I took the day off with Papa Elf, from producing Lavender Products, and also packing up web orders for our customers. We went to a local Bazaar at the HR County Fairgrounds, called Last Chance Christmas Bazaar. In past years we’ve participated in this local Arts & Craft event, but this year we chose to take a break. Many of the vendors are friends of ours, including the ladies that run the “Special Olympics” booth. I purchased a pack of 10 sweet Christmas Cards, hand painted by the Special Olympic Athletes. 

I also purchased several bags of their handmade Chex Mix, since I don’t have that on my to do list! After shopping, I visited my neighbors with Christmas cards and a plate of homemade cookies, Five Spice Lavender Shortbread & Coconut Lavender Balls.  If you love christmas spices, and coconut & Lavender as much as I do, then you’ll love these recipes.

Five Spice Shortbread

This recipe is from Ming Tsai ( I add this to my Lavender Shortbread recipe, without the “Mint”)

2 teaspoons ground ginger

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoons ground cardamom

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon ground star anise

1/4 cup turbinado or other granulated sugar

1 chilled log of Lavender Shortbread cookie dough.

-Preheat the oven to 325’F. In a small bowl, combine the ginger, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and sugar.

-Cut the chilled log into  1/2″ rounds.  Dip one cut surface of each round into the spice mixture and arrange the rounds 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.

-Bake until golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes.  Remove the cookies with a spatula and cool.

I hope you enjoy preparing for a very Merry & Calm holiday!