Dust and Dirt

Monday the Young Women's President called and asked if the girls could come over and serve the Bishop's family... cleaning, organizing, playing with the children ... "anything you need done, we'll do it." I swallowed hard and called GR for a pep talk. People in my house ... all over my house ... seeing, cleaning ALL OUR DIRT?! I don't think so. Not in this life time. Not this week. ... But it's the young women and they are wanting to serve. I was so torn. Like a good husband, GR convinced me it would be okay ... I would survive.

So before they came I tried to get caught up on laundry, get things put away that had been waiting for months, get some Christmas decorations put up, and the worst surfaces dusted and vacuumed. On the list of "chores" for the night ...

1. sweep kitchen floor and spot clean, wipe down kitchen table
2. help girls straighten room and put away laundry.
3. help boys straighten room and put way laundry.
4. clean mirrors and counters in bathrooms
5. dust, first floor
6. wash windows
7. vacuum first floor

They did all this and so much more, truly exemplifying the principle of going the extra mile. The house is clean, and it feels oh so good! Add the couple of Christmas decorations we've gotten put up this week and I'm starting to feel the spirit of the season, and that's a good thing.

I told the YW I would take care of the treats. Apple cider, and one of my favorite Christmas cookies ... Reindeer Cookies, using my Brown Sugar Spice Cookie recipe. Oh so yummy, quick and simple to make, plus they look super cute.

BROWN SUGAR SPICE COOKIES

1-1/2 cup softened butter
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 egg
4 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Cream butter, sugar and egg. Beat until light and fluffy. Stir flour with spices and soda, add to creamed mixture; mix well. Cover and chill until firm, about 2 hours. On floured surface, roll dough to 1/8" thickness. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350ºF for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Makes 6 dozen cookies.

For Reindeer Cookies, before chilling dough, shape in to a rounded triangle log, wrap in waxed paper and chill. Then slice, re-shape if needed and decorate with pretzel twist antlers, chocolate chip eyes and a red nose (gum drop, red M&M, etc.) before baking. Cool on baking sheet ~1-2 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.