Donna Sauers Designs: 'Tis the Season for Cookies, Cooking, and Entertaining!

Some of my favorite childhood memories of Christmas were the massive amount of cookies that seemed to effortless emerge from our kitchen. My mom was a wonderful cook and loved to entertain. I guess that is where I get my passion for cooking. I grew up cooking. It wasn't something you feared, it was joyful, and I wasn't afraid to try new recipes and experiment with my original creations. And taking on major projects was something that I found challenging like the year (I was in high school) that I decided I was going to make Pierogis. I have to say that the kitchen was a disaster...but I ended up with many batches of those wonderful delights with 3 different fillings. I still remember those fondly and wish I could find the recipe for my Aunt's dough that I apparently tucked away for safe keeping and now cannot locate.

Like in many families today, the annual baking events that happen in kitchens everywhere are a time of creating sweet treats made from love to be shared with friends and family. A time for generations to gather to create some of the sweetest edible treasures that will be made in the kitchen all year. I love the tradition and my memories of making peanut butter cookies for my dad and lovingly wrapping in a tin and placing them under the tree. It seems like only yesterday that I was placing those signature cross hashes in the dough.

One of my new favorite cookie recipes is for macadamia nut cookies with a creamy vanilla frosting. A sweet little treat that also looks so festive at the holidays. I always receive requests for these little delights so I am posting it for you to try. You won't be disappointed!

I like to bake, but my first love is cooking and appetizers. There is something satisfying about creating the best selection of delightful little bites for an event. For me I love the menu planning and creating just the right combination of ingredients, textures, color, etc. And like most of my friends who are artists... it is all about presentation! Anyone who comes to my house for a party knows there will be an abundance of food! I can't help myself and I get great joy out of cooking and entertaining for friends. I sometimes cater for non-profits and am always excited by the challenge of creating a menu on a minimal budget. I have also gotten pretty good at making appetizers and deserts for 100+ out of my little kitchen!

I have a slight issue with wanting to collect massive amounts of cookbooks. Seeing a shelf of cookbooks is like dangling something shiny in front of me...I can't resist! And I know I am not the only one that likes to take a cookbook to bed and read them like a good book. Sometimes it is like diving into a fantasy world and deserts I can only dream about making! And after reading Julia Child My Life in France, I now have a greater appreciation for her books, recipes, and the research and love that went into each one. Some cookbooks I have acquired because I loved them for their specific category, or they have beautiful pictures. or I found myself drooling over the descriptions of the various recipes, but I find that I have a couple go-to books that are my tried and true. One of my favorites is the Antoinette-Pope Cookbook which is my mom's copy. It is dogeared, food-stained, and well loved. It brings back memories of my early days in the kitchen. When I am catering my "bible" is Hors D'oeuvres by Eric Treuille and Victoria Blashford-Snell. And when I need a sugar fix or wonderful recipes for sweet treats I pull out the cookbook from Magnolia Bakery (hmmm... I am going to have to do that soon!)

Two of my favorite cookbooks

Just a few of my cookbooks! I have several more bookcases filled with them.

I hope that you are creating magic in the kitchen during the holidays (or if you don't like to cook have some good friends who do!). I also am a firm believer in getting kids involved early and making cooking a delightful and "artful" experience. Give them tasks to do while baking and cooking this holiday season and contribute to another generation of wonderful cooks who embrace the art of cooking!