Why yes, yes that is a Christmas cookie

I'm feeling very efficient.  Not only am I typing up this blog post on the same day that I made 2 out of 3 of these batches, but I've started the Christmas baking (so yes, that is a Christmas cookie).  I also have all my outside lights put up, I'm decorating inside tomorrow, our Christmas letter is started and my Christmas shopping for my kids has been done since October.
Now, I also have a lot of guilt.  I was raised in a strict "no recognition of Christmas until the day after Thanksgiving" household.  Growing up we always decorated outside on Black Friday (occasionally we were brave and went to Target to check out the deals on lights), and we spent the next two days inside.  However, we are traveling this Thanksgiving so won't be around, and I'm having a holiday party here on the 1st - I need to get some sh*+ done.

So here they are:

#218 Coconut Shortbread
I got to go away for a whole weekend.  3 days and 2 nights away from my kids.  Is it okay to say I didn't miss them at all?  Of course when I got back I brought them to the park and spent some quality time with them, but wow - I needed that break.  It was a crafting retreat - so I brought cookies to share.  I made these because I figured they wouldn't be our favorite but a group of older ladies would love them.  I was right.  I guess it is the perfect cookie to have a morning coffee with.

#219 Special Chocolate Treats and #220 Swirled Mint Cookies
For my Holiday (Norwex) party I needed a couple of cookies I could bake now and throw in the freezer - as we discussed, my lack of time.
 Does anyone actually like going to all these parties people have?  31 bags, the nail thing party, Usborne book parties, now Norwex.  I have to say, I was invited to a Norwex party - I didn't really want to go, but went because it doesn't take much convincing to get to leave the two kiddos at home with daddy and get to miss bedtime duty.  "Ooops, sorry honey - got to go - so and so is having this party and I really feel like I should help her out".
So I went - and I'm completely sold on the product.  This stuff cleans well - with just water.  Better than well - I'm amazed.  I cleaned the sliding door windows and Joey walked into the door - that's how clean.  Mike swears I'm going to quit teaching and become a Norwex consultant.
So I'm sorry my friends - I'm having a party - I gotta get me some more Norwex.

For #219 - I told Mike it better not be a 5 - because there were some problems and it was messy.  Unfortunately, they are a five (from both of us).
#220 - also a tedious cookie to make.  I thought I had learned my lesson about picking 2 difficult cookies to make in one day - I guess I forgot.  At least those 2 are now done for the holidays.

So I'd post the recipe for both, but that is not all that efficient - especially since the cookbook is on another floor right now and dinner is going to be ready in 10 minutes - so here's a picture instead.