Santa to the Point

     This group of Santas graces the top of a shelving unit in my dining room. They share a distinctive feature: a conical shape and pointy hat! Of course, that is what led me to place them in a proximate area. However they are constructed quite differently. The green pair are soft-sculptures - printed fabric that was cut and stitched together, then stuffed with polyester. They are special to me because my grandmother made them several decades ago. The red trio are treasured because a dear sister-in-law gifted them to me, also many years past. They are wooden; and can be pulled apart and nested for storage. I love the unusual but analagous shapes - pinnacles overseeing the dinner table!

The Original Cookie & Noodle Maker

     Today I graduated...from my ancient cookie press. As I placed it in a box destined for a charity pickup, I almost felt a nostalgic sadness. Although only used once a year, it has been a part of my Christmas traditions for four decades, and I watched my mother use one for years before that. I remember being frustrated as a novice baker, the first time I used the metal press and the dough would stick to the template, so I'd push out more dough and then end up with an unrecognizable blob. Took awhile to master the trick of expressing just the right amount of dough, and having it just the right temperature and consistency. 

     But eventually I got it right and began enjoying the process, and the tasty beautiful cookies. Now with my new plastic "gun" it's easier than ever (although I still sometimes end up with a blob!) and the triple dents in my oldest cookie sheets will stop multiplying. (Oh and I never actually tried making noodles with that old press either.)