The Reindeer Keeper

There's something both relaxing and exciting about cutting out cookies. It might be the anticipation after making and then refrigerating the cookie dough. Then waiting for it to be ready.  I use the same recipe when cutting out cookies. I found it years ago in the December, 1982 issue of Ladies' Home Journal with Drew Barrymore when she was a little girl on the cover. The recipe was included in a section highlighting favorite Cookie Recipes from 'Superstars.' The recipe I use is Dolly Parton's Christmas Sugar Cookies. I still have my copy of that issue. I go to the cupboard and bring the magazine out every time I make those cookies. The page the recipe is on is smeared with flour as well as grease stains from butter and remains of the dough itself. It's also sprinkled with love as that page has bought joy and fun and precious memories over the years. I really don't need to get the magazine out and turn to page 95 because I know the recipe by heart. I get the...

There's something about licking beaters covered in cake batter. Growing up my cousin and I would mix the ingredients of a Jiffy cake mix. Then we'd not only lick the beaters-we'd eat the cake mix as well. Not once did we get sick. I've thought of those times when making cupcakes these days with a certain little 3-year old. If she had her way she'd do more than lick the beaters.  It's different when you're the adult doing the baking. You get the job done-clean up-and that's that. But it's amazing when you are the grandparent doing the baking and you have a little helper by your side. Cookies-cakes-cupcakes-they all take on a different meaning. Suddenly flour becomes snow and sprinkles fall like rain. Perfection in rolling out the sugar cookie dough or frosting the cookies goes out the window. Imagination takes over. Forget the flawless cut-out cookies. After awhile-forget the cookie cutters. Anyone can cut out a horse-a heart-a gingerbre...