The In-Between Time

Delicious Christmas cookies from family, local businesses, and that old down-home faithful — Pepperidge Farm.

We have arrived at the sixth day of Christmas, and let me tell ya, I’m glad no one is buying me geese a-laying. I’m fine with belated holiday gifts but draw the line at festive and aggressive waterfowl.

I found out relatively late in life that the twelve days of Christmas begin on Christmas Day, not twelve days before it - and ever since, we’ve embraced the tradition, leaving our Christmas decorations up until January 6th as we continue to celebrate.

And really, what better way to justify the slow-moving, contented, cookies-for-breakfast state of being that exists the week between Christmas and New Year’s?

Linzer cookies with powdered sugar and raspberry jam… yumm!

Speaking of cookies, this was the first holiday season in which I made Linzer cookies.  I’ve always wanted to, but was super intimidated by the images of perfection shown on Pinterest and food blogs.  Surprise, they’re not difficult at all!

I didn’t re-hash the recipe here because only one single recipe was used and I wouldn’t make any changes to the instructions.  The recipe came from Live Well Bake Often https://www.livewellbakeoften.com/linzer-cookies/, and boy howdy did those little delights turn out just right. The lemon zest made all the difference, as did following the chilling and cooling instructions.

Linzer cookies with different shaped cut-outs.

Truth be told, they were all eaten well before Christmas, and quickly replaced with other supplemental holiday sweets.  I loved the Linzer but nothing beats Dad’s peanut butter cookies on Christmas Eve.

Part of my 2023 vision boards. Inspirational quotes, photos, and stickers to re-invigorate myself for the New Year.

Now we can look forward to the new year.  I’ve already set my goals and intentions for the year (also a new routine for me in the last few years.) The planner I use has a whole section for your personal and professional vision boards, bucket lists, and 3 main goals with action steps.

I love to fill up the vision boards with inspiring images and phrases.  Some of last year’s goals and intentions will need to swing over into 2023 as they weren’t quite accomplished, but that’s ok.

This year my favorite inspirational quote was: “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant.” (Robert Louis Stevenson).

If you celebrate Christmas, do you have a particular time when you take down your decorations? Are you setting any intentions for the New Year?