parte dos: galletas!

i don't know why it is, but for the last couple of years i have been sure i will not make Christmas cookies.  it's not that i don't enjoy making them. i do. & they're yummy to eat, that's true. but, oh! the mess! flour and colored sugar everywhere! usually on me.

cut to the chase...
(and to my handy-dandy cookies for kids cookbook - see prior post):

i love my little gnome-shaped
food coloring bottles
(although the design is not entirely practical
if your fingers are slippery...)

Joseph contemplating cookie cutters (photo by Mike)

left-behinds (photo by Mike)

say "cookies!"

as this was a last-minute baking decision, simple homemade colored sugar sufficed. & when i am tired, i tend towards the literal (my children's stuffed animals suffered names like 'green dog' and 'red horse'), so stars are yellow, candy canes are red, & wreaths are green. i do branch out for angels, flying reindeer, and the odd insect or two (like christmas dragonflies!) ~

and i had absolutely no red-hots in the house!

very disappointing, as i like to use them

for rudolph's nose. but, oh, joy! - candy canes

that i could crush, & those were perfect.

after

our quaker meeting has a christmas eve candlelight service,

after which there is a bonfire & caroling, as well as cider & cookies.

i think everyone enjoyed the christmas cookies ~

on to part 3, i do believe...