"Sweet Pea, Chicken Noodle...Our Little Peanut"

Along with the holidays, comes the usual frenzy of activities...cooking, decorating, gift buying. As much as we are eager to spend time with our loved ones, we spend more time scurrying around getting things done!

Emotions are escalated during this time...elation...grief...lonliness...frustration from the usual family dysfunction. It's all there for each of us...common threads connecting us within a diverse web of cultures and traditions. Maybe we should slow down a bit, and look into each others' eyes...take the time to see the connection between people, and share the moments that are truly meaningful.

This year, my special moments are about Ava Rose, the newest addition to the family.

Ava Rose is the daughter of my niece Lori, and her husband Mike. During my Thanksgiving visit, she was just the mere age of three months. In this short time, she has been given many nicknames..."Sweet Pea", "Chicken Noodle", "Munchkin", and "Arf" to name a few!

Ava Rose loved my storytelling. She listened with wide eyes as she learned about the big Florida palm trees and the curly tail lizards. She can't wait to come visit and take a dip in the swimming pool!

As much as I enjoyed talking to her, and holding her, the real moments involved watching Lori and Mike care for their baby girl. I'm not sure if they read up on how to be good parents, or if their parental instincts just kicked in, but I watched them in awe.

Lori gave Ava a bath as if she'd been doing this forever. Not only did she gently bathe her, but she gave her a back stroke swimming lesson that Ava thoroughly enjoyed. I then watched Lori convey her love with every soothing stroke of baby lotion, and every dab of Desitin. She talked to her baby the whole time, and Ava returned the look of love right back to her mommy!

Proud Daddy Mike was equally as skillful. He could scoop up his little girl and place her on his knee, providing the most enjoyable motorcycle ride! You could tell she felt content and protected.

I like their nickname the best..."Our Little Peanut"! And I like what new life brings to the holidays...pure joy at having the most meaningful essentials...food...shelter...and a lot of love!

Some day, our little Peanut will read this, and know that she's the best gift a family could ever receive!

In honor of our little Peanut, we give you a great cookie recipe - Peanut Butter Cookies. We give this to you with love!

From Mama Melisi and Me

Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs
1 cup creamy or chunky peanut butter
1 cup butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla

Mixing Instructions:

Combine the flour, baking powder and baking soda in a bowl and set aside
Take your mix master and beat the margarine or butter and peanut butter together
Then beat in the sugars, eggs and vanilla.
Add the dry flour mixture

Chill the dough.
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and form the dough into balls
Place 2 inches apart on the parchment paper
Flatten with a fork
Yield 6 dozen

Bake at 350 degrees for about 12-15 minutes or until lightly golden brown