Cookies changed my Life

I used to terrorize my sister. I know I don't seem like a terrorist but I was. I confess that I am now a changed woman, but I used to mount a terrorist attack every December in Lewisville NC. I would pack up half my kitchen, select 8-10 recipes, go extreme baking shopping, and arrive in NC and TAKE OVER my sister's kitchen... and her life no less. Never mind that she was raising a family, and running a business (during one of her busiest times of the year) and had an otherwise very busy life, she was always gracious and acted like she was happy to see me. These weren't just any cookies either, they were cut cookies, frosted cookies, bar cookies, fancy cookies there was drizzling involved. At our peak, I think we made 100 dozen. But like I said, I am a changed woman. Now I only take over her life and her kitchen on Thanksgiving.. and only by invitation, mind you.  We'll leave the past as history and focus on the cookie monster that lives here today. These days I make 2-3 recipes tops, and I give them to my neighbors, Doctors, Postal carrier, and various friends and associates.  This year I have two kinds of cookies : Apricot-Pistachio Oatmeal cookies and Cranberry-Macadamia Nut-White Chocolate. the links are to the recipes, one from Gourmet and one from Bon Appetit.

I had all the prep done except for the eggs etc, so it was really easy to throw these two doughs together today. Apricot Pistachio Oatmeal :

Not an appealing picture I admit, I blame my camera skills. Because I tasted it. It was delicious.

Cranberry-Macadamia-White Chocolate dough.. looks like a bowl of yum:

A short time in the oven and the magic that is cookie happens. Then you go out into the world and deliver smiles and joy. Joy to the World!

See you soon. I'm not sure what's cooking for Christmas Dinner. Any suggestions?