Dances, Thank you for the cookie recipe! I no longer have the stamina to mix a big batch of cookies together and then bake them all, but this is doable. Mix, put in fridge for when I want them, bake as many as I want at a time (I even used the toaster oven for a few), and they taste great! SharonG/FL

These cookie bars are so easy to make and very delicious. You can't eat just one! 2 sticks butter 1 c. granulated sugar 1 c light brown sugar, firmly packed 2 large eggs, well beaten 2 c. self-rising flour 1 c. toasted pecans (I used walnuts) 2 tsp. pure vanilla Directions: Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Melt butter and add sugars. Blend well by hand (no mixer). Add beaten eggs, stir well. Add self-rising flour and stir until the lumps are gone, just until blended. Add pecans and vanilla. Turn out into a greased and floured 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread with your fingers or a spatula dipped in water. Bake approximately 40 to 50 minutes (ovens vary) being careful not to over bake. When cool, cut into squares. Note: You can dust these with powdered sugar while still warm. I have also added a pinch of cinnamon to the sugar. You can use pecans or walnuts, both or good. I have also thrown in a 1/2 cup simi-sweet chocolate chunks, however the cookies are delicious without the chocolate. I made these in the medium pan I melted the butter in. No need to dirty a bowl. Quick & easy! You will like them!

Everyone! Harry sends his heartfelt thanks for all the good wishes. He's back to "normal" now and just waiting for the next feast. Ole Joyful - I was worried for him. Chocolate is not good for dogs; I understand it, and raisins, builds up toxins in their liver. There were just a few of the treats that had chocolate chips or drizzle, and he's a big active boy, but I'm sure he's had his limit for 2015 and 2016. Sam wasn't' left out in the cold, LOL. But he was locked in the mudroom so he couldn't "share" in the bounty. He's still Harry the Perfect. It doesn't mean he doesn't get creative and mischievous now and again, he just does it perfectly! LOL Sam the Not often follows his lead. Phoggie - I don't know if pumpkin would help our tummies or not. It probably wouldn't hurt to try it. I don't know the science of research on pumpkin, but the vet once recommended it so I keep a few cans on hand in case either dog seems to have an ache. Socks - Harry the Perfect has never once in his 12 years, 11 months, and 2 weeks (give or take a few days!) had a boo-boo in the house. Not even when he was a baby puppy. Of course, had the cookie feast resulted in an accident, I would have understood. I would not like it; but I would understand. Watchme - Sam is the world expert on "stinky." He has two favorite treats when he's out on the prairie for a hunt. Mice, and Moose Poop. He ranges so far out that Wes can only watch and wonder what he's into now. Mice are easy; both boys do the coyote jump, up high, down on the front paws, grab the mouse, toss it in the air, jump up, catch it, and swallow it whole. Disgusting. But coyotes will be coyotes. Harry (the Perfect) does not bother any type of poo. Neither does Sam - except for moose poo. Oh Gracious. It's nasty (like huge, huge rabbit droppings) and he has major, loud, nasty, gas for days and days after he gets into some. Wes is trying to break him of this habit, but once Sam goes after a moose trail he's so far out there that Wes can't see him. We don't hunt moose; Wes tries to avoid them, but Sam is bound and determined to "retrieve" one. Little Goofus. Lukkiirish and Jo Mooney - Harry and Sam are both Deutsch Drahthaars; a German breed of versatile hunters. They hunt, retrieve, track, point, anything from a quail to a bear. My boys hunt upland birds, waterfowl, and small game. I've told Wes they are not allowed anywhere near even the scent of bear or pig. That's for other people and their dogs - not mine! They are as serious and dedicated in the field as they are silly and uncontrolled in the house. Upland bird hunting...Sam on right. Harry is actually much bigger, but he doesn't look it here. Sam in the duck boat wearing his floatie vest.

justwantapool-I make the peanut butter cookies with the Hershey kisses. It's the only one I cheat on and use the Betty Crocker cookie mix for. I find the full size kisses too large for the cookies so last year I used the Brach's chocolate stars. I think they're just the right size and the star shape is pretty on the cookie as well. I noticed this year that Ghirardelli also makes a drop that they say is specifically for that type of cookie. They call them Thumbprint Drops. Miss lindsey-I make the raspberry thumbprints as well but this year, I got a fig orange jam to try in mine. I love figs in cookies so I thought I would give it a try.