The 19th Annual Cookie Bake-Off

It's hard to believe that we've been doing this for 19 years, but there you have it. For the past 19 years, my sister and I (hi Deb!) have been getting together on a Saturday before Christmast to make dozens and dozens of cookies. And I do mean dozens. Today's count came in at 32 dozen. Oatmeal coconut macroons, molasses crinkles, peppermint shortbread, decorated sugar cookies and, of course, the old standbys, chocolate chip.

The first cookie bake we didn't quite know what we were in for. We took our time making dough in the morning, then we took a break and went to lunch, did a little shopping...and by 3:00 p.m. we still had yet to bake a single cookie. Now, 19 years later, we're much more experienced and have it down to a science. No shopping, a quick sandwich at home...and we were finished today by 3:00 p.m. Wow! What a difference 19 years makes!

Getting started -- everything lined up, ready, set, go!


Ready for the oven...



Mmmmm. The sweet smell of cookies baking.


Molasses crinkles. YUM!


The decorations...


...and decorators!

And finally, the end results.


Now all I need is a nice cup of tea.