Smell that? Christmas is in the air!

Baking is a whole different experience when kids are involved but the time is well spent. It always feels like Christmas when there's something yummy baking in the oven. I remember going to my Aunt Dee Dee's house at Christmastime and the entire dining room table would be covered with all kinds of delicious cookies and other munchies. Our activities would happen to take us through the dining room at this time of year although we never seemed to even step foot in there any other time.
This Christmas we have been baking and decorating and baking some more. My moms group had a cookie exchange. I made turtle shortbread cookies shaped like Christmas trees. Here's a picture and the recipe:

TURTLE SHORTBREAD COOKIES
The turtle shortbread cookie recipe is a kicked-up version of an old holiday favorite! Throw in a little chocolate, caramel, and some pecans and you have a cookie that looks as good as it tastes!
Ingredients:
3 sticks (1 1/2 cups) salted butter, softened 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon almond extract 4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt
Topping:
24 caramel candies, unwrapped 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips 2 teaspoons shortening 1 cup chopped pecans 72 pecan halves
Hardware:
Large bowl Small microwave safe bowl 1-quart saucepan Cookie sheets Waxed paper Mixer
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2: In a large bowl, with an electric mixer set on medium high speed cream together the butter and almond extract.
Step 3: Stir in flour and salt. If dough is crumbly mix in an additional 1-2 tablespoons of softened butter.
Step 4: Place dough in refrigerator for 15 minutes.
Step 5: Divide dough into 12 equal parts. Roll each part into a 1/4-inch-thick circle. Cut each circle into 6 wedges. Place wedges 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
Step 6: Bake for 8-10 minutes or until set. Immediately transfer cookies to a cooling surface for 30 minutes.
Topping:
Step 1: In a 1-quart saucepan, heat caramels over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently until melted. Keep caramels warm on low heat.
Step 2: In a small microwave safe bowl, microwave the chocolate chips and shortening uncovered on high 1-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until melted and thin enough to drizzle.
Step 3: Dip 2 straight edges of each cookie into melted caramel, then into chopped pecans. Place cookies on waxed paper.
Step 4: On top of each cookie place a dot of chocolate in the center; place a pecan half on top of chocolate. Using the a baggie with a snipped corner, drizzle the remaining chocolate over the top of each cookie.
This turtle shortbread cookie recipe makes 72 wedges

Kyle and I also went to a Kids' Cookie Decorating Party at the Braaten's house. Meredith is one brave mama to let that many kids in her house wielding red and green icing hanging precariously from spoons and knives!
Here's Kyle at the party (Barrett was in school)