holiday cookies . . .
I honestly cannot recall a Christmas when I did not make these sugar cookies (at least, not since I became a mother 33 years ago). The recipe is simple. A holiday classic. Over the years I’ve honed the process of rolling out the dough and cutting the cookies. The secret is to refrigerate the dough well and roll it out between two sheets of wax paper. To keep the paper from slipping away, I fold the edge over the counter and hold it securely by leaning in with my body. The work is soothing. Handling the dough, soft and pliable. Pressing the cookie cutter down into the dough until there is that satisfying crunch of sugar against metal edge, grit-like. Sprinkling sugar over the cookie shapes knowing full well it’s going everywhere and not caring. Sliding the cookies in the oven and setting the timer for 10 minutes. Is that long enough to snap a few pictures? I guess so. I package the cookies carefully for family and friends. To sweeten the season and bring warm memories.