One of the first Christmas decorations that goes up is the wreath on the door. It’s first because decorating the door only involves two minutes. But once the wreath is in place, the holidays can begin. The wreath says “Come inside...Christmas is happening in here!”

Based on his recipe for TKOs Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, I’m inclined to agree that Michelin Star chef Thomas Keller [see footnote] is a culinary genius. His creation is an elegant interpretation of an Oreo cookie and I’m here to tell you that it is beyond delicious. I love the Halloween-themed cookies that it inspired me to make. Forgive me in advance for this terrible play on words, but... “Bone” apetit!

“To make people happy, that is what cooking is all about.” Thomas Keller

The idea for these Chocolate Button Cookies has been on my mind for awhile so I decided to make them when I found myself with a free afternoon. They reminded me of shopping for clothes when I was in grammar school and how much fun it was to pick out something new for the first day back from summer vacation. I might make an extra dozen to give to a seamstress friend of mine. She’s passionate about making quilts and loves chocolate. Seems like a match made in heaven.

Some of the people I love the most live too far away for frequent visits. My favorite way to connect with them — besides phone calls and Zoom sessions — is to bake for them. These sweet Deep Blue Sea cookies carried my hugs and kisses far and wide.

“Between me and thee lies the deep blue sea.” Kasha

Do you have a special person in your life...someone who knows you and loves you anyway? If you can sit with that person for hours and not have to say a single word, if that person just “gets” you and you “get” him/her, well, that’s your lobster. With the amount of time I spend baking and decorating cookies, I’m always happy to find one that makes me smile and these quirky lobster cookies did that for me.

“You’re my lobster, sugar cookie.” Kasha