Final Post

Wow what an amazing and exhausting experience this has been. I had so much fun with this project but I am glad it's over so I can take a break from baking (and eating) a little. By Christmas Eve, almost all the cookies were being stored in my grandma's previously empty fridge and freezer in her basement and they were filled to the top. I have never seen so many cookies in my entire life, it's actually insane.

Christmas Day we had two large platters of cookies filled with a few of each cookie. They were heavy trays. My cousin Kristin wanted all of our cousins to hold a cookie and take a picture with my mom and me holding a tray with all the cookies. My mom and I were standing, holding these heavy trays for a good 10 minutes waiting for the picture to be taken. I think I developed a little arm muscle within those 10 minutes so thanks cookies!

Here we all are! And if you zoom in really, really close on my arm you can see my muscle popping out... I'm just kidding with you! These are my lovely cousins, brother, and mama! Kristin came up with another great idea! She said we should have a 24 Club. Anyone who tries all 24 cookies gets to join the club. My mother and I, of course, already joined the ranks of that club but we didn't eat them all in one day. So that was the challenge presented. And one man came out victorious, my cousin Joey (the one in the Eagles jersey).

By 10:00 Christmas night, he had eaten 23 different cookies. The last cookie was at my grandma's house but he was not willing to give up so easily. So he and I drove to grandma's house and brought home all the cookies. He finished the last one and joined the prestigious 24 club. Congrats Joey!

And here's the picture to prove it! The sign isn't really visible but it says "I ATE ALL 24 COOKIES!" So there's your proof. I don't know how he did it but he did!

Yesterday, we still had the issue of cookie-filled freezer so we decided to make trays. We made them for our neighbors and some family.

Here they are all nine of them. And believe it or not we still have cookies left.... So if anyone is interested in some cookies, come visit the Burks household! We are trying to get rid of them!!!

Anyway, I wanted to give shout-out to my cousin Andrew for being such a great supporter of my blog, reading it every day! Thanks to all my friends and family who have supported us through this project, you're the best! Thanks to all of you who read my blog. I'm really glad everyone loved it and I hope at least someone got a good new recipe out of this!

Will we do it again next year? No, I have a new journey awaiting me but don't you worry, the Christmas cookie baking tradition will continue on for a long time.

Happy New Year! I hope 2014 brings you love and joy.

xoxo, Marissa