Cozy foods truly start up when it’s dark and cold. Families and friends coming over for a holiday gathering, walking in to a warm, inviting, decorated-to-the-nines house and smelling all of the good smells, and always having just-baked cookies out for guests (and Santa!)
Cookies…I used to bake 20-25 dozen the weeks before Christmas to send to my brother and his family across the country, give to my sister and her husband and my mom and stepfather at Christmas, as well as bring in multiple dozens to work, where they’d be scarfed down in no time! Now, however, I cut way back on the quantity I make, if any at all.
Some people roll out dough and use cookie cutters, glazing and decorating with colored frostings, sugars and sprinkles. Others (like me) stick with simple drop or rolled ball cookies.
Cookies can be made while deciding on the next holiday menu, ordering/buying and then wrapping gifts, writing out Christmas cards, listening to holiday music, or having the latest Hallmark Holiday special on the TV in the background.
Enjoy your baking, braising, roasting, planning, decorating, wrapping OR just doing nothing and enjoy the peace and quiet before the frenzy of the holidays overtakes you.
And when you put out the 
and 
for Santa , don’t forget 
for the reindeer!
But it still tasted good 
Might have to put your mod hat on and do some merging, Linda 
That said, I’ve been looking forward to more soups, braises and stews ever since the temps finally cooled down.
