December 5, 2010

White Dog and The Other White Dog, our "Big" kids, got to go with us this morning to run a few errands and for a stop at the "little" Dog Park (road construction has made WD's favorite park, normally only 3 minutes away, nearly a 15 minute roundabout nightmare to reach).

When we got home, with large coffees in hand, we sat down with The White Dog Army to strategize the division of labor during this, Christmas Cookie Baking Day 1. Our plan was to devote the entire day to baking and to complete at least four of the seven different types of goodies needed for the holidays. We had laid in supplies yesterday; Steve had pulled out our largest storage containers; and I had organized recipes and batching information.

We started slow and easy. While Steve melted chips and peanut butter, the pups lined up for a taste of pb...just to waken the taste buds. I took over to finish up the cookies under White Dog's careful watch that I maintain consistency in size and shape.

Meanwhile Quinn and Steve mixed together butter and confectioner's sugar and flour. TOWD knew just the right amount of flavoring to add. Puff bravely stood in the kitchen doorway observing the action until the oven door closed a bit too loudly after the pans...then she was off to her safe place.

Another White Dog volunteered for the job as vacuum cleaner. Nuka thoroughly went around cleaning up any dropped bits and kept the floor free of slipping hazards. At one point AWD found a pice of chopped walnut and carried the treasure into the living room to savor. The poor girl (who has only about 8 teeth remaining) kept trying to chew on her find but the small piece kept slipping out of her bite. When she finally got a good tooth hold her look was precious. It said, "Yuck! This is NOT what I thought I was getting! What a waste of time!" Puff scuttled in behind her and slurped down the bit.

We watched the supplies dwindle as they became finished cookies. The cranberries were chopped and disappeared into the dough; pistachios were ground; spice jars were emptied. Soon the house smelled wonderful and the cooling racks of treats filled the counters. Of course, we had to all share a taste...or two. We met our goal and the White Dogs still had room left to ask for dinner. Now we all bask in the warm fragrant-still house and relax our very tired selves. We have given each other many pats of accomplishment but no one is asking for a treat reward!