Annual Cookie Bake

This time of year is filled with yearly traditions. With out these special things the season just would not be the same. The annual cookie bake is one of these special traditions. It is an event that I look forward to each year not only because I go home with dozens of yummy cookies but also because I get to spend the day with my two very best friends---my Mom and Heidi. We take turns hosting the event and this year the cookie bake was held at Heidi's home. She has a beautiful home--so warm and welcoming--the perfect place to spend time with each other laughing, talking, sharing, and of course baking. We are each in charge of bringing the ingredients for two cookies --even our choices have now become a tradition. I am responsible for the Snickerdoodles and the Chocolate Chips.......

My mom takes care of the Thumbprints, Hershey Kiss Cookies, Peanut Butter Cookies, and the Chocolate No Bake Cookies. She always brings more than she is supposed to....

And Heidi's contribution is the Sugar Cookies and her mom's recipe for Apricot Tort....

Here are the sugar cookies just waiting to be iced

After baking for most of the morning, it is always nice to stop for a bit to eat some lunch. Heidi made the most delicious chicken salad and served it on whole wheat bread. It was so good I just had to have the recipe. I thought I would share it with all of you.....

Chicken Apple Salad

1 13oz can of chicken--shredded

1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and chopped to make 1 1/2 cups

1/3 cup dried cranberries

1 stalk of celery, chopped

1/3 cup fat-free or light mayonnaise

1/3 cup fat-free or light sour cream

1 TBSP lemon juice

1/8 tsp ground cinnamon

handful of chopped pecans--optional

Shred the chicken into a large bowl and add apple, cranberries, celery and pecans. In a small bowl mix together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, and cinnamon. Add sauce mixture to the chicken mixture. Serve on whole wheat bread. Enjoy!!!!!

It was sure nice to take time from the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season to spend time with two people who are so special to me. Now I think I will go and have one of those yummy cookies with a nice warm cup of tea......