Random Thoughts - Christmas Edition

I participated in my first ever cookie exchange yesterday. We ended up with 15 people bringing all sorts of goodies. We each were charged with bringing 5 dozen homemade treats along with our recipe to share. I brought no bake cookies, which are my kids favorite and very easy:

NO BAKE COOKIES

1/2 cup butter
4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 cups quick cooking oats - I used regular old fashioned oats
1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth or crunchy) - I use smooth
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
Add the cocoa powder, sugar, and milk to the melted butter. Bring to a boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat.

Add vanilla salt and peanut butter. Stir until peanut butter is combined. Add oats.
Drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper. Let cool and firm. Enjoy.

Others brought fudge, cranberry chews, gingerbread cookies, and the list goes on. So, I brought home 5 dozen assorted cookies (we each got 4 from everyone). Have you ever done a cookie exchange? If not, you really should.


My mother collected Spode Christmas china for many years. I remember every December she would get it out and replace our regular dinnerware, so that we could enjoy it the whole Christmas season. Before she passed away, eleven years ago, she gave me the Christmas china. I adore this china and have tried to carry on her tradition of using it all season long. There have been a couple of years this has not happened due to one thing or another, but this year I am back to it. It reminds me of my mom and of course is just so festive and fun this time of year.

My son, age 14, cannot officially be in the holiday spirit until he watches It's a Wonderful Life. It warms my heart to think a teen can love this movie this much. Shhh, he is getting a copy in his stocking this year from Santa. I heart this movie too. On the subject of Christmas movies, I fall in love with Elf every time I see it.

My sister and I once went to bed at noon on Christmas Eve in hopes that Santa would make an early appearance. We lasted all of 15 minutes in bed, but I think it was a brilliant plan.

We had wooden blocks growing up and every Christmas morning they would be built into the biggest, most amazing towers and bridges. I knew for sure the elves were helping Santa when he came to our house. My dad was so cool to do that.

Merry Christmas!