Thursday, December 18, 2008

Christmas Joy

Christmas should be a time of joy, of celebration, of love, of laughter. Not a time of hurry-scurry, of worry, of fret, of woe.




Why worry about keeping up with the Joneses? The Joneses may have lots of things, but they may not have the love that you share with your family. It is my observation that the more things a person has, the less happy they become.




In our house, we live by the KISS creedo - Keep It Simple, Stupid! We have learned to say no. We have learned that it feels great doing things for other folks - without expecting something in return. That takes the joy out of giving.




My home may not win any decorating contests, but it is decorated with love, laughter and joy. With peace and contentment. I may not have a huge tree with gifts spilling every-which way underneath - but I have hope that I will not live in this world forever.




I do like to make good things for the holidays and I usually bake up a storm.



These "cookies" are one of the most simple ones I have ever made! They are a copycat of the Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookies.

Copycat Thin Mint Cookies

1 package (12 oz) mint chocolate chips
2 sleeves Ritz crackers

Melt chocolate over low heat. Dip crackers in melted chocolate on a fork, tapping to get excess off. Put on waxed paper (or foil) and pop in the fridge to harden up.

As you can see above, they are a favorite around here!

7 comments:

Jennifer said...

I couldnt agree more! Last year we started a new tradition of buying food for our local food bank instead of buying presents for each other. It makes us feel soo good!

Jaime said...

I love your recipe's. Simple yet delicious. Keep them coming.
Our family is also big into doing for others. Just like at Thanksgiving we take all our holiday leftovers and make up plates of food in pie tins and deliver delicious goodies to the local homeless.
My daughter has a great appreciation for helping others that do not have the wonderful things in life like she does. She knows how fortunate she is and gives all she has to others.
Enjoy Christmas The Rafters.

The Blonde Duck said...

That's my kind of decorating!

Marie Rayner said...

You and I feel the same way about a lot of things Raquel. I hate the commercialization that exists around Christmas today. Last night we took the young women and young in our church around to members homes with small children and delivered gingerbread houses we had made last week to them along with a Christmas Carol. We all really enjoyed it and it was doing something for someone else. We did have one girl who kept moaning about wanting to keep her gingerbread house, but in the end she did give it away. Hopefully a lesson was learned!!

Anonymous said...

We make these mint cookies but use nilla wafers. Very yummy!
Ruth, PA : )

Jan said...

Those cookies sound simple, bur so scrummy. My only concession to Christmas decorations is a tree, (I love the smell), and some homemade Christmas stockings hanging from the fireplace.

Jan said...

Your cookies look good Raquel!
Love all your decorations too.