Oh how I love a good cranberry cookie!

I must start out by saying...gee I wonder if we'll have a white Christmas?!?

Here in Illinois we are on the verge of breaking a record for the most snowfall in one month. The current record goes back to 1800 something when they first started recording snowfall amounts. I do love a white Christmas but snow everyday is a little much. AND even though I love a white Christmas I don't love the constant shoveling that goes with it! Oh wait, I haven't shoveled at all, I just traipse through it in my backless shoes and then complain that my feet are cold and wet....yup! That's me! Since we have company coming today, I believe shoveling will be in order...I better get those kids up and now!

My brother's cat Woody sits and stares out the window at the snow...and just watches it come down. What do you think he's thinking?

It's Christmas eve...the day my babies have been waiting for...and I finally feel the need to make a list. There are a few things I don't want to forget, you know important things, like wash the entry way rug, clean out the fridge, etc. etc...all the really important stuff is done. So, I thought I'd take a moment to share some Holiday images with you...Of course, my baby Aubrey... during her first cookie lesson with Auntie :) Make a note here how clean the table is...And then there's Blue...my constant cookie companion. Ever hopeful that a crumb may fall to the floor....or better yet be nudged to the floor...He is a real cookie stalker...Compare previous clean table photo to this one...this is the aftermath of 150 dozen cookies!

After all is said and done...the final product is well worth it, don't you think?

And now...let me share with you my favorite recipe...on the very bottom of that tray...under the cornflake holly, please take note of the most delectable Cranberry walnut cookies of all time. I don't remember where I found this recipe...but if you love cranberries like I do...then this cookie is a must have...

Cranberry Cookies

Yield: about 72 depending how many you eat while they're still warm!

1/2 cup butter

1 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/4 cup milk

2 tablespoons orange juice or 1/2 teaspoon orange extract plus 1-1/2 tablespoon water

1 large egg

3 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

2-1/2 cups coarsely chopped frozen or fresh cranberries, or dried cranberries (I use Craisins)

Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease baking sheets. (I always use airbake sheets) Beat together butter and sugars until creamy. Stir in milk, orange juice and egg. Mix in dry ingredients. Stir in nuts and cranberries.

Drop dough by tablespoons about 2" apart on greased baking sheets. Bake 10 - 15 minutes. Allow to cool for 2 minutes on baking sheet then remove to wire cooling racks to cool completely.

Here's my little known secret to soft chewy cookies...since I love all my readers so much, I'm willing to share it with you! After you bake your cookies and they are cooled, place them in a ziplock bag for safe keeping. Add a slice of bread to the bag (no kidding it really works) and your cookies will stay soft and chewy!

Once completely cooled, or even while still warm...you'll want to enjoy a tasty bite!

Happy baking and Merry Christmas!

2 days til Florida