Cookies For the Kids

Like most people, I am tired of the shelter in place order in effect here in Texas. Prior to the Covid-19 outbreak, I was already working from home so my weekday schedule has not changed. My weekends on the other hand are a different story. We are currently staying at home and being compliant until the order is lifted.

I have spent the last few weekends cleaning out closets and reorganizing my pantry.  The weather here in Texas has been unusually cold. It has been raining on and off the last few weeks making it ideal to stay inside. I don’t know about you, but I am ready for some sunshine, warm weather and a road trip!  However, for now we are making the best of this situation.

What can an empty nester do on a weekend when you can’t go anywhere? Under normal circumstances, I would be experimenting with something in the kitchen. However, with the limited availability of food in the supermarkets these days, I am focusing on simple meals for the time being.

As I was rearranging the kitchen pantry last weekend, I found a few extra bags chocolate chips that I probably bought around the holidays. Suddenly, I had an idea. Why not make cookies for our kids and grandchildren?  

Before I go any further, I want to share a little bit more about our family.  I am the proud mother of three young men: Brian 29, Nicholas 27 and Tyler 26. My boyfriend Kenneth has two grown adult children: Tiffany 31 and Dakota 29. Between the two of us, we have three grandchildren: Chase- 5, Ava- 3 and Hudson- 5 months. Unfortunately for Kenneth and I, our families live all over the U.S. with the closest being a 6-hour drive from Dallas. Thank goodness we all have FaceTime.

On Saturday morning I got up early. With a cup of coffee in my hand, I began to make preparations. Initially, I planned on making 2 kinds of cookies: Chocolate Chip and Oatmeal Chocolate Chip. As the morning progressed, I thought it would be fun to make some cutout sugar cookies for the grandchildren. I usually don’t make these since they are time consuming. However, today, time was my friend.

I also came across a bag of Hersey kisses and decided I should use these up as well. Peanut Butter Blossoms were added to my baking lineup.  Lastly, I decided to include some Snickerdoodles for the few who do not like chocolate. I know, who doesn’t like chocolate, right?   

And so, the baking began.  As the day progressed it started to look like a bomb went off in my kitchen. I admit I am a messy cook, something that used to make my dad crazy when I was growing up. I should have stopped to take a picture, but you will have to use your imagination on this one.

When I was finished, I made 5 different kinds of cookies which made a total of 21 dozen. I also made a batch of English toffee for a friend. The recipes for all the cookies and candy I made are on the links.  Please don’t shame me here. I love Pinterest and I use it for so many things. My best cookie recipes come from other people, so I have given them the appropriate credit for this. My favorite ones are the Oatmeal Chocolate Chip. Typically, I am not fond of oatmeal cookies, but these are amazing!  The secret is the honey in the batter which gives them a soft and chewy texture plus the addition of chocolate chips completes the cookie!

When I was finished baking the cookies, I put them in Ziploc plastic containers and packed them to be sent by mail. Here is the best part; you don’t need to go to the post office to mail your packages. The US Postal Service will send you free cartons and labels for priority mail shipments. The postage is a flat fee and is determined by the size of the box you use.  You have to pay the postage online and then print the labels on your home printer.  The post office will pick the packages up from your home if you schedule it online. There is no need for you to leave your house.

While it is difficult not being able to see our family for Easter, I know our kids and grandchildren will enjoy the home baked goodies this weekend. After all, what is there not to love about homemade cookies?