Making Memories

I woke up one December morning feeling stressed.  Christmas was rapidly approaching, but I hadn't even made cookies yet.  The tree was up, but the shopping wasn't even started.  We were faithfully reading The Advent Book, but we hadn't made any significant holiday memories.

It was time for that to change.  I jumped out of bed with plans swirling in my head.  We invited friends over  and we made gingerbread houses...

After the houses were completed, we watched The Polar Express and enjoyed cookies and hot chocolate.

Memories were made- the best kind of memories.  These are the ones that don't require money.  They don't need elaborate plans or perfect execution.  They only require a little bit of creativity and kids who are willing to have some fun!

As I sat drinking my hot chocolate, listening to the laughter of my kids and their friends, enjoying the twinkling lights and the visual beauty of the movie, I unwrapped one of my favorite gifts- the gift of making memories.

Recipe for Buttermilk Cookies:

2 sticks margarine

2 cups of sugar

1 cup buttermilk

3 eggs

4 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla

Beat margarine.  Add sugar, eggs and vanilla.  Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl.  Add dry ingredients one cup at a time- alternating with the milk until all of the ingredients are combined.  Drop by rounded teaspoons on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 8 minutes at 350°.  Makes about 60 cookies.

Buttercream Icing

1 stick margarine

2 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 or 3 Tablespoons of milk

Cream margarine.  Add sugar and vanilla.  Mix in milk 1 Tablespoon at a time until you have the proper consistency.

I share this recipe because Buttermilks are my favorite Christmas cookie.  My mom would make these cookies every year at Christmastime and I love that they are soft and delicious.  

And I want to give the same gift to my children.  I want them to have sweet memories of their childhood.  My prayer is that in the midst of the busyness, they would know that their mommy always took time to make Christmas special.

That night, I went to bed with a song in my heart!

What memories are you making this Christmas season?

Linking with Emily at Chatting at the Sky for Tuesdays Unwrapped.