Ahhh the smell of sugar cookies

Yes, sugar cookies can be made any time of year, but for me it's mostly Christmas time, that means hauling up the old Kitchen Aid from the basement (I live in a tiny 1940s house so there is no room for it in the kitchen!) and the Better Crocker cookie book and making a couple batches of Mary's Sugar cookies. I wish I could smell the cookies in the oven right now, but I'm waiting on the dough to chill.

My new favorite topping this year is peppermint sprinkles on top of the icing!

Nut Free Granola

I LOVE nuts, there is no doubt about it. Black walnuts and peanuts are probably my favorite, but I married a man who is allergic to every type of nut. In the past 6 years since we've been married I have mostly written off old family recipes that included nuts since my husband couldn't eat them, until this year. I have been hungry for granola. I remember making yummy nut filled granola with my mom as a child. I mentioned this to my husband and he said he would be willing to try some if I left the nuts out. In my awe and amazement, he loved my first try!

There are some things I want to tweak and try different recipes as well, but this was my first try, based on this recipe from food network's Alton Brown. It ended up a little sticky and the sunflower seeds are a little over toasted since they were dry roasted to start with it was a good first try!

These were the ingredients I used instead of the ones listed on the recipe.

• 3 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup craisins
• 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots