Cookie Baking Day

I am a messy baker. My mother was too. Guess I inherited that gene as well. But I have found that if I insert a little organization into my holiday baking plans, I can get the mess over with in a day.

A few weeks before I plan to bake, I sit down with all my cookie recipes and decide which ones I am going to make for that year. The list usually consists of chocolate chip for my husband, green Christmas tree cookies (pressed butter cookies) for my Japanese daughter-in-law, cut out cookie shapes for the grandkids, Russian tea cookies for a son--well the list goes on according to favorites. It usually consists of about ten different cookie recipes.

Once I have my list, I write down all the ingredients I will need to purchase that I don't have in my cupboards/refrigerator. I shop for those needed items and store them away for the day I have set aside to bake.

As soon as breakfast is cleared away, I begin. By noon I look like the Rice Krispie Treats lady in the commercial--floured face and sticky fingers. I break for a quick snack and then continue until the last cookie comes out of the oven. By then, it is usually time for dinner which is either carry-out from a nearby restaurant or carry-me-in to the restaurant.

Cookies are stored in large plastic containers with a good seal and either frozen or stored in a cool place--like our garage. There are some advantages to living in a wintry climate.

Money Saving Tips

This week the Word Quilters will share a few money saving tips for this holiday season.

My hint is simple, but it's something I do every year about this time. I think of all the dishes, cookies, and trimmings that I might serve over the holidays, I check my pantry for any canned goods I need to use up or recycle, and then I make up a tentative menu for Thanksgiving through the New Year's gathering.

When I go to the grocery store, I pick up one or two items for my freezer or pantry that will be needed for the holidays. By mid-November, my pantry is stocked and I don't have to be concerned about spending extra money for staples during the six weeks leading up to New Years Day. Those quick trips to the store can be for fresh items, and then I'm not so tempted to buy all the display baking stuff. I've inventoried and know I'm ready for the holidays.