Luisa, lovely cookies! Years ago you helped me find the recipe for my daughter's favorite german hot breakfast cereal, and we both remain grateful for that (and the recipe has a spot in our rotation). But I totally feel you on the Christmas stuff! This year I am living by myself in France (sabbatical), with the family arriving to celebrate together next week. My intention of decorating has not materialized into decorations, but I did find an old string of lights in my flat. That will just have to do - and I know I will find joy in my simple holiday.
Dec 8, 2023·edited Dec 8, 2023Liked by Luisa Weiss
An Amaryllis bouquet AND Christmas cookies, you are way ahead of me! I haven’t intentionally checked out, Christmas will come eventually and I’m looking forward to it, but it is still many, many weeks away, surely… These cookies sound very good.
I so hope it’s Domäne Dahlem you’re visiting! It’s still one of the most magical markets I think I’ve been to and just so cozy and wonderful. My favorite porcelain ceramicist usually vends there, and I’ve been so sad I can’t go in person.
I’m having a somewhat opposite experience this year and finding myself really *wanting* to lean into decorating as a way to fight through the current very grey burnout—I work in the humanitarian sector and the confluence of so many crises right now is horrific and overwhelming. I baked up your Lebkuchen this week after their long slumber in my cupboard, and they were very warmly enjoyed by my friends and colleagues in the office. One cookie at a time, you’re contributing to us all staying afloat!
I've felt similar for a few years now and have been trying to take Christmas "down a notch", if only to calm my mind. I decorate a bit around the house but don't have Christmas related things in every room of the house. I'm also going to keep my baking pared down - some sugar cookies (love your recipe with the marzipan), some almond cookies my boys love, and maybe the thumbprints that were a huge hit last year. I guess what I'm trying is to be more intentional. So far, so good.
I've been reading your posts every now and then since I discovered your blog like 10-12 years ago. I just wanted to share that I really appreciate your work. I was thinking to bake something from your book, but maybe I'll give this recipe a try instead! Have a good weekend! And the lego Adventskalender is pretty cool ;)
I'm with you, Luisa! I am very tired of the Christmas hype. I will make a couple batches of our usual cookies, we will have a small tree IF we can find one that isn't $100, I have ordered a very nice gift for a family member, and that is THAT. Hubby and I don't exchange gifts and we don't go to Christmas parties. It really seems like the hype is one BIG marketing tool and I/we are over it.
I’m so glad I found you through book club last year! You’ve inspired in many ways and have to give these cookies a go. I’m not baking nearly as much the past few years. We have started doing a more involved breakfast/brunch with our teen boys during their break several times and that’s been a nice change of pace.
Thank you for this! I have baked like crazy but otherwise am kind of ignoring the holiday season. I think we need to give ourselves the grace to feel what we feel and not force the Christmas spirit...
I love reading your letters. I always enjoyed your blog posts back in the day. Your life in Berlin and especially in Italy is fascinating. On the other hand I’m right into Christmas. Lots of lights and crèches from different countries around the the place bring me joy. My usually boring and neutral open living area is full of colour for one month of the year. I don’t do Christmas presents. I e-transfer all the kids and grandkids and they are thrilled. But I get your drift, sometimes the whole thing is exhausting.
Merry Christmas Luisa. I appreciate all the letters, recipes, and book recommendations. All are very inspiring. I just need more time in the day to read and cook. I look forward to your new cookbook in 2024 also. Please have a joyous Holiday Season. Being with family is the important thing. Everything else is just extra! Cheers, Susan
Thank you for this letter! So appreciate someone articulating this perspective, sometimes. And your caption for the very decorated cookies made me laugh out loud. Bonnes fêtes all the same!
I appreciate this recipe so much! Thank you. I think simplicity is the new holiday season. Stop and savor as much as possible with a little less doing.
Cara Luisa, Don't listen to the voice of condemnation. You write so well even when you're not trying. Yes we also feel behind but apparently everybody does too :-) These look delicious and easy, a good use for leftover almond paste from your bettmänchen! I have been thinking of you a lot this week since I made yet another brilliant gluten-free cake from Snacking Cakes after your recommendation - endlessly grateful.
Luisa, I am truly pained when I hear you dissing yourself! Your writing is GORgeous! Hopefully all these comments of how you have uplifted and inspired others will convince you. :-)
Yesterday I made the almond paste sugar cookie dough and I'll be baking them today. I will also bake your lebkuchen from the dough that's been resting in the basement for the last month.
My decorating will consist of white lights on the crab apple tree and my clay Lubeck tiles on the mantle with greenery. We will be visiting family via road trip to Delaware, Virginia and Georgia so will rely on their decorating prowess which is fine by me.
Dearest, lovely Luisa,
It’s a difficult year to be festive as there isn’t much good will among men. ❤️ to you.
Luisa, lovely cookies! Years ago you helped me find the recipe for my daughter's favorite german hot breakfast cereal, and we both remain grateful for that (and the recipe has a spot in our rotation). But I totally feel you on the Christmas stuff! This year I am living by myself in France (sabbatical), with the family arriving to celebrate together next week. My intention of decorating has not materialized into decorations, but I did find an old string of lights in my flat. That will just have to do - and I know I will find joy in my simple holiday.
An Amaryllis bouquet AND Christmas cookies, you are way ahead of me! I haven’t intentionally checked out, Christmas will come eventually and I’m looking forward to it, but it is still many, many weeks away, surely… These cookies sound very good.
I so hope it’s Domäne Dahlem you’re visiting! It’s still one of the most magical markets I think I’ve been to and just so cozy and wonderful. My favorite porcelain ceramicist usually vends there, and I’ve been so sad I can’t go in person.
I’m having a somewhat opposite experience this year and finding myself really *wanting* to lean into decorating as a way to fight through the current very grey burnout—I work in the humanitarian sector and the confluence of so many crises right now is horrific and overwhelming. I baked up your Lebkuchen this week after their long slumber in my cupboard, and they were very warmly enjoyed by my friends and colleagues in the office. One cookie at a time, you’re contributing to us all staying afloat!
I've felt similar for a few years now and have been trying to take Christmas "down a notch", if only to calm my mind. I decorate a bit around the house but don't have Christmas related things in every room of the house. I'm also going to keep my baking pared down - some sugar cookies (love your recipe with the marzipan), some almond cookies my boys love, and maybe the thumbprints that were a huge hit last year. I guess what I'm trying is to be more intentional. So far, so good.
Frohes Fest! 🎄
Dear Luisa,
I've been reading your posts every now and then since I discovered your blog like 10-12 years ago. I just wanted to share that I really appreciate your work. I was thinking to bake something from your book, but maybe I'll give this recipe a try instead! Have a good weekend! And the lego Adventskalender is pretty cool ;)
I'm with you, Luisa! I am very tired of the Christmas hype. I will make a couple batches of our usual cookies, we will have a small tree IF we can find one that isn't $100, I have ordered a very nice gift for a family member, and that is THAT. Hubby and I don't exchange gifts and we don't go to Christmas parties. It really seems like the hype is one BIG marketing tool and I/we are over it.
I’m so glad I found you through book club last year! You’ve inspired in many ways and have to give these cookies a go. I’m not baking nearly as much the past few years. We have started doing a more involved breakfast/brunch with our teen boys during their break several times and that’s been a nice change of pace.
Thank you for this! I have baked like crazy but otherwise am kind of ignoring the holiday season. I think we need to give ourselves the grace to feel what we feel and not force the Christmas spirit...
Merry Christmas. I wrote a longer post but it disappeared into the ether. Keep writing
I love reading your letters. I always enjoyed your blog posts back in the day. Your life in Berlin and especially in Italy is fascinating. On the other hand I’m right into Christmas. Lots of lights and crèches from different countries around the the place bring me joy. My usually boring and neutral open living area is full of colour for one month of the year. I don’t do Christmas presents. I e-transfer all the kids and grandkids and they are thrilled. But I get your drift, sometimes the whole thing is exhausting.
PS I found this lost post.lol
Merry Christmas Luisa. I appreciate all the letters, recipes, and book recommendations. All are very inspiring. I just need more time in the day to read and cook. I look forward to your new cookbook in 2024 also. Please have a joyous Holiday Season. Being with family is the important thing. Everything else is just extra! Cheers, Susan
Thank you for this letter! So appreciate someone articulating this perspective, sometimes. And your caption for the very decorated cookies made me laugh out loud. Bonnes fêtes all the same!
I appreciate this recipe so much! Thank you. I think simplicity is the new holiday season. Stop and savor as much as possible with a little less doing.
Cara Luisa, Don't listen to the voice of condemnation. You write so well even when you're not trying. Yes we also feel behind but apparently everybody does too :-) These look delicious and easy, a good use for leftover almond paste from your bettmänchen! I have been thinking of you a lot this week since I made yet another brilliant gluten-free cake from Snacking Cakes after your recommendation - endlessly grateful.
Luisa, I am truly pained when I hear you dissing yourself! Your writing is GORgeous! Hopefully all these comments of how you have uplifted and inspired others will convince you. :-)
Yesterday I made the almond paste sugar cookie dough and I'll be baking them today. I will also bake your lebkuchen from the dough that's been resting in the basement for the last month.
My decorating will consist of white lights on the crab apple tree and my clay Lubeck tiles on the mantle with greenery. We will be visiting family via road trip to Delaware, Virginia and Georgia so will rely on their decorating prowess which is fine by me.