Christmas in the Kitchen

Our kitchen has been the center of activity this past week. As Christmas approaches, we bake and prepare for family and guests. We have had one party then another to prepare for, with a birthday tucked within, as well as holiday baking to start and finish. We have made coffeecakes, spritz cookies, chocolate bon-bon cookies, dipped pretzels and molded chocolates. Last night we made sugar cookies and pumpkin bread! Our daughter mixed the cookie recipe, rolled and cut them. I baked them and she decorated them. She did a wonderful job and I know her classmates will enjoy them (since they requested them)! Our little big guy, now 6, frosted some cookies also. Funny how the cookie disappeared under the frosting? The men in the house did not hesitate to eat them! And I thought I had the sweetest tooth in the family?

This past Sunday, O wanted to open her gift she received at daycare – a gingerbread house. Since I was going to be in the kitchen anyway, I said she could. Her brother wanted to help as well and she was nice enough to share. The deal was made. He got to decorate the tree and one gingerbread person. She got the house and the other gingerbread person. They went to work. I had frosting in the refrigerator so I asked them what color to tint it. They were happy to have 3 colors to work with. It was nice to step back; take pictures and listen to them talk and discuss techniques and/or ideas. As well as hear them complement each other on the way they decorated their pieces.

Why is the frosting coming out both ends? Ok, time to teach the little big guy the proper technique to working with a frosting bag.


O’s look of concentration.


The end result - beautiful!