My 12-year-old will tell you December is his favorite month of the year. He simply loves the holiday traditions - cookie baking, filling his brother's stocking, the jigsaw puzzles, the tree, his concerts, and the parties. I enjoy it too, but my "to do list" grows to EPIC lengths which, if I am not careful, can lead to a bit of Scrooginess.
One of the ways I'm making my own fun is designating this as "Elf Run Week." Last year, on a whim, I headed out on a run a few days before Christmas in a Santa hat and had such a good time I decided to start a little earlier this year and give myself most of a week instead of just one run. Today I broke out the new candy cane striped socks and Santa hat and set off on an early morning run. Any traces of Scrooge didn't stand a chance under those conditions!
For all my good eating, this is the one time of year where I break out ridiculous amounts of butter and sugar and bake. We made four kinds of cookies this year for a total of 48 dozen to package up and give to teachers and neighbors. And OK, we kept some too!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBN33h9iDLGVqN3cxNaD-uHp4a399km2qnVzr8IVerhBCueb31l-5o3AC_7PIaznv8Jl63SRPZf76m4LpyfBSW4JbO2MmNr8rAYPHYZV0vk2TCCCZ_WTwfpqYc2L0lFD0htkz9Y8eUNUQ/s320/IMG_3922.jpg) |
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies |
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Sugar Cookies |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMPBMl1qWxMlEv4f8nxuEHPOTzCCKWvvkK9ZTLmXHkSAI0Lv-sDmB528YmpvJIGl2rL1I2tS2N44kbJvrblJDAmlEkLuuFxF6ZVf6TPcJ-mRTM1Bs3UlV48jwwb-b9YsrtsHiGYzRLyI/s320/IMG_3923.jpg) |
Chocolate Chip |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLS7_FbdWf8FSvuVOic6raKpv4esHL5wMK8TPduClR_U-oq3kPGvNc0BwHnQJKxahaHGSTTL4D3foc_J1JsvpMuY2OPTSyWxCfToWHfnCwwlSs0RccwjYGZbokoA5wjXOFzZB3Sh5szuw/s320/IMG_3937.jpg) |
Oatmeal - Cranberry - Walnut |
Mmmmmm.....hungry?