Holiday Festivities!

I made cookies and treats for the annual cookie exchange with Mom, Elizabeth, and Lori. These chocolate peppermint bark cookies are so good. I've definitely learned over the years the beset way to make them turn out better. This year I decided to add chocolate chips to the cookie dough. Best decision! They turned out so good. 

Because I had so much going on the week of the cookie exchange I made the dough the day before then kept it in the fridge. The cold dough makes for thicker cookies and easier to dip after they're cooked. I made fudgy oat bars and maple nut goodie bars. The maple candies were a new recipe. I've had it in a cook book since mom gave it to me when I went to college. I came across the recipe when I was looking for candy ideas for the cookie exchange. I made them ahead of time for a ward activity so that I could get an idea of how hard they were to make and if all the work was worth it to make a bunch for the cookie exchange. I'm glad I did! It isn't a super easy recipe to put together but it was worth it. They were so good! So I went ahead and made them for the cookie exchange as well. Those three desserts I took to share with mom and my sisters and then I made other treats to add to the plates I took to people. I made Carmelitas (my fav), and peppermint bark pretzels. I didn't get around to making the infamous peanut butter balls this year. But it's ok. We had plenty of treats and I have found that I have better eating habits and can really only have so much of the treats. So the less the better. 

Our holiday card this year

I opted not to write a letter but just short paragraphs on the back of the card. Just one of the things that had to go to simplify a bit this year. 

Koda pup after his grooming! His groomer now left the commercial business she worked for and has started her own business out of her home. With only one pet being groomed at a time the place is quieter and he does so much better for her which makes for him coming home with such a handsome cut.