Cookie baking weekend ... creativity from all!

The creativity comes out during our annual traditional cookie baking weekend as all hands pitch in to decorate dozens of sugar cookies.

SWAC Niece, SWAC Daughter, SWAC Son, SWAC Husband, my sister, and I used icings and sprinkles and dragees and everything else we could find to come up with this wide assortment of decorated cookies.









My sister and I have a huge assortment of cookie cutters, passed down and collected throughout the years, that are especially put into use at Christmas.

SWAC Niece rolls out sugar cookie dough (on the left) while SWAC Daughter cuts out gingerbread figures (on the right). We turned out dozens of decorated sugar cookies as well as gingerbread, fudge, and toffee ... and the tradition continues....

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
December 12, 2009

Busy kitchen ... creation of Christmas goodies

A batch of chocolate-pecan fudge, a batch of chocolate-covered toffee, and batches of sugar, butter, and gingerbread cookies have already been turned out this morning ... and we're still on a roll.

It is busy in my kitchen as SWAC Niece, her mom (my sister), SWAC Daughter, and I hum to Christmas music as the oven cranks out cookies and we stack them up for SWAC Niece to decorate as yet another pan goes in to bake.

I can hear them laughing and singing and bantering back and forth so I'd better get back to work ... my quick break is over ... back to the kitchen!

It's cookie baking weekend with SWAC Niece

It's cookie baking weekend at our house, and SWAC Niece will be heading to the Valley today with her mom (my sister) for our annual tradition.

Baking supplies have been stocked ... chili pot is going ... and we'll take in the sights and sounds of Christmas in the Valley while she's here.

Sugar cookies, gingerbread cookies, rolled and pressed cookies ... decorating with sprinkles and icing and all sorts of goodies ... toffee and fudge candies ... the kitchen will smell of creative yumminess as we turn out enough to use as gifts, to share with friends, and for entertaining when guests stop by to visit.

Cookie baking and candy making ... it's a tradition that continues in our family.

It's that time of year ... preparing for the 4th of July

A Mitchell family tradition is the 4th of July cookout for family, friends, and neighbors. It's three weeks away and we're busy getting ready for this year's event....

Fishing at the rivah....

Croakers ... some good eating.

Sunset on the Rappahannock from the pier ...

Oops! SWAC Daughter's surprise catch.

SWAC Daughter's prize croaker ...

Sunset on the Rappahannock....

Peaceful ...

Photos by SWAC Daughter
May 2009

Christmas recipes ... Forgotten Cookies -- UPDATED

The recipe for Forgotten Cookies was passed along by a nurse at Children's Hospital many years ago when we both worked there. At Christmas we all brought goodies to share and she brought these yummie meringue cookies that had an almond flavor with pecans and chocolate chips inside.

When I asked what they were, she said they were called Forgotten Cookies because you put them in the oven at night to cook ... and forget about them until the next morning. They are one of the favorites of my family and friends.

Forgotten Cookies

2 egg whites (room temperature)
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Beat egg whites (at room temperature) until foamy. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form. Add flavorings; mix well. Fold in pecans and chocolate chips.

Drop by heaping teaspoonsful onto aluminum foil-lined cookie sheets coated with non-stick spray. Place in a 350-degree oven; immediately turn oven off. Let stand 8-10 hours or overnight. (Do not open oven.) Store in airtight container.

Yield: 5 dozen

Updated Christmas Eve:
Yankee Phil really liked these cookies and has posted about them:
-- So good, so fattening
-- Christmas celebration in Augusta

They are also mentioned in the 2008 Carnival of Christmas. Enjoy!

A family tradition ... Christmas cookie weekend

Cinnamon polar bear cookies on the cookie sheet ready to bake....

SWAC Niece and I were cooking up a storm in my kitchen....

Sugar cookies, gingerbread people, gingerbread snowmen, Forgotten Cookies, pressed cookies, fudge, chocolate-covered toffee ... the cooking possibilities are endless each year as we get together for our cookie baking weekend.

A tradition that has gone on for years, SWAC Niece, SWAC Daughter, my sister, and I get together in December to turn out dozens of cookies and many pounds of fudge and toffee for serving to guests and to give as Christmas gifts. Sometimes we join up with Mom to make fruit cakes ... hers are the only ones I like.

My Texas sister and her daughter are cooking many of the same things in her kitchen in Austin. The tradition continues....

Photos by SWAC Girl