Tis The Season

Tis the Holiday Season. It does not feel like December. Michigan has had a bit of unseasonably warm weather. No snow at all, but it is the holidays and I have been busy decorating and making memories for my boys.

The tree is up. The stocking are hung. Not by the Chimney with care but on some hooks, still with hopes that Saint Nick will find them. I have been busy making homemade gifts for friends and family. Vanilla extracts are bottles, lotion bars and now lip balm have been added to tins. The lip balm I made is a portion of beeswax, sweet almond oil, coco butter and a hint of Michigan Wildflower Honey. The recipe is not a tried and true one yet so I have nothing concrete to share there but the lotion bars and the softer version are posted. Do you like to receive homemade gifts for the holidays? I love homemade prizes. There is something special in every item, cookie, candle, sweater, or card that someone takes the time to pour some love into from their home.

Lip Balm and Lotion Bar

Of course, all gifts are nice to receive, but the giving,  the spirit of it is such a heartwarming thing. I don't know who is more eager for Christmas morning, me or the kids. I am an awful gift giver. Once I have found the perfect gift, I just want to give it right away. I hate waiting. It is too exciting to have to wait long and because of this I tend to be a late shopper. I am really bad,  can't have too many gifts around the house or I start giving them early.

Next on my list to make this December the best one yet...baking cookies and holiday parties. Do you participate in a cookie exchange? I do not have a cookie exchange that I go to, but cookies are part of the season for me so I like to bake them for friends and family. My mom as awesome as she is,  was never one to bake much but my Aunt Judy baked us Christmas Cookies every year. She made a tin up for my brother and one for myself. I loved getting those festive tins. Opening them was like unwrapping presents Christmas morning. It was fun and exciting and I was always grateful.

This Sunday for #SundaySupper I will be posting about my Ricotta cookies. They are an Italian sugar type cookie often iced with lemon glazes. Honestly, I love this cookie but I am not a huge fan of lemon icing so instead, my cookies will be drizzled with a white chocolate glaze. Another cookie that always makes an appearance at my house are chocolate chip cookies. My boys, Husband included, love them. I have one I make that has ground corn flakes mixed in with the flour. It is an awesome addition to the chocolate chip cookie. The buttery, toasty, corn flakes blend really well with your basic chocolate chip cookie recipe.If you are in a baking mood, give it a try. Hope to see you all back on Sunday to check out my Ricotta Cookie with White Chocolate Glaze as well as links to all the great cookies that the #SundaySupper team put together. It is a talented group and I can't wait to see them all myself....there goes my impatience again. lol Can't help myself.

Now if I could keep the cats away from the tree...

Enjoy,

: ) 

As a teaser, check out what is coming for #SundaySupper:

The Sunday Supper Favorite Cookie Exchange Cookies:

• Turtle Thumbprint Cookies by Cravings of a Lunatic 
• #glutenfree Almond Oatmeal Raisin Cookies by Cooking Underwriter
• Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies by The Food Army Wife
• M & M Cookies by Damn Delicious 
• Snowball Cookies by Small Wallet Big Appetite 
• Mocha Thumbprint Cookies by The Meltaways
• Cardamom-Walnut Cookies by Home Cooking Memories 
• Polish Chrusciki (Bow Ties) by Comfy Cuisine 
• Cherry Blossom Cookies by Flour on my Face
• Rosettes by That Skinny Chick Can Bake 
• Millionaire’s Shortbread by Gotta Get Baked 
• Double-the-Mint Chocolate Kiss Cookies by The Weekend Gourmet 
• Whole Wheat Cereal Cookies by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings 
• Chocolate Dipped Potato Chip Shortbread Cookies by The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen 
• Scories De Vulcan | Lava Stones Cookies by The Daily Dish Recipes
• Zimtsterne {Cinamon Stars} #Dairyfree by Galactosemia in PDX
• S’mores Cookies by Hezzi-D’s Book and Cooks
• Chocolate Whoppers by Vintage Kitchen Notes
• Ricotta Cookies with White Chocolate Glaze Country Girl in the Village
• Turtles by Dinners, Dishes and Desserts 
• Salted Caramel Brownie Cookies! by I Run For Wine
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Toffee Cookies by The Urban Mrs.
• Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies by She likes ruffles, he likes truffles 
• Amaretto Almond Biscotti by Noshing With The Nolands
• Mexican Chocolate Cookies by Generation Y Foodie 
• Double Chocolate Peppermint Biscotti by Pippis in the Kitchen Again
• Ice Cream Kolaczki by Cookistry
• Amoniaczki by What Smells So Good?
• Fruit and Nut Ice Box Cookies by In the Kitchen with Audrey
• Ginger Bourbon Balls by girlichef
• Candy Cane Blossom Cookies by Mommas Meals 
• Double Chocolate Cranberry Cookies by Lovely Pantry
• Ninja Bread Men by Diabetic Foodie 
• Peppermint Sugar Cookies by In The Kitchen With KP
• Christmas Crunchies by Magnolia Days
• Cream Cheese Swirled Red Velvet Cookies by Mom’s Test Kitchen
• Double Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies and Tips on Mailing Cookies by Chocolate Moosey
• Congo Bars by Supper for a Steal 
• Mint Surprise Cookies by The Cookie A Day Challenge
• Salted Caramel Thumbprint Cookies by Midlife Road Trip
• Spiced Rum Balls by Webicurean
• Best Ever Pecan Pie Bars by Shockingly Delicious
• Oreo Cheesecake Cookies by Baker Street 
• Biscoff Pillow Cookies by by The Messy Baker Blog
• Mexican Hot Cocoa Cookies by Juanita’s Cocina
• Raspberry Thumbprints for my first #SundaySupper!  by Kelly Bakes 
• Tea Biscuits by My Cute Bride
• Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies by Mama Mommy Mom 
• Lebanese Butter Cookies for the Christmas Season by The Catholic Foodie
• Almond Joy Macaroons by Cupcakes and Kale Chips 
• Gluten Free Coconut Fruit Nut Cookies by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz 
•  Snowball Surprises by Family Foodie