I'm so Chexcited!

 I was so Chexcited about getting a care package from Mom that I was tracking it with Parcel, a great iPhone app that lets you follow the trail of parcels you send and/or receive. After Mom mailed it from Louisville, Ky., Nov. 22, she gave me the tracking number. Using the app, I knew it was in Chicago the next day; reached the UK International Hub on Thanksgiving Day; and on to the Oxford Depot Friday. So I knew that Mark (or somebody with Parcel Force) would bring what I had dubbed "Chex box" on Friday.

I couldn't wait for the package because I wanted to make Chex Party Mix so much! I even measured out the rest of the ingredients, got out the roasting pan, and I had the 1-cup measurer lying on the counter in wait — let's get this Chex Mix party started, right? I had a loaf of Pumpkin Bread from Thanksgiving enrobed in foil and tied with raffia at the door for whoever brought my treasure box. Finally, Mark came about 5 p.m. and as soon as we gladly exchanged our packages, I was off to mix my cereal squares together for the first official holiday batch of glorious Chex Mix. Yes, I love it that much. It's — yes, I'm going to say it — Chextreme how much I love it.

We were nibbling on it as it dried on paper towels. We snacked on it later while we watched "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" on the ol' VCR. We must have had it for breakfast too because it is gone! And there are only two of us eating it. This madness must stop! But it's Chriiiiiiiistmas!! So, I made another batch and we will have to just go easy on it, I told my son.

I was tempted to finish up the cereals and make another batch but I thought it would last longer if I didn't. I did, however, measure out all the dry ingredients, with seasonings separate, so I can whip up a batch as soon as is necessary!

I found some great snowflake-shaped pretzels at Sainsbury's and I used pecans and cashews. I also add a 1/4 teaspoon of celery salt to mine, as was traditional when my Grandma Baker made it when I was a kid. She also used Cheerios and called it "Nuts and Bolts." Lisa and I used to add Bugles but I don't anymore.

I have always complained that the three boxes of cereal should be the same size (or at the least, do a special promo for Christmas). You can just about get three batches out of three boxes but the wheat is always light. That's nine cups each, but you only get seven cups of wheat. So, I make one regular batch, then the next two have two cups of wheat each, and an extra cup of corn/rice to make up for the loss. I know I'll get one more care package from Mom before Christmas. And it will have three boxes of Chex cereal in it. But next year, I'm going to start with four (an extra wheat), so I have enough wheat to make every batch Chexceptional.

2012 - I'm on a Roll!

I started to roll out the Sugar Cookies this morning at 11 and just finished baking them (it's nearly 4 p.m. on Nov. 27). I made stars, trees, snowmen, canes, ornaments and JOYs (these are new and I love them!). I had four cookie sheets, so I was able to keep way ahead — I had two in the freezer, one in the oven and one on standby. I wound up with nearly 14 dozen (there were a few delicious casualties).

I also made 22 trees with sprinkles on them (not to be frosted) for Charlie to take in his lunchbox this week. I made four look like bloody arrowheads to mimic the ones that Marge Simpson made for Bart by putting red sprinkles on the tops of the trees. He loved them! The rest will be frosted and decorated tomorrow.

While I was baking, I also made pizza dough and got out the Christmas linens (potholders, tea towels, tablecloth, aprons, etc.) and a few decorations to greet Charlie when he comes home from school.

Mom's care package came about 15 minutes ago! YIPPEE! She's soooo cute, the way she puts little surprises in there. Whether it's a sauce mix, a pickle in a bag or a Christmas ornament — she always tickles me with something special. Now I'm off to make a glorious batch of Chex Party Mix with the cereals she sent — whoohoo!

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I made three batches of Chex Mix! Fortunately, I had pecans and cashews on hand because I knew the package was coming. I made one batch for Charlie with no pretzels or nuts (otherwise he picks over them and leaves the mix grossly unbalanced!). But I caught him picking over the rice squares in his own batch! Ridiculous! Mom's sending more. Good thing — you only get three batches from three boxes. I could eat it every single day. Yummm! I also used celery salt this time (1/4 teaspoon) after researching Chex Mix for Our Cookie Journal. The old recipe called for it but the current one asks for seasoned salt, garlic powder and onion powder. I like celery salt, so I used it.

2012 - Loafing Around? Make Some Pumpkin Bread!

I'm going to make more Pumpkin Bread as soon as Neil gets back with more eggs and pecans. I made only one batch so far, yielding four generous loaves. There was a gorgeous aroma filling the house. It was so irresistible that I had three slices as soon as I could! I enrobed the rest in aluminum foil and popped them in the freezer. They will be enjoyed over the next few weeks.

Mom said all the cereals (for the Chex Party Mix) won't fit in one box with everything else that I requested, so she's sending one care package today (Nov. 20) and the rest next Thursday. I'm not at all disappointed — this will stretch out the happiness! Only two days till Turkey time!

2012 - In the Christmas Spirit Already

It's only Nov. 15 but I sent some money to Mom via PayPal so she can send me a care package before Thanksgiving — I neeeed Chex Party Mix before Thanksgiving.

Meanwhile, Charlie wants to have a cake stall at school to help raise money for the Children in Need charity day they're having. I made cupcakes and brownies for him to sell. Since I'm brimming with holiday spirit already, I'm using Christmas sprinkles and listening to Danielle's Xmas Mix playlist that I made for her last year. The school children will appreciate the festive look too, I'm sure.

I'll be making Pumpkin Bread soon, since I like that for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Of course, I'll have pies to make too. Then I can focus on COOKIES!

2008 - History Repeats Itself

I know I say this every year but this must be the absolute latest first entry ever in the history (15-year history, at that) of Our Cookie Journal. It's already Dec. 14. I actually started baking quite early but I haven't been diligent about recording my efforts.

First, I made Pumpkin Bread a few weeks before Thanksgiving. And by Thanksgiving weekend, it was all gone. We made a few batches of Chex Party Mix before Thanksgiving too. That disappears in a flash around here because Charlie is as bad as I am about scarfing it down. So Mom had to send more cereals and we have enough for one more batch and that's all. Boo-hoo.

The main reason for the late start has been the kitchen remodeling that Richard started in late June. He began by laying the floor tiles and doing a bit of the wall tiles. Eventually, we had to get someone in to finish and that started Nov. 10; they got out the day before Thanksgiving. Officially, they won't finish till Dec. 20! So it's been a wreck out there but it's almost finished and MUCH improved. It used to be burnt orange and bright yellow; now it is blue, grey and white.

We did manage to make a double batch of Hedgehog Cookies for Charlie. I think we made those the day before Thanksgiving. I just put the last dozen of them in the snowman cookie jar last night. I'll have to make another batch for him this week, when I get some more brown sugar.

I made Nestle's Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies too because I prefer those (with pecans). I think that was two weeks ago. I stuck most of them in the freezer.

Then on Monday (Dec. 8), I made Sugar Cookies, finally, because I knew I had to send some to Charlie's class on his last day (Dec. 11). I didn't have powdered sugar, though, so I couldn't frost them till Wednesday. I made a double batch and cut out trees, stars, canes, bells, snowmen and, for a change, reindeer (about a dozen each), plus a few dozen or so each of mini trees and mini stars. I used a new technique with the candy canes: I striped them, then ran a toothpick through the stripes vertically (à la Martha). They were lovely, I must say. I was up until about 2 a.m. frosting them. I got some really cute boxes for giving them away too — they're Chinese takeaway boxes with Christmas patterns, of course. We gave one box each to Mrs. Record and Miss Lawrence.

On Tuesday, Dec. 9, I made a double batch of Dunkable Brownies. I didn't have enough semisweet Baker's chocolate, so I used a Green & Black bar, which was perfectly delicious. I made 5 1/2 dozen with walnuts and 1 dozen no-nuts for Charlie. By the time the last day of school rolled around, I had only three types of cookies to share! Unbelievable!

2007 - Meet My Able Assistant, Charlie

After Charlie and I returned home after his soccer practice, I made Dunkable Brownies. I was going to double the recipe but my Skyco order of American groceries hasn't come yet. I wound up with 46 with walnuts and I made a dozen for Charlie with no nuts. Then I made another batch of Snicker Doodles dough to go in the fridge.

We went to Clemmie's birthday party today (Dec. 15). But before we left I made a batch of Checkerboard Cookies dough (two rectangular "logs"). After we got home from the party, I baked the Checkerboards for a yield of 21 white-and-black cookies and 21 black-and-white cookies. 

Then Charlie helped me make the Snicks. He was so helpful! He rolled the dough into balls; made the cinnamon-sugar mixture; rolled them in the mixture; and removed the baked cookies from the tray. What a helper! We made 8 dozen. 

Afterward, he decided to start his own Cookie Journal! How cute is that? We also made another double batch of Hedgehog Cookies (6 1/2 dozen) and some Kolacky dough to throw in the fridge until tomorrow. 

I was all set to make the dough for the Gingerbread Kids for Charlie's cookie decorating party but I don't have molasses! How could I not?! The gingerbread party is on Monday! I could have a crisis on my hands! I'll have to figure something out tomorrow. 

I finished the day with a batch of Chex Party Mix. I pulled it out of the oven at 12:45 a.m. Good night! 

2007 - Better Late Than Never

I think I set a record for late starts this year. There was no way I could start the day after Thanksgiving, since I had the dinner. I've made a batch of Pumpkin Bread (before Thanksgiving) and I've made two batches of Chex Party Mix, but no cookies until today, Dec. 3.

I had to walk Charlie to school first, before I could start baking. He requested "Tree Cookies" to take to the Pantomime on Thursday, and I need to finish the teachers' cookies for Friday morning.

The snowman cookie jar is filled with Charlie's favorite: Hedgehog Cookies.

Still, I made Hedgehog Cookies first, to fill the Snowman cookie jar. I made a double batch but it sure doesn't look like there will be enough! I wound up with 5 1/2 dozen, so I'll be making more of those for sure. I have only enough chocolate chips for another double batch. I'll have to get more grocery goodies from Skyco next Monday or so. I took four "Hedgehogs" to Charlie to eat on his walk home. I use that recipe every year but I haven't copied it into Our Cookie Journal yet (I still consult "Joy of Cooking"). You'd think I'd have it memorized! I have a compulsive nature to double-check the recipe anyway.

After I knocked out the Hedgehogs, I made a batch of Sugar Cookies from Martha's 2005 Cookie magazine. I'll get those rolled, cut out and baked tomorrow. Charlie I spent the evening making invitations for his Gingerbread Party on Dec. 17. We used a cookie cutter to trace out gingerbread shapes on brown construction paper. He has invited NINE schoolmates! The other parents think I'm crazy but Charlie's really looking forward to it and I know it will be fun.

2006 - Chex Party Mix to the Max

Now, to get back to yesterday (Nov. 17), when I was happily interrupted (finally!) by a care package from Mom. 

After I called Mom with the good news, I whipped up a batch of Nestle's Toll House Cookies. "It's beginning to smell a lot like Christmas!" I came out with 5 1/2 dozen, which won't even get us through November! So, I'll be back at it later today.

Naturally, I made a batch of Chex Party Mix yesterday too. But in my enthusiasm, I set the oven too low (150 degrees Fahrenheit) and it should have been at 250. It's still delicious — complete with Bugles, cashews and pecans. Mom sent some nice little pretzel knots too.

Since that box went missing and I was desperate for Chex Mix, Mom sent another package containing the three Chex cereals and a few other goodies that will be here before Thanksgiving! So, it will be Chex Max this year! Well, the butter is softening, so I better get busy measuring out the ingredients for the next installment of Toll House Cookies.

2006 - Good Things Come in Care Packages

Last week, Charlie and I made a batch of Pumpkin Bread and came up with eight fragrant loaves. As usual, he could hardly wait for them to cool so he could have a slice or three! We nearly ate one loaf in one day. We wrapped up two loaves to give to his teacher and her assistant (Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Hunt). And we gave a loaf to our neighbor, Linda. As of today, Nov. 16, we're down to one frozen loaf! We'll have to do another batch this weekend.

Fortunately, I have 10 cans of Libby's pumpkin to tide me over through next year. I usually get it at Waitrose but they've discontinued it this year! However, when I questioned them, I discovered they had a case in the warehouse! So, I snatched up what I needed for bread and pie through next year. Maybe by then Skyco will carry pumpkin and not just pumpkin pie filling (the two are not interchangeable, and I prefer pumpkin, so I can add my own spices). Otherwise, I'll have to get Mom to send a few cans over.

Goodies from a typical care package from Mom.

The curse of the Chex Party Mix continues this year! Aaarrgghh! Since Skyco had only Corn Chex this year, I asked Mom to mail the cereals, Bugles and pretzels about three weeks ago (plus about $75 worth of other goodies). But so far, it hasn't turned up and Parcel Force is saying it's lost. I was SO unhappy and disappointed over it! And since I really must have Chex Mix before Thanksgiving, I asked Mom to resend the cereals and pretzels, and a few other things in the lost box. She mailed it this morning, so maybe I'll have it by Monday or Tuesday. But it won't contain my box of chocolates, or my new jammies, or Charlie's T-shirt, or the treats Mom added to the first one.

WAIT A MINUTE!! Unbelievable! It's HERE!! Mark's here with my package! I gotta call Mom! (And lay out the paper towels for the Chex Mix to cool on). Yay!

2005 - ONE Batch at a Time

"Naughty Hotel Keeper"

I need to catch up! I made Chocolate Chip Cookies on Nov. 30 because I was craving them. I made one batch and wound up with 5 dozen. Since I'm not going home to Kentucky this year, I decided not to make any double batches. There might be a few repeat performances though! Especially since I plan to give some away to teachers, mailmen, neighbors, shop people, etc. And I'd like to send some to Joan, Neil's mum.

Lisa called that day too, to say that her Dunkable Brownies had arrived and that they were deelish! As of yesterday, Michelle still hasn't received her Lime Meltaways. Maybe today ... Yesterday, the last of my Chex cereals finally arrived! Whoo-hoo! I couldn't make it right away, though, because I was going to Charlie's school, where he was playing the "naughty hotel keeper" in the Nativity play at school. Charlie reckoned the innkeeper was naughty because he wouldn't let Mary and Joseph stay at first, and then they had to stay in the stables.

When we returned home, I made a batch of Chex Party Mix. Again, I made only one batch. But it's delicious and going fast! The recipe calls for 1 cup of mixed nuts, which I've never liked, so in the past, I have always added 1 cup of cashews. Mom had a yummy idea — add pecans. She was so right! The pecans were a fantastic addition and made a tasty change.

2005 - Tube o' Cookies

Lisa called yesterday (Nov. 29) to say her tube o' cookies had arrived! She said that some of the Dunkable Brownies had broken (that's the way the cookie crumbles?), but it hadn't affected their yummy, chocolate taste. I'm so glad she got them.

Meanwhile, I'm still waiting on a care package from Mom so I can make Chex Party Mix. She sent it a week ago and paid for express delivery. I can't believe it's taking so long, considering it's not even December.

If it gets here tomorrow, I'll have Party Mix before December starts, like always. Neil left this morning for two weeks of horse racing in Hong Kong. I hope to get some baking and decorating done today.

2005 - My Cookie Baking Has Gone to Seed

I made two batches of Spicy Pumpkin Seeds today — one for us and one for my next-door neighbors Linda and Neil. Their heating was off. These babies should warm them up! 

Meanwhile, I made two batches (four logs) of Lime Meltaways. They're in the fridge and I'll slice and bake tomorrow. I used paper towel tubes to keep them nice and round. I hope to be able to mail some to my niece Michelle in Florida.

Since I had only one loaf of Pumpkin Bread left, Charlie and I cranked out another batch of seven loaves today. I wanted to finish the Meltaways but I had too much housework to do. I'm trying to get everything nice for Thanksgiving.

Neil's "Aunt" Joy and her husband, Alan, are coming from New York to stay one night on Saturday (a week from today). Hopefully, my Skyco order will come tomorrow or Tuesday, so I can get some Chex Party Mix made before then.

I need a cookie plan too. I should read over Our Cookie Journal and my recipes and decide what I'm going to bake so I can be more efficient and get it all done. And I want to mail some home too. I know I'm making Sugar Cookies. But what else? 

Spicy Pumpkin Seeds — a great snack!

Spicy Pumpkin Seeds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup raw green pumpkin seeds, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt, and 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice; toss to coat. Spread on a rimmed baking sheet; bake until puffed and browned, about 10 minutes. Spread on paper towels to cool.

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This recipe was shared with the Appetizers edition of the Gallery of Favorites, sponsored by the great gals at Premeditated Leftovers and The 21st Century Housewife.

2004 - Epic Cookie Fails & Resolutions

Where the heck did December go?! It's Jan. 3 and I'm finishing up a video that featured several cookie shows from the Food Network. That's a perfect example of how far behind I got this year!

It wasn't my best year for cookies either. I made two more batches of Nestle's Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies and got about 6 dozen each time. And I made another 7-loaf batch of Pumpkin Bread. I put a loaf or a dozen cookies into a Christmas-print cello bag and they made wonderful presents for mailmen, neighbors and shop people. Charlie helped me present them and wished them all a Merry Christmas.

The day before Christmas Eve, I made a batch of Vanilla-Bean Butter Cookies (which I'd  never made before and Moravian Spice Cookies. Unfortunately, I never got a chance to bake them! I don't know when I thought I'd have time for rolling and baking. I just put the doughs in the freezer to haul out one boring, January day.

So, next year, start — and finish — in November! I thought I'd have plenty of time since I didn't go home to Louisville this December, but that was a poor prediction. And it's much nicer to be able to relax — cookie-wise — in December and just pull out what you need from the freezer all month long.

On Christmas Eve, I made homemade white cupcakes (no mix) and a seven-minute frosting, so I could make coconut cupcakes. They were so beautiful but the frosting hardened so badly that we didn't get to finish them all! 

I also made another batch of Chex Party Mix, thanks to Mom sending me another box of Wheat Chex (I've expressed my disdain about the different box sizes of these cereals before). Actually, I made two more batches. So, the thing to do next time is to just buy two boxes of Wheat Chex from the start.

My Buttermilk Brownies didn't
look anything like these.

Another disaster was a batch of Buttermilk Brownies that I made. The recipe was from a 2002 cookie issue of Better Homes & Gardens magazine. They looked so good in the 'zine, and anything made with buttermilk sounds great to me. But they were intense to make. Then, after I frosted and cut them, I discovered a common disappointment with brownies — they weren't done in the middle. They were disgusting and wound up in the garbage can. Even the edge ones weren't really salvageable. If it weren't for the Nestle's Chocolate Chip Cookies, this year's results would have been a total disaster! Better luck next NOVEMBER!

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I found the Better Homes link to the Buttermilk Brownies recipe and, as you can see from their photo, they look SO darned good! I'm tempted to forget everything I've said here and try them again. Let me know if you've been successful.

2004 - The Sweet Smell of Nostalgia

I was going to make another batch of Christmas cupcakes for Charlie's little classmates, but the lady who runs the Montessori school said I shouldn't because they would have enough to carry home from their Christmas party. I do that every time: I ask! If I don't ask, they can't say "no," right? Next time, I'll just show up with my Tupperware carrier tray of baked goods and who's going to resist? But for now, we'll just make another batch for ourselves!

Meanwhile, I made a batch of Nestle's Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies. In fact, I'm eating one (or three) right now! Charlie was gobbling them up too, which is funny because he prefers Choc-Oat-Chip Cookies. He must not be able to taste the pecans. They are irresistibly good, though. I got 6 1/2 dozen — I hope that will be enough.

As the kitchen filled with the aroma of chocolate chip cookies, my head filled with memories. Naturally, I thought of Lisa because we've cranked out so many ensemble. I miss having her help and her company. The work is definitely lighter and the cookies twice as tasty, I'm sure!

And I thought of Dad and how he could scarf down a half dozen easily with one cup of coffee. Of course, we had to make his Chocolate Chip Cookies without nuts. I almost want to make Whoopie Pies because of him. I could almost hear him say from the living room, "Bring me a coupla Whoops, Knutie!" 

Grandma Baker in her groovy kitchen of the
1950s. My memories are from the '60s.

And the first bite of one of those moreish sandwich cookies takes me right back to Grandma Baker's kitchen at the old farm house. I'm sure all the grandkids loved that kitchen as much as I did! There was a revolving Lazy Susan in a corner cabinet and a drawer that was actually a flour bin. There was a big chest freezer in the garage, right off the kitchen, where all the cookies were stashed. I made many a trip out there for another bag of cookies to fill a tray. Grandma served those cookies when we arrived, with sandwiches for lunch, after supper, during a card game — all the time!

No doubt she has played a huge role in our love for cookies! And Mom, too, of course. One of my earliest memories is of her casually drawing a smiley-faced cookie on a yellow canister with a green marker pen. Bing Crosby was singing "White Christmas" on the radio as she filled that canister with Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Back to the present: Mom sent us a Christmas care package, including presents and grocery goodies about 10 days ago and it's still not here on Dec. 10. She paid extra to send it express mail too. Lisa is sending me more Wheat Chex so I can make another batch of Chex Party Mix.

Lisa got her care package of cookies from me today! I was on the phone with her when she opened them. What fun! And Danielle told me that she liked the "Hedgehogs" when I talked to her later on the phone. I gave Charlie's teachers a loaf of Pumpkin Bread each, so I'll have to whip up another batch. I have to get busy and bake more cookies too!

2004 - I'm in the Mood for Cookies

It's the day after Thanksgiving (Nov. 26) and I'm exhausted! 

We had a great holiday, in the end, but Charlie had a 24-hour-virus Tuesday. He was sick as a dog and had to stay home from school Wednesday too just to be on the safe side. But  he was feeling better Wednesday, and I was able to bake a  pumpkin pie, a peach pie (both with homemade crusts), and a pan of brownies. I also made My Corn Chowder later that night because I didn't want the ingredients to go bad. Anyway, it freezes well and I love it anytime.

Last Sunday I made a batch of Pumpkin Bread that yielded seven heavenly mini loaves! Lisa made a batch this week too and even used all the ingredients required! (See Unpumpkin Bread) Mom made a batch that she confessed was dry — she blames the flour she used. I also made a batch of Chex Party Mix last week but it has already somehow vanished. I'll have to make more  — fast! I brought home the cereals and Bugles in my suitcase when we visited America for Halloween. I'm so glad Charlie got to go trick-or-treating with his cousins! He went dressed as Peter Pan, of course. He dresses as Peter Pan most days anyway!

Our last visit home was in May and now that we've come for Halloween, we won't be able to return for Christmastime and it's going to make a HUGE difference in my merriment ...

I think I'll get the season off to a start with a batch of cookies today. And if I can't go home in December, I'm going to mail some cookies to Lisa! What should it be? Dunkable Brownies, I think.

2003 - Ten Years and Counting

We have kept a record of our recipes, observations and
memories over the years in "Our Cookie Journal."

Here we are in our 10th year of "Our Cookie Journal," although we've been baking cookies (and other delights) longer than that. Still, it's quite a record we have kept and I aways laugh and cry whenever I read through "Our Journal" again. I try to read it once before I begin baking, so I can benefit from any notes we may have made in the past about our favorites. Some years are harder to read, though — like our first Christmas without Dad, or my first year in England, without my family.

The reason I have it out as early as Nov. 8 this year is that I made Pumpkin Bread today. I used Mom and Dad's tried-and-true recipe and wound up with eight aromatic mini loaves. I've already had two yummy slices (topped with cream cheese). I'll have to make another batch so I have plenty to share! I emailed the recipe to Lisa again - let's hope she remembers the  pumpkin this year! (See UnPumpkin Bread!)

We can't help including Pumpkin Bread in "Our Cookie Journal" - especially since Dad always loved baking it and giving it away at Christmas time. A few batches of Pumpkin Bread are the standard prelude to all my cookie baking too. (I feel the same way about Chex Party Mix too. Mom mailed a package containing Chex cereals and Bugles to me last Wednesday, so I've already made two batches of Party Mix too. I did it within an hour of receiving the package! It's all part of Christmas to me.)

Anyway, since I'll be "Home for the Holidays," or at least for Thanksgiving, I'm going to start baking next week. I'll need to take cookies with me and I'll want cookies in the freezer for when we return. Now, to peruse "Our Journal" and decide what to make this year!

2002 - Wheat's My Favorite!

The Wheat Chex is a decidedly smaller box! BOO!

Each year, I vow to write or call General Mills to complain about Chex cereals and this year, I mean it. I don't want to complain about the cereals, as such. It's that I'm unhappy with the disparate quantities among the three varieties.I have always been disappointed with the puny size of the Wheat Chex box, so I sent them an email complaint.

The problem is that each batch of Original Chex Party Mix calls for 3 cups each Rice, Corn and Wheat Chex. The boxes come thusly: Rice = 13 cups; Corn = 12 cups; Wheat = 8 cups.  After the cereal has settled, at least one cup of that is crumbs. Consequently, I never have enough Wheat to stretch to three batches, and I'm left with too much Corn and Rice. And Wheat is my favorite. 

I suggested they offer a special, three-pack for holiday consumers - with all the cereals in the same-size box - so the Wheat Chex can accommodate a third batch. Are there really people who buy three boxes of Chex cereals at Christmas time and then make one batch of Chex Party Mix? And then what? Eat the rest of the cereal for breakfast? I don't recommend it; especially if I'm invited to the party where the Chex Party Mix is being served. It's nibble-icious.

As it is, I can only make two batches. Here it is Nov. 16, and that'll be gone before Thanksgiving. Yummy! I'm glad that Neil doesn't like it - leaves more for me. I'll have to watch Charlie with it though. 

That's all I managed today. The Chex Cereals came via express airmail from Mom. She sent some Bugles too - they're always fun to play with! I may pick up some more Chex cereals when I go home Dec. 2. A box of Corn; a box of Rice; and TWO boxes of Wheat.

1993 - Note to Selves

We made all these cookies (and the Chex Party Mix) in three sessions. We used aluminum cookie sheets, which we cooled on the porch to keep the process rolling. 

We made 62 dozen total (that’s 744 cookies!) and two pans of Peanut Butter Fingers and two pans of Barb's Brownies. We gave Mom a half-dozen of each variety for her cookie tray, except for the Whoopie Pies, which we hoard until Christmas.

After we take out Mom’s share, we divide and freeze until Christmas is near. It’s so funny how the tables have turned. Here we are freezing all of our cookies as the kids look sadly on, and we used to moan about Mom freezing all the cookies she made for Christmas. In fact, we developed a taste for frozen Chocolate Chip Cookies by raiding the freezer all December long. Then we’d wear our most innocent expressions as Mom frowned into her freezer and swore she made more than what was there.

I took a sampling of assorted goodies in to work and, later that week, I got a recipe from my gal pal Carla for the scrummy Peanut Butter Bursts that she brought in to the newsroom to share. 

We didn’t get a chance to use the cookie gun Lisa bought. She found a recipe for Cocoa Cookies and there’s a Lemon Spritz variety that we will definitely try next year. 

All the cookies were baked in Lisa’s electric oven at about 10 degrees lower than specified because it runs hot. We kept a sink-ful of soapy suds going to ease the workload. We took turns stirring but I do all the rolling and cutting of the Sugar Cookies. 

Next year: MAKE MORE!

Sisters, sisters, there were never such devoted sisters.

1993 - Chex Party Mix? That's Not a Cookie!

We realized that there are a few things that are going to pop up in Our Cookie Journal that don't exactly fit the profile. 

However, since they are a necessary ingredient in the Holiday Mix, they will be covered here. Enter Chex Party Mix. Grandma Baker used to make it too but she called it Nuts 'N' Bolts. I love that. Her version had the obligatory Chex cereals, but Cheerios were the nuts and pretzel rods were the bolts. Now it's made with all manner of ingredients but we tend to follow the recipe on the Chex box, substituting Bugles for bagel chips. (We always get silly and put the pointed corn chips on our fingers for the witchy look too.)

This year, we made more botches than batches! We had the floor batch, in which I knocked a pan of mix ready to be baked on the basement floor at Lisa's (she has two ovens - how handy is that?). We laughed our rears off about how it would taste and what we'd find in it but, naturally, decided to throw it out. We burned the first batch by baking it at 350 degrees instead of 250. So, we sprang into action, righted the temperature and churned out some primo mix. Then we made the crumbly batch that comes from the last bits in all the cereal boxes. Not a pretty sight — we couldn't find a square in there!  — but still good enough to eat.

NOTE: The General Mills website has a link for a half recipe. I have to laugh at the notion of a half-batch! Why would you ever make a half-batch?!?