Christmas Baking

I did my holiday baking last Saturday by myself. Jamie, Casey, and I were going to bake together, but they were working all day. It was overwhelming for me because my list seems to never end. Once I get a final number I end up remembering someone else and then that person knows someone so the list continues. I had to stop myself somewhere otherwise I would have baked for everyone on the island.

Easy things first: giant kisses made out of rice krispy treats and chocolate covered oreos with hint of mint and a Christmas tree design with green chocolate drizzled on the tope.

Oatmeal butterscotch cookies are a favorite in our house, but not very Christmasy. I still made them because I needed the containers.

I got the idea of covering old oatmeal containers form the Nienie dialogues and they turned out pretty cute. I love the wrapping paper that I found at the local grocery store.

After adding fruit and nut shortbread bars, chocolate and peanut butter fudge, the treats were ready to be delivered.

Most people got the plates that weren't quite as cute as the containers, but they required much less work. David was kind enough to drive me around to drop off our goodies to our wonderful friends. 

I find so much joy in baking and even more joy in giving! I have always said that if I could create a profession for myself I would be a professional gift giver. I love putting together gifts and seeing others' reactions.

I felt especially like a "giver" the other day when I noticed a sweet little Filipino lady walking on the street after work yesterday. I had met her a few weeks ago at a friend's house. She was their nanny for a few days. She had just finished cleaning a few apartments and was on her way to eat lunch. She said she was going to Captain's Bakery for fried chicken and rice (when asked why she would walk all the way to Captain's instead of KFC for fried chicken she said it was because KFC doesn't serve rice! Just like my mom, she has to have rice at every meal :). The walk would have been very far plus she would have had to walk back to finish up her cleaning. I decided to drive her and she allowed me to treat her to lunch. It was the tiniest thing and only a few dollars out of my pocket, but her reaction was priceless. I was actually holding back tears the entire time because it was such a special experience.