Cookies

A long, long time ago, I stood by my Grandma as she rolled out dough made of sweet batter. Her rolling pin was long and heavy, but her strong hands guided me rolling the dough. And flour and sugar covered everything but the cookies melted in my mouth. So many years ago, the recipes have changed but warm and sweet memories remain. 

I close my eyes and can see families gather around decorated tables with platters of Christmas cookie treasures. All of the favorite cookies were on display. A plate of killer Rosettes with just a drop of jam in the center and so loaded with powdered sugar which always sparked a quick cough when the sugar was inhaled for your first bite. A plate of Kolaczki again with a bite of delicious jam and more powdered sugar.  Perfect sugar cookies with not so perfect decorations (we were kids!), gingerbread cookies, pinwheels, peanut butter, chocolate chip, shortbread, fudge, snowball cookies and many more. We were a big family and loved the sweet taste of cookies along with hot cocoa or milk. 

And through the years there always was a house full of cookie bakers. Aunts and Uncles and cousins gathered for the tradition. Then sisters and brothers, and then came sisters-in-laws, and sometimes brothers-in-laws. Adults moved on to other things without sugar but then lucky us!  Our kids added their traditions and made cookie baking extra fun along with their friends through the years. Nieces and nephews joined in and a great time was had by all. And then they had babies and the tradition grew into other homes. But! Lucky us! Then came the grandkids and their friends and then their girlfriends. And flour and sugar covered everything and everybody. And the cookies melted in your mouth. 

And last week - Lucky me! My daughter came by and the two of us dug out the flour and sprinkles and baked a few batches of favorites all by ourselves. And we shared a bottle of wine and talked and listened to music while the kitchen got covered with flour and new memories were made.