis-measured the flour but the cookie texture was even better.
You were so organised! And it obviously worked. Amazing looking gifts..lucky recipients.
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