Band Concerts and Cookie Exchanges; the Taste and Sound of Christmas

Yesterday afternoon, we drove to Stephensville, Michigan for our grandson, Schuyler's, band concert. It was a joy to see our family there once again. We don't seem to see them as often as we once did. The kids are getting older and more involved, thus busier and Dad and Mom are busy as bees as well.

Scarlen said we could take Isaiah out of school for the last hour so that he could come with us. He and Schuyler are big buds so we knew they would both appreciate Isaiah's being there. After the concert we stopped by the house and enjoyed a few moments of delightful conversation.

This morning, I got up early and after having my quiet time with my Maker, I delved into making the cookies to bring to the cookie exchange which I will go to an hour from now. I know that many people will make very fancy Christmas cookies but I just couldn't bring myself to make those rich and gooey things. I chose to make my old standbys; chocolate chip. If I walk up to a table laden with cookies, I would inevitably reach for a good lookin chocolate chip cookie.

I also made some old fashioned cookies that I have had a yen for. When I was a freshman in college, I lived with an elderly cousin of my grandmother in Roseland, a suburb of Chicago. We called her, Aunt Teenie. She would often visit my grandmother on Saturdays; even as often as once a month. I loved it when she came and always mananged to walk over to the house next door to spend some time listening to those two old ladies laugh. They were a delightful pair. At any rate, when I lived with Aunt Teenie, I often raided her cookie chair. She made the very best cookies and they were called "Chicago Girls". Many of the bakeries in the area sold them but none compared to Aunt Teenie's homemade ones. I found a recipe in a very old cook book in my cabinet, so made them yesterday. Today when Lauri stopped for a few minutes I offered her a Chicago Girl. She bit into it and hummed. Her question was why we had never had those before. I have decided to take some of those along tonight to give the older generation a memory from earlier years and give the young gals a new taste experience.

Our cookie exchange is hostessed by our church secretary in her home. Patty is a precious gal and goes way beyond the call of duty. I know she will make a very nice evening for us tonight and I''m looking forward to going.