Several years ago, I bought a packaged mix to make dog cookies. It contained a bag of dry ingredients to which you added peanut butter, eggs, and water. They were fun to make and the dogs loved them. Of course, the next time I went to buy the mix, it was no longer available. So I spent a few weeks trying other recipes, looking for one to match the one my little pooches liked best. I finally found this one on the King Arthur Flour website. It is so similar that it could have been the inspiration for the mix!

Easter came even though we were hidden away. Easter came even though there were no hymns to celebrate its arrival. Easter came in spite of the mandate to keep our distance. And to bring joy to me and mine, I made cutout cookies by the dozens in shapes that remind me of life’s glory and abundance ... butterflies, eggs, bunnies, crosses, flowers, sheep, carrots (yes, carrots!). In spite of the craziness of our current situation, I sent out dozens of cheerful sugar cookies as sweet messengers of hope to those I love.

Feeling out of sorts these days? Know someone who could use a hug? Time for the ultimate comfort food: Trail Mix Cookies. They’re crispy on the edges, chewy on the inside and full of nuts and dried cranberries. They have a buttery, brown-sugar flavor that feels like a bear hug from your favorite person. My dad is that person for me. Who is your best hugger?