MY JOYS OF CHRISTMAS

 

This week, my home is full of family and friends, and I don't have a minute to myself. Whoopee!!! The Holiday season is upon us and I love every minute of it!

Do I plan in advance to keep chaos at a minimum? What fun would that be. There are days I never stop.  While most people seem to be stressed out by the crowded stores, Christmas decorations up everywhere before Thanksgiving, the crazy traffic, the school events, extra housework chores and the endless cooking, I enjoy the noise and the disorder because it means that in a matter of hours, I'm going to be with the people I love most in the world. 

My daughter had an amazing third grade teacher--Mr. Riley. I remember during his class holiday party, he sat on the floor with his students and explained to them that it wasn't what was under their Christmas tree that mattered. It was the people who were with them around that tree that defined the meaning of this season. I'm not sure if the students grasped the profound statement, but I did.

I'm the first one to admit that I'm a very blessed woman. It doesn't matter to me what is under my tree. Those that will be sitting around my tree on Christmas Eve, Christmas day and the days that follow is what keeps me going.

I'm leaving you with one of my sweet hubby's favorite Christmas cookies which I make a couple times a year. Once you see the ingredients, you will understand why I save this delightful treat for special occasions. If you have a special treat you make for the season, I would love to hear about it. Just leave me a note in the comment section below. 

I'm going to be a little quiet for the next couple of weeks while I spend time with family, celebrating our holiday traditions, and maybe starting new ones. I wish all of you the very best this loving season has to offer. Merry Christmas and may every day of the New Year bring you great joy and happiness.

With hugs,

Nancy C. Weeks

WAIT...don't leave yet before checking out my white chocolate cookie recipe!  

White Chocolate, Nuts, Coconut and dried Cranberries Heaven in a Cookie

I start with a basic cookie recipe, but adapt the ingredients.

2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
pinch of salt [I use salted butter]
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2-3 cups Nestle Toll House White Chocolate Morsels. [I like this brand because the morsels are so creamy]
1 cup coconut [I love Baker's brand because it's so moist]
2 cup chopped pecans [of course you could use other nuts, but there is nothing better than pecans and coconut]
1 cup dried cranberries

Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in remaining ingredients, but don't over beat. I use a cookie scoop to drop rounded tablespoon onto an parchment-lined baking sheet. 

BAKE for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown. Every oven is different. These cookies usually take 14 minutes in my oven. Just watch them closely the first few trays. You can then cool them for a couple minutes. My family usually can't wait that long.