Nostalgic Cookie Sing-Along

Inspired by:

Lens-Artists Challenge #75: Nostalgic

…I look forward to seeing the nostalgic moments that are most special to you. Past holidays, times with family and friends, travel moments, or just something that reminds you  fondly of days gone by – it’s your call. Give us a small peek into the things you’re nostalgic about.

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #76: Music

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Get out the red and green sprinkles!
And the tiny chocolate chips!
Cookie sheets!
Cookie cutters!
Start the music!

It’s Time!

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When I was raising my children – and by the time each was around 2 years old – we made Christmas cookies together as a family. Simple cream cheese sugar cookies.

We used the same aluminum cookie cutters I used when I was a child.

Our tradition? I made the dough the day before so it was easier to roll out.
My daughter – and then my son – learned how to use a rolling pin and press a tree or bell shape into the flattened dough.

1992 t
Let the decorating begin!

Creativity was serious business.

The teenage years sparked unique decorating ideas such as the occasional anatomically correct gingerbread man. Ahem. All in good fun though…

Every year we were accompanied by the Sesame Street Christmas Sing-Along album pumping through the speakers (yes, we had speakers in the kitchen!)…and the clicking of the Canon camera.

My husband, I and the “kids” continued this annual family tradition for over 25 years…always accompanied by Big Bird, Cookie Monster (of course!) and the rest of the gang.

Cookies in the making. Oven warming. Four voices singing – the muppets’ lines memorized to perfection…

It’s that time of the year
When we all want to hear
A Christmas sing-along…

Or

Count, count, count — counting the days,
Count, count, count — counting the day…
I’m counting the days, ’til Christmas day is due…

(just a sample taste of this fabulous album – released in 1984 – just in time for our family).

A bit of nostalgia I never tire of revisiting.

1995 k t cookies
Cookies!
Decorated or about to frosted!

Both in pictures and in song.

A Photo a Week Challenge: From the Back

Nancy Merrill Photography is hosting a photo challenge:

The theme this week is: From the Back.

IN A NEW POST CREATED FOR THIS CHALLENGE, SHARE ONE OR MORE PHOTOS WHERE THE SUBJECT IS SHOWN FROM THE BACK.

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When my children were growing up, one of our many Christmas traditions was making special cream cheese sugar cookies. Mixing the batter, rolling out the dough, cutting out the shapes and decorating with sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, red & green sugars. We made bells, candy canes, Christmas trees, stars, Santas and gingerbread men.

Our daughter is older than her brother by almost 6 years, so by the time he could participate she willingly offered her expert big sister help. Even as adults in their twenties, they wanted to continue making Christmas cookies. If possible, together.

I loved the sight of the two of them – for over 20 years – standing in the same place – in the same kitchen…using the same cookie cutters that I used as a child.  I have yearly photos documenting this activity – and my favorites are the ones I took from the back.

xmas cookies1990 copy
1990

 

xmas cookies1993
1993

 

xmas cookies1998 copy
1998

 

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2008