My Grown-Up Christmas List

I'm making Christmas cookies for a cookie swap tomorrow...Cleone's Nutmeg Cookies.

Ingredients

• 1 cup milk
• 1 1/3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 6 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 1 1/3 cups margarine
• 2 cups white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Whisk together the milk and lemon juice in a small bowl; set aside a few minutes to sour. Meanwhile, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg in a bowl. Beat the margarine and sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until smooth. Beat the first egg into the margarine mixture until completely blended, then beat in the vanilla with the second egg. Mix into the flour, then stir in soured milk mixture until just incorporated. Wrap cookie dough in plastic, then freeze until firm, about 30 minutes.
3. Roll dough out on a heavily floured surface, then cut with cookie cutters. Alternatively, the cookies can be rolled into balls, then pressed down with a fork. Arrange cookies onto prepared baking sheet.
4. Bake in the preheated oven until cookies are golden brown, about 10 minutes

How did I decide on these?  Well, the recipe makes 5 dozen, and I need 6-7 dozen.  I figure I can stretch it into an extra dozen or so.  And...all the ingredients are in my refrigerator and pantry.  Talk about a last minute idea.  I'm hoping I won't be up too much longer past midnight.  

As I was mixing my dough, Christmas songs were dancing in my head, including my brand new favorite song, Amy Grant's "Grown up Christmas List."  I just love that song, and it got me thinking about what my grown up Christmas list would be.  Well, I have multiple lists, and here they are:

THE IMPOSSIBLE LIST

1. For my brother, Dennis to be with us again, in body and spirit

2. World peace

3. The end to hunger and disease

DREAMS FOR MY FAMILY

1. For my husband~his dream house, dream car, and the promotion he deserves

2. My mom~peace

3. My dad~good health

4. My brother, D~a drug-free and fulfilled life

5. My brother, A~a wife that will love and cherish him

6. My brother, G~a healthy baby boy

7. My sister~a healthy baby, preferably a girl ;-)

8. My kids~outdoor play equipment for our yard

My Selfish List

1. KitchenAid stand mixer

2. Cuisinart Ice Cream/Yogurt maker~large

3. New kitchen

4. Wall removed from between my living room and toy room

5. New bathrooms

6. New house

7. New carport

8. The remains of my old carport removed

9. New wardrobe once I drop this excess 25 pounds

10. A vacation, just P and me

11. A really good carpet cleaner

And, my final Christmas wish is simply for the health and happiness of my friends and family.  I hope that we all may find it in our hearts to remember that this is truly the season of giving, not receiving, and that the best thing to give is our love and support.

Merry Christmas to all of you!