Christmas Cookies and Family Cookbook

This year will be the 4th Christmas without my mom.  It is so hard to believe that she never got to see my babies or share in the joy of the holidays with them.  It hurts so much to think about it that I found myself not wanting to talk about her.  I realized this when I was hunting down a cookie recipe to make with Henry.  I helped my mom make meltaway cookies every single Christmas that I can remember. And, I almost didn't want to make them with Henry this year because it was so painful to think about her being gone.  I suppose we all have our coping mechanisms and apparently mine is avoidance.  I quickly decided isn't wasn't fair to her memory not to share our cookie making tradition with my boys.  I even went one step better than just making the cookies.  I used the recipe printed in the photo family cook book we put together last year for my siblings.



There aren't words to describe how emotional this project was (especially considering I was pregnant). But, I am beyond thrilled with how it turned out.  We flipped through the pages and looked all the pictures.  And, of course I cried when Henry pointed to a photo of my mom and said "my memaw." Even though it hurt, it was so special for me to share with Henry a little bit of my mom (if you want, I have a link below where you can view the full book).

Here is the cookie recipe for meltaways.  It is really simple and perfect for kids because there are no eggs.   I don't know if we copied it wrong or I did something wrong but I got no were near 4 1/2 dozen cookies.



Please note, if you get cookies from the Barks this year Henry didn't help make them. No matter how many times I wash his hands they always seem dirty.   He also breathed all over these cookies.  I could barely eat them and he is my kid.  Toddlers are just plain gross.



But we had a alot of fun.  Below he is feeding me cookie dough.  Don't worry he ate some too.  Maybe that is why my cookie count was so low.  Oh yeah, that spoon went right back into the batter.



The finished product.



It sure was yummy.  Next up, we are going to attempt to decorate cookies.  Please say a prayer that I don't end up with frosting all over my entire house.



PS.  Below is a link to the entire book, if your curious or if you are related and want to order one.

Click here to view this photo book larger