Christmas is Here

 

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and after social distancing in 2020, our extended family was looking forward to our celebration. Since some of the "kids" in the family now live out of state, the crowd was not expected to be as large as usual.  However, due to the Omicron variant of the Corona virus, by Christmas day the crowd had dwindled from 27 to 6!

Matt and I were grateful to be able to attend and the food was packed and delivered to other family members.  I guess "meals on wheels" was a step in the right direction from last year and we are grateful that the vaccine has kept symptoms mild for those who were afflicted with the virus.  Hopefully, next year we can return to a full family gathering.

Cookie designs this year,  included:

Plain  .  .  .

Fancy .  .  .

Traditional  .  .  .

One cutter, four looks. . . 

a new Santa .  .  .

and angels in remembrance of family members, Kathy and Diana,  who left us this year.

         Merry Christmas one and all.

Holiday Season

Holiday baking began with traditional designs in simple gold and white.

Next up, 65 Nutcrackers that were a far more complicated design.
 

This was my first time decorating this iconic character and the cookies looked quite festive when they were bagged and tagged for party favors.

As is always the case, time became an issue for preparing for the holiday, so I opted to stick with simple designs in a pastel palette for our family gathering.

Of course, the little ones have to have a "puzzle" cookie to celebrate the season.  I have to say I consider this cookie an epic fail.  I just couldn't get the ears right on this design, and it looks like a cat with antlers. Oh well, no time for "do overs" this year, so the kids can get a good laugh while they eat their cookies.

Finally, I have another new angel in heaven this year.  For my friend, Jim, forever in my heart and in the stars.

"It is Christmas Eve.  In just a few hours, the clock will strike midnight-- a time of magic, and of dreams."    The Nutcracker