‘Twas the night before Christmas holiday...

...and all through the house

every creature was stirring except for this mouse.

The stockings were packed in the suitcase with care

in the hopes that BA would fly them swiftly through the air.

Bunny in her pyjamas, Little Flower sitting in her lap,

were reading a Christmas story while last-minute gifts mama wrapped.

Nordicware gingerbread cake tins

Gingerbread house cake with icing sugar snow!

When all of a sudden there arose such a clatter,

the girls sprang from their chair to see what was the matter.

When what to their weary eyes did appear

but mama smiling in the kitchen surrounded by gifts of good cheer.

She was dressed in her apron, surely not at this hour?

And her clothes were all tarnished with sugar and flour.

A spice-scented cookie she held delicately in her hand

and she grinned like a queen who ruled all the land.

“I’ve found it!” she cried. “What?” came the girls’ plea.

“At last I have found the perfect Christmas cookie recipe!

“I needed a recipe that was tasty and quick.

“And these fruitcake cookies were just the trick!”

Walnuts, raisins, cherries, figs...

“The ingredients make dough logs that I slice

“into cookies when needed, and they make 60 – quite nice!

“On my list I have so many handmade gifts

“that I’m glad to find a recipe that makes loads and is swift.”

Then a wink of her eye and a twist of her head

gave the little girls warning that it was soon time for bed.

She spoke not a word but went straight to her craft

and filled all the gift bags, tied them with ribbon, then laughed:

“Look at the bags and the jars balanced steady.

“There are so many presents, it looks like Santa’s been here already!”

While papa settled the girls in bed safe and sound,

mama packed up the goodies to deliver all round.

Early next morning they bundled the kids the car

and readied themselves for a Christmas afar.

And she was heard to exclaim as they drove out of sight:

“Happy Christmas to all, I hope we have a smooth flight!”

Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year! 
Chrissie x