Ice and cookies...

Well, Thursday's planned day of shopping with my sister was canceled due to snow, ice, and freezing rain. No sooner had that storm moved out and somewhat thawed out when another one moved in. More snow, ice, and freezing rain for the weekend.

Really I can't complain too much because we managed to not be affected nearly as bad as so many others. Thousands of people are still without electricity, traffic lights are out, trees are down, and schools are closed. There's a wind advisory and wind-chills are cold... to put it mildly.

Here's the view from the deck this morning...

I knew the weekend was going to be miserable weather-wise so I had already planned to stay in and make cookies for tonight's Christmas walk at the park. Every year a loop of path at the park is laden with lights so you can stuff the kids in their snow boots and heavy coats and go ohhh and ahhh at all the pretty lights. All the local 4H groups take turns manning the cocoa and cookie sales at the little "come in out of the cold" building. Tonight is our turn, though I'm a bit concerned about the weather. Snow is fun to trek through but I'm think'in there's more ice than anything right now.

So, here's how I handle the mass production of cookies...

First, put dinner (its a pot roast and whole veggies) in the Crockpot because

A) you will not feel like cooking a decent dinner after baking cookies all day and

B) after eating cookies and cookie dough all day (and you know you will) you'll need something with actual nutritional content to help offset the sugar consumption.

Next, try not to freak as the 3 smaller children (the Bonus kid was here this weekend) use up half a year's worth of art supplies making cardboard boats out of Amazon boxes because at least its keeping them busy and out of the kitchen.

Once the cookies are in the oven knit furiously for 10-12 minutes...

Mmmmm.... cookies...

I managed to get the chocolate chip, peanut butter, and oatmeal cookies done. There's sugar cookie dough in the fridge to be baked today as well as 2 pans of brownies. At least the house will smell yummy as we do our school work (and we'll have a nice snack this afternoon).
The kids finished up their projects. I guess all the reading about early explorers and sailing ships has really taken a hold...

And there's no better way to end a day than a relaxing bath...

'cause ya know she worked really hard today.

Comments

[Miss Scarlett]

Brilliant plan.

Have.got.to.buy.a.crockpot!

[chris]

Crock pots rock! And those cookies look wonderful. I had to laugh at the last photo - I'm thinking - sure, she deserved a bath....and then that!

[Kristen M.]

Gotta love the crock-pot!!! We were baking cookies and crock-potting too. I made a turkey breast (I'd never done this before, but a friend raved when hers turned out great.) Then wipped up some instant mashed taters. The turkey was Jennie-O comes frozen and went strait into the crock-pot...with the included gravy pack and a can of cream of chicken soup. I started late so it was 4 hours on high...and then 30 min. on low before the kids dediced they were starving at 4:30. When I opened the pot, the little button had popped on the turkey. It was an amazing dinner. And at the crunch time it only took me 15 min...from I'm hungry to at the table. Now...If there was just time for a bath for me. =0)