I can remember from back in my childhood when my Grandparents had so much
tradition and went the whole 9 yards for Christmas: that sweet smell of fresh
baked Christmas cookies.. Yum!

So, Tis the Season , Get out your baking pans and ingredients because we are about to bake bake and bake!

These Cookies Recipes have been tried and tested and are all delicious. You can
also change the recipes up and add your own touch!

Holiday Chocolate Bon Bon Cookies

prep time:30 min
total time:38 min
makes:4 doz. or 48 servings, 1 cookie (26 g) each

1 pkg. (6 squares) Baker’s White Chocolate
1-1/2 pkg. (12 squares) Baker’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate
1/4 cup butter
1 can (14 fl oz/300 mL) sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
2 Tbsp. icing sugar, sifted

HEAT oven to 350°F.
CHOP each white chocolate square into 8 chunks; set aside. Microwave semi-sweet
chocolate and butter in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min. or until butter is
melted, stirring after 30 sec. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Blend in milk
and vanilla. Add flour and nuts; mix well. (Dough will be stiff.)
SHAPE 1 level tablespoonful of dough around each white chocolate chunk,
enclosing white chocolate completely. Place, 1 inch apart, on ungreased baking
sheets.
BAKE 6 to 8 min. or cookies are until soft and shiny; sprinkle lightly with sugar. Let
stand 5 min. on baking sheet. Remove to wire rack. Cool completely. (Cookies will
firm up as they cool.)

S’more Sandwich Cookies

prep time:20 min
total time:1 hr 47 min
makes:33

1 pkg. (250 g) Philadelphia Brick Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup icing sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
4 tsp. coloured sugar
1/3 cup Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Creme
2 squares Baker’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted

PREHEAT oven to 325ºF. Beat cream cheese, icing sugar, butter and vanilla with
electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add flour and baking soda; mix
well. Cover. Refrigerate 1 hour.
ROLL dough to 1/8-inch thickness on lightly floured surface. Cut into 66 cookies,
using 2-inch festive cookie cutters. Sprinkle half of the cookies with coloured sugar.
Place all cookies, 2 inches apart, on ungreased baking sheets.
BAKE 12 min. or until lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets 1 min. Remove to wire
racks; cool completely.
SPREAD bottom side of each of the plain cookies with about 1 tsp. marshmallow
creme; cover with remaining sugar cookies, bottom-sides down, to form sandwiches.
Drizzle with melted chocolate.

Chocolate Shortbread Cookies

Prep:20mins
Total time: 38mins
Makes: 5doz or 60servings

2 cups butter, softened
1-3/4 cups icing sugar, divided
3-1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 pkg. (6 squares) Baker’s Premium 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate, coarsely chopped

HEAT oven to 350°F.

BEAT butter and 1 cup sugar in large bowl with mixer until light and fluffy. Add flour
and cornstarch; mix well. Stir in chocolate.
ROLL dough into 60 (1-inch) balls; place, 3 inches apart, on baking sheets. Flatten
slightly with bottom of glass.
BAKE 13 min. or until centres are set and tops are lightly browned; cool on baking
sheets 5 min. Add warm cookies, 1 at a time, to remaining sugar; turn to evenly coat
both sides of each. Cool completely on wire racks.

All Recipes come from Kraft.ca

Written by Mompert: Kristal Simituk

HOW is my favorite organization that directly gives to the children and truly one of those places where the funds really do go to the needed. After donating a few years ago to HOW I have become e-mail friends with one of the founders and know her to be one of the most generous and self less people I have ever met. This is truly one way to make that tremendous difference in a child’s life.

You can make a difference AND give a gift!
Chantal Brosens, Founder of Little Angel Hugs will donate an Angel Doll to a sick child in need with every $50 tax-deductible donation to HOW.  Angel Dolls are beautifully handmade and provide a sense of peace and protection to the little ones who need it most.  Not only will your donation give an “Angel to an Angel”, it will also provide medical care for children in need of life saving surgery.  In our work this year in Vietnam, we have encountered many children suffering from a variety of conditions including congenital heart disease.  This type of condition is treatable with the proper medical care, but many impoverished families simply do not have the resources to care for their child’s health. HOW is working to locate these children, educate their families and raise funds to ensure that these kids receive the care they deserve.

To read more about Angel Dolls visit: www.littleangelhugs.com.

To make a tax-deductible donation to HOW go to www.helpinghow.com

Give an “Angel to an Angel this holiday season!
With every $50 donation to HOW, Little Angel Hugs will give an Angel Doll to a deserving child in need.  Not only will you put a smile on a sick child’s face, your donation will also pay for much needed medical care for children in need of life saving surgery.

Standing on my soapbox, JB

Renowned animal illustrator Eleanor Grosch brings you the most beautifully designed accessories for your baby. All of her animals are simplified to their essences and colored vibrantly to reflect the loveliness of our natural world. Each bag has a roomy interior, plenty of storage pockets and an adjustable shoulder strap. Inside you will find, an insulated bottle bag, zippered storage pouch and fold-out diaper changer pad.

These bags make a statement and provide gorgeous color and style to something you carry with every day. Their functionality is most important along with their unique design that accentuates every mom’s personal fashion sense.

My new commitment to Soapbox readers is to provide great products at great prices, so we have a limited number of bags at an amazing soapbox price. Regularly priced at 90.00, we may have what are looking for at the Super Soapbox price 44.99. If you love to price compare, check out these other sites to really see what a great deal this is. Theirs are listed sale price of 85.95. In fact, this is even better than on amazon.com. Enjoy shopping.

Happy Holiday and Standing on my Soapbox, JB

These are the ONLY Christmas leggings on the market made with BAMBOO yarns. That means they are super-dooper soft, not to mention, hypo-allergenic for any child with allergies or those with sensitive skin. Bamboo has been heralded to be odour resistant making them beneficial in the event of small spills or even diaper leaks. Speaking of diapers, leggings are the perfect accessory for EC babies and potty training as they make a fast trip to the bathroom easy.

My three year old has so many pairs of Agoo Leggings™ that she is able to pick out which one she wants to wear each day. With the snow here I simply slip a pair on under her jeans or pants or over another pair of tights. My favourite use for them is on her ankles where the icy cold wind hits as she rides in the stroller. I even used a pair on her brother when tobogganing to cover the top of his boots and keep the snow from getting in.

The best thing about Agoo leggings is that they are longer and wider than other brands and really do go from 0 to age 12. They fit chubby legs, long legs and even arms as the older girls are wearing them right up under their favourite short sleeve T-shirts.

Soapbox is proud to promote the fantastic buy-one-get-one -50%-off-sale right in time for Christmas. Go to agooleggings.com and get these adorable  Snowflake leggings along with your other favourite pair at an amazing discount.

Happy Holidays and Standing on my Soapbox, JB

I just Google exactlywhat I am looking for and boom, there it is: pink skates for my daughter, vintage Ferrari car for my son, that new bestselling book for my sister and a burn-out-velvet scarf for the mother-in-law. The opportunity to price compare, receive coupons, find deals and get great perks is just one of the added bonuses in the shopping extravaganza on the web.

To make life even simpler, the new discount sites send daily deals right to my inbox, so without any effort I can see the greatest deal offered on the web while still in my pyjamas.. How awesome is that!

My new favourite site is Mother Of A Sale where a plethora of baby and mom friendly items are up to 80% off every day. Fabulous name brands like Joe Boxer, Robzees, Bug-a-lug and more are offered every day. In fact each sale that arrives I find someone who needs exactly what they are selling.

As an Super Soapbox saving to you.. sign up for the Mother of a sale newsletter and receive their terrific sales daily. After you sign up you can use our exclusive soapbox ADDED discount of 10% your first purchase… how cool is that ?

Big savings and then even bigger savings care of soapbox…using this coupon code: robsav10 (all lower case).

Here’s the link to sign up now and start saving… Mother Of A Sale

Standing on my soapbox, JB

Determined as I am.. it took me a few days to track down the wholesaler.. but I did, and got 2 for the price of one!!! So now I have every color and have ordered a few for my friends.. and of course I couldn’t help but think about all my soapbox friends.. maybe with the holidays around the corner, you yourself would like to have the hottest belts out there, at a super, special price…a Soapbox Special price… $24.99!

Standing on my Soapbox, JB

At first I smiled and felt happy about their private camaraderie. It was nice to see them communicating in their own unique way. After a few exchanges, I would kindly call from downstairs that it was bed time and no more talking, but each night it grew to be a bit more and more.

The last few weeks it has turned into games and getting out of bed. My son offering to retrieve a book from a shelf my daughter can’t reach, my daughter giving my son one of her stuffed animals to play with. Trips to the bathroom are now in pairs and each one makes an effort to tuck the other one in so they are the last to their own bed.

Like many things with kids, it gets pushed and pushed till the barrier is blurred and rules seem to be out the window. Lately they have carried on up to an hour after bedtime with me shouting and threatening discipline as a last resort. The other night they made two joint trips to the bathroom and had to wash their hands for what seemed like forever…patience worn thin I went upstairs to harshly put them back to bed.

As I rounded the corner into the bathroom, raising my voice at their goofing around, my son fearfully scurried into his bed, but my courageous and determined three-year-old daughter stood there and said. “Stop being a volcano mommy!”

Out of the mouths of babes, she was right; I was being a mommy volcano. I laugh about it now, but at the time, not quite as funny, though true. Since then I tell them if they don’t want to see the volcano, then they had better get to sleep. It seems to be working for the moment, but I would love to hear your comments on how you get your kids to bed or any suggestions you might have for this mommy volcano.

Standing on my soapbox, JB

Feeling great, she donned on some heels, new red lipstick  and called a babysitter to surprise and somewhat ambush her husband with her new look. We giggled as she anticipated the atmosphere of romance and quickly got off the phone for a night of thrill between the sheets.

Around 11:30  I noticed that she was online ….   curious, I e-mailed  and asked what she was doing on the computer?..  Why was she not in the throws or passion and interlude with her hubby?..  She laughed, replying, "  Mission complete" .

I fell off my chair laughing. She was on the couch, under a blanket watching one of the shows she taped and resting, letting  me know she had crammed a month of romance into two hours…that’s 40 for ya!

Standing on my soapbox, JB

Of course a number is just a number and it really is all about how we feel inside, so I have to admit I’ve been feeling less than forty, but more worked over than ever. I don’t look like those forty years olds I remember as a young woman, yet nor do I have the fresh-face skin and ‘living in the Hamptons’ look either.

These last few years of glorious mommy hood have been a complete life-changing experience, and although I wouldn’t change a minute of it for the world I can look back and see what a ride it has been. From the sleepless nights to the hormonal fluctuations, from the parenting rules to the rules we too need to have ourselves as parents, from wanting to know everything to throwing our hands up with no clue what so ever, this roller-coaster ride of being a mom has been one heck of an experience so far!

For those of you who follow soapbox, you may have noticed that this mommy sort of disappeared lately. My know-it-all, do-it-all, get-it-done ‘fuse’ just fizzled out. All the chores, tasks, demands, and things I had to do just took on a life of themselves and it was my blog that had to give. At times I was remorseful, disappointed, and angry that I had no time to update and connect with all of you. At other times I understood that life was asking me to prioritize, clear my plate, and refocus. Like the babe learning to walk, I had to re-find and re-define my way to make me important. That meant health and happiness came first, joy and laughter second, peace and harmony third, and all the unnecessary items were deleted.

Now, through the thick of it, I can look back and see how we moms easily overload ourselves with tremendous amounts to do, work ourselves ragged, and extend ourselves too far. When that happens, something has got to give and too often it is our own health, our own goals and our own peace of mind. Having been there and back, I simply wanted to share my experience. I wanted to reach out and express that I suspect every one of you reading this has done more than you ever imagined juggling motherhood, working, taking care of everyone and everything.

Unlike writing a blog, motherhood has no time off, there is no down time and there is no disappearing. Although we may be able to drop things, reorganize and take time off other duties, the role we have as moms is all encompassing. The key is to find balance, moderation and things that allow us to rest, rejuvenate and restore ourselves.

I saw a great article on the 50 ways to be happy, but with moderation in mind I thought I would only start by sharing the first 10. Not to be inundated nor overwhelmed… this is a good start towards some of the positive thinking and action steps that will support me and you result in a more balanced day:

1. Stop behaving badly. We know the things we do that are not good for us, make us feel bad about ourselves – stop doing those things. Do what feels right.

2. Moderate everything. Too much of anything is bad for us. Know when to say enough is enough.

3. Stop procrastinating. Chunk it down, do one thing right now that you have been putting off.

4. Face it. You know what you avoid and what negative activities help you escape. Make a plan to face it – head on. Get help if you need it. But, deal.

5. Forgive. It is not about letting them off the hook. It is about you, stop carrying that weight around with you. The load will crush you.

6. Laugh. Lots. At anything and everything, for no reason at all. Have a tickle fight, watch movies, do what you have to do to evoke deep belly laughs.

7. Dance. By yourself, with children or with others. Just dance, bounce, bop – move.

8. Do something wild. Something that you have always wanted to do, but fear held you back. (Keep it legal, people.)

9. Get quiet. Meditate, pray, breathe. Quiet your mind for as long as you can each day.

10. Decide. Stagnation works against you. Make the decision that is right within the depths of your soul.

So after what I am calling my ‘Super Mommy Sabbatical’, a rest from doing just too much, I emerge happier, healthier and clearer. I find myself focusing on what is important to me, what makes me feel good and what allows me to be more of who I am. No more taking on too much and no more burnout from lack of balance. No more getting lost in all the stuff to do, but rather enjoying doing stuff. Now I include in my days that which makes my heart sing, that which is just for me. Combining this with the joy that I receive from my children, family and friends is essential!

What does this mean to all of you? Well, I’d like to welcome myself back to Soapbox, to a part of me I love, enjoy and cherish. With moderation in mind, I look forward to sharing more of the next phase of my mommy hood. My son started school full time in the fall, my daughter is taking ballet. There are no more diapers, bottles, or baby talk in my daily routine. The high chair, diaper pail and plastic bibs are gone. This is that next step that comes too quick for every mom, but one that I am thrilled to embark upon and share with each of you. Thank you for your understanding and support.

What is essential to include in your days? What is it that makes your heart sing, what is it that you could find some time to do – just for you?

Standing on my Soapbox, Jb

A mother is someone to shelter and guide us, to love us, whatever we do, With a warm understanding and infinite patience and wonderful gentleness, too.

How often a mother means swift reassurance in soothing our small, childish fears, How tenderly mothers watch over their children and treasure them all through the years!

The heart of a mother is full of forgiveness, for any mistake, big or small, And generous always in helping her family, Whose needs she has placed above all.

A mother can utter a word of compassion and make all our cares fall away, She can brighten a home with the sound of her laughter and make life delightful and gay.

A mother possesses incredible wisdom and wonderful insight and skill – In each human heart is that one special corner which only a mother can fill!

Standing on my soapbox, JB