Every year, my dear friend Kelly has a massive cookie party.  You need to understand that this is NOT a cookie exchange.  She bakes dozens of different kinds of cookies, then invites her friends over to eat cookies — and then take a plate home!  Her husband serves up some to-die-for chili and appetizers.  I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the Christmas season!

From Kelly, I learned the importance of three cooking tools:  the thin cookie turner, the cookie drop, and parchment paper.  I did not used to like to bake cookies, until Kelly introduced me to these tools!  Now cookie baking is much more fun.