My Christmas tradition (going on four years now) is to bake a new type of cookie and make a craft.

For cookies, I used to make walnut vanilla cookies, but lately I am getting bored with them. I still made them this year, however, the cookie that I have been focusing on is the mini apple tart.

Last year I attempted to make mini strudels which was an utter disaster due to my lack of skills with phylo dough. I made tart dough this time. I think it turned out better but I must keep a few things in mind for next year:
– always wait a day before eating them. It will give time to dough to dry out a bit and be a bit more crust like
– do not use whole wheat flour. Though I am not sure about that, after a day or so, I did not think it was all that bad
– bake for 12 minutes at 445 degrees, or something like it

Overall, these cookies show potential, but aren’t too great. My nostalgia for apple strudel is probably why I like these. I don’t know if anyone else thinks they are any good. My mom liked them, but I think she suffers from the same strudel fondness.

My other craft turned out a bit better. I was making reusable gift bags from cloth. I combined useful with pleasant and had a few friends over to work on this and other crafts. It is great to have friends who are into making crafts. I have fond memories sewing and knitting with my grandmother so I always enjoy crafting with company. I always think about my nona when I make crafts, it is such a pleasant way of remembering her.

Unlike my cookies, bags were a success. It took me much longer to do than I expected and I had to run out and get more fabric and ribbon to complete the project, but it was all worth it. Sewing with a sewing machine was much easier than I thought it would be and I am much more confident about my sewing now. I am thinking of some future projects, but have not made up my mind yet.