Advent Day 4 - Baking Memories

by Mindy Obenhaus

Christmas. The word alone conjures up images in our minds. The twinkling lights, familiar carols, the aromas of cinnamon and cloves and Christmas cookies fresh from the oven.

Ever since I was a little girl, I have always loved Christmas cookies. The cut-out, decorated variety, in particular. Unfortunately, my mom was not a big baker. My great-aunt Gladys, on the other hand, loved to bake, however she didn't have any children. Matter of fact, she never married. She was quite a character, actually. Very independent. And quite different from most women born in the late 1800s. 

One day every December, Gladys would invite me and a couple of my cousins to join her in her very tiny kitchen to decorate Christmas cookies. For me, it was a dream come true. The cookies, the icing, the sprinkles! I looked forward to it all year long.
It was a snowy Saturday morning in mid-Michigan when me and my cousins Betsy and Jeff gathered at Gladys's for our annual cookie-decorating event. I was so excited I could hardly contain myself. The smell of vanilla still hung in the air from all those fresh-baked cookies. Christmas trees, stars, snowmen, angels... I don't remember what I was doing, I only recall turning quickly and running into my cousin Jeff--who happened to be carrying a sheet pan that contained his allotment of cookies to decorate. The collision sent the pan tumbling to the linoleum floor, where the cookies promptly broke into pieces. Boy, was I glad those weren't my cookies. 

Then Aunt Gladys uttered those words that still haunt me today. "Mindy, you'll have to give Jeff half of your cookies."

The thought of parting with half of my beloved cookies had my bottom lip trembling. Tears welled behind my tortoise shell glasses. But no one dared argue with Aunt Gladys. She was a retired school teacher, which, in my little mind, was akin to a drill sergeant. So I gave Jeff half of my cookies and vowed that one day I would make my own Christmas cookies.
Years later, when I was a young bride, a dear family friend gave me a recipe for sugar cookies that I still make every December. I've shared it over at the Yankee-Belle Café and you can find it here. They're soft and delicious, just the way I like them. And whether I'm with my kids, grandkids, or by myself, decorating them is still a treat. 
For today's gift, I'm giving one commenter a set of holiday cookie cutters and a copy of my February 2020 release, Her Rocky Mountain Hope (US only - International winner will receive ebook only). Simply leave a comment telling me about your favorite holiday treat.
And don't forget about the Kindle Fire drawing found at the end of each post during that Advent season. We'll choose a winner after 12/25/19 and announce it on New Year's Eve Day.

Three-time Carol Award nominee, Mindy Obenhaus, writes contemporary romance for Love Inspired Books. She’s passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren at her Texas ranch. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com


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