Last year, I did not get the opportunity to fly home for Christmas. Since it felt very unfestive and depressing, I promised myself that this year would be different. The good news is that this year is indeed different than last year. However, after completing my final exams for the semester, I came down with a cold which later turned into what appears to to be the flu. Or pneumonia. Last night as I was lying in bed, I thought to myself, “This is it. I’m going to die. Pneumonia finally got me.”☠️

Replace Happy Valentine’s Day with Merry Christmas and you’ve really got something.

Unfortunately, due to my crappy immune system, I am unable to bake sugar cookies this year. It is a tradition at my mom’s house to bake sugar cookies and shortbread during the holiday season. Also, I am unable to attend a Christmas Eve party tonight with my husband and his family’s friends. There’s not a whole lot I can do while I recover but I pray that I will feel well enough to spend Christmas with my extended family tomorrow. I am hoping to see my cousins who I have not seen since 2016. In the meantime, I am admiring some of my mom’s ornaments and have uploaded some photos. Aren’t they pretty? I especially like the hand-painted bobble that was given to me as a gift when I was a little girl.

My aunt’s tree is completely covered with these furry little owls. My mom only has a couple of them but I noticed that they kept appearing in the photos. All of these photos were taken by me.

Instead of wallowing in sadness and feeling sorry for myself on Christmas Eve, I had an epiphany. Why not share these cookie recipes with all of you? Wouldn’t it be better to spread some cookie love than to stay grinchy this year? I may be sick but I can still use a laptop and write cohesively for the most part. Here are the classic cookie recipes that my family has been using for decades.

1. Shortbread Cookies
2. Sugar Cookies

What are some recipes that you make during the Christmas holidays? Please leave a comment below↓

Thanks for stopping by!