Adventure in Cookie Baking

It’s five am and the alarm sounds, bringing mom fully awake. Its baking day and the grandkids will be arriving in just a few hours. As she waits for the coffee to perk she begins to gather the necessities for the day’s activities. Soon the counters are piled high with ingredients for all sorts of cookies and all manner of goodies for the children to utilize in their decorating efforts.
Having learned a thing or two, mom begins baking some cookies from the dough she had prepared the night before and stored in the refrigerator. As she sips her first cup of coffee the sun breaks through the clouds and the warmth of its rays strike her back through the kitchen window as she stares blankly at the stove’s timer, watching the minutes count down while her thoughts of prior baking days bring a smile to her lips. Well, this time it will be easier she tells herself.
The door opens and with a flurry of activity the children arrive, coats are dropped on the sofa and chairs are pulled up to the table. Tea towels wrapped around the children are virtually useless, but it makes them feel grown up as they begin creating a myriad of cookie treats. Red hot candies, chocolate chips, M&M’s, raisins, nuts, candy sprinkles, coconut, and several bowls of colored frosting begin to mingle on the freshly baked cookies.
Mom continues to bake and cool tray after tray. Finally, everyone is tired and the children head for home. As mom surveys the aftermath, noting the dough bits, candy and frostings that cover her kitchen, she smiles. Reaching for her coffee and a fresh cookie, made by her grandchildren she smiles, already planning next year’s cookie day with the kids.

Barbara Cagle 2007