Christmas Cookies to Gift

Good morning Monday!

Happy new week, Daymakers.

How was your weekend?
All well here.  Been a little wet and chilly so I decided to make a pot of chili which is simmering on the stove as I write this and – man, oh, man – does it smell good.  And it tastes really good, too.  Every time I go into the kitchen and stir it around, I take a little spoonful bite.  I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve stirred it around and taken a spoonful bite.
Hopefully, I’ll still be hungry by the time dinner rolls around.  ha!

Hope you’re having a grand time enjoying + preparing home + thoughtful gifts + embracing this magic time of year.

Super fun line-up to share today.
I had a blast collecting today’s pieces of delish + intrigue + a happy dance  video that is so.much.fun.

Presenting Top of the Morning this December 9, 2024.

BEGINNING WITH:

4 delicious recipes for Christmas Cookies to gift.  Technically, 2 are bar cookie types and 2 are traditional cookie types.  All easy-peasy to whip up and all delicious gifts of good taste to present to friends, neighbors, family wrapped in beautiful, small food gift bags or inside round or square tins – both readily available at a favorite craft store (think Michaels, Joann, Hobby Lobby).

RECIPE (!)
SOFT GINGERBREAD COOKIES
I am not a big sweet eater but I cannot resist a good gingerbread cookie.  However, they gotta be soft and chewy.
This recipe reads and boasts tried-and-true compliments of being best ever – and there are 664 five star votes to back that up!
** read recipe here **

RECIPE (!)
PEANUT BUTTER BLOSSOM COOKIES
Not exactly a stranger to a holiday cookie tray – actually read where these little cool circles of baked peanut butter cookies with a chocolate kiss in the middle are rated as #1 on lots and lots of people’s fav list.
** get recipe here **

RECIPE (!)
OUTRAGEOUS DOUBLE CHOCOLATE BROWNIES (I like to refer to them as cookie bars)
High five chocolate lovers!
Barefoot Contessa always has and, no doubt, always will know/create the very best-of-the-best recipes.
I first made these Outrageous Brownies years ago after purchasing Ina’s, The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook.  Mind blowing decadent delish – however, amazingly .
As a big fan of bar cookies (think putting batter in pan + baking + cooling + cutting them into preferred size squares) and stack inside a food gift bag.
** get recipe here **

RECIPE (!)
MAGIC BARS (also known as Hello Dollies or 7 Layer Bars)
Whatever you might call them, they’re incredibly good and totally a well known delightful tradition.
Absolutely a winner winner for Christmas Cookies to gift.
** get recipe here **

2 More Gotta Make Recipes that Aren’t Cookies

RECIPE (!)
SMOKY VANILLA BURBON WHISKEY PRETZELS
Wait a minute — what?  
I was super excited when I stumbled across this recipe and knew I had to share it right away!
Unique and undoubtedly a guaranteed surprise to all attending one of your gatherings or as a WOW hostess gift in a festive food bag.
** here’s the recipe **

RECIPE (!)
SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN CASSEROLE
Simple Simon to make and a flavor-bomb dinner all are sure to enjoy.
I like the idea of serving it with shredded iceberg lettuce, topped with diced, ripe tomatoes as a side kick.
Drizzled with a little dressing – or – not.
** recipe here **

Now We Move on to a Few Little Interestings

INTERESTING (!)
PHOTO OF ALL 2,000 PEOPLE WHO HELPED RESTORE NOTRE DAME
As you’ve probably heard/seen/read after Notre Dame’s devastating fire 5 years ago — it reopened this past week in all its restored splendor once again.  Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, its doors are once again open.
What an incredible endeavor.  Miracle, frankly.

See a pic of the 2,000 (yep, you read that correctly) talented, loving people who made this happen.
Gives me WOW goosebumps to look at the picture.  Outstanding collective efforts from all!
Hat Tip.
** see picture here **

INTERESTING (!)
SHOULD YOU POINT THE SILVERWARE UP OR DOWN IN YOUR DISHWASHER
Ever wondered?
** check out what’s the scoop here **

INTERESTING (!)
TEN FUN FACTS ABOUT THE ROCKEFELLER CHRISTMAS TREE YOU PROBABLY DIDN’T KNOW
** learn here **

And Now This Really Cool Performance

HAPPY DANCE (!)
THE JOYFUL FAMILIAR PEANUTS’ CHRISTMAS DANCE COMES TO LIFE IN NYC
** enjoy **

MEN DO REMEMBER!

So the story goes …

A couple was Christmas shopping.

The shopping center was packed, and as the wife walked through one of the malls she was surprised when she looked around to find that her husband was nowhere to be seen.  She was quite upset because they had a lot to do and, hence, became so worried that she called him on his mobile phone to ask where he was.

He answered and in a quiet voice said, “Do you remember the jewelers we went into about 5 years ago where you fell in love with that diamond necklace that we couldn’t afford and I’d get it for you one day?”

The wife choked up and started to cry and said, “Yes I do remember that shop.”

He replied, “Well, I’m in the pub next door.”

~ Courtesy of and with permission to reprint
poeticexpressions.co.uk.
Thanks Mike and the Team!

I WISH WE COULD PUT UP SOME CHRISTMAS SPIRIT IN JARS
AND OPEN A JAR OF IT EVERY MONTH!
~ Harlan Miller ~

THANKS EVERYONE FOR SHARING A PIECE OF YOUR MONDAY
WITH US AND READING + SHARING + COMMENTING.
WE ARE GRATEFUL!

WISHING YOU A MARVELOUS WEEK!
CATCH YA WEDNESDAY
SAME TIME SAME PLACE