500 cookies! How did that happen? Actually, I didn’t set out to bake 500 cookies, but I still had an aggressive goal: 350 was my plan. Every year around this time, I bake 350 of my favorite cookies. As much as I love them, most of them are not for me. Rather, it is my annual “labor of love” for family and friends (as it turns out, these cookies are a favorite of theirs as well 🙂
The cookies are known by several different names: Mexican Wedding Cookies, Russian Tea Cakes, Italian Wedding Cookies, Snowballs – it seems everyone want to claim ownership (even Frosty!). All I know is that they are delicious. I’ve loved them since I was a child when I’d visit my father on the weekends. He lived in Manhattan, NY at the time and we’d always stop at his favorite bakery where I could pick a treat – these cookies were my favorite. Later, as an adult, I spent several years searching for the best recipe – until I finally hit gold (thank you, Paula Dean!)
But last year as I set about my task, I goofed. Each of the baking pans held 35 cookies but each of the freezer bags held 50 cookies. About 7 hours into my task, I lost count. I opened the freezer and counted 8 bags – but instead of multiplying by 50, I multiplied 8 by 35… 280 cookies … and went back to work. Only when I reached 10 freezer bags did I realize my mistake. I had baked 500 cookies!! My friends and family were certainly excited to get extra cookies that year (and I enjoyed a few extra myself).
This year, my math was far better. I currently have 330 in the freezer ready to go (20 seemed to have already disappeared;) If you enjoy these cookies and want to try baking them yourself, I’ll send you the recipe as a bonus in addition to all the other freebies when you join my email community. And if you ever find yourself in my neck of the woods, come on by for a few cookies. I may still have a few in my freezer 🙂
Until then, I wish you and yours a glorious Christmas! Praise the Lord for giving us His Son – our Living Word Who guides, comforts, transforms us – and so much more!
How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
(Psalm 119:103)
Shadia is a passionate Bible teacher, award-winning author and speaker who has a heart for seeing lives transformed by the power of God’s Word. She holds a master’s in biblical and theological studies from Western Seminary and is author of several Bible studies.
Hi Shadia, I am truly blessed by the reading of the Sheppard’s. I had just told my husband that even though I did Christmas this year minimally I still did not have time to really celebrate my Savior. Your story of the Sheppard’s changed that. Thank you so much. We met at Mission Springs this past fall. After some conversation about my life, you directed me to Hagar. I did get into the study. However, I joined a study on Gideon at church. It is really applicable to my past I will return to it. How can I purchase the online videos? Thank you, Shadia, for your devotion to women and our Savior Jesus. Merry Christmas in the Lord
Blessings Peggy. I’m so delighted you reached out and that you’re enjoying the Hagar Bible study – and the other story regarding the Shepherds on my blog. It’s truly a sweet picture of God’s grace and love for all people.
As you requested, Here’s is the link to purchase the Hagar video series.
https://www.shadiahrichi.com/product/hagar-video-series-buy/
Also – Right now and for a limited time, you can save 25% on everything in the Store. Simply use the discount code ADVENTGIFT when you reach the checkout page.
I pray the videos bless you! And since the discount code applies to everything in the store, you can load your cart with anything else you’d like, whether for you or your friends. 😁
Merry Christmas!
For His Kingdom ✝️
Shadia
I would love to get a copy of the cookie recipe. Sounds like you found the perfect one and I trust all your hard work paid off.
Hope you are doing well! Happy Thanksgiving ❤️
I would love to get the cookie recipe. Sounds like your recipe is tried and true!
Hope you are doing well! Happy Thanksgiving ❤️
Blessings, Sarah. Certainly! Simply join my email list where you’ll receive the cookie recipe in the first ‘Welcome’ email. You can join here: https://mailchi.mp/shadiahrichi.com/biblestudytoolbox