Four generations of cookie baking
SIX POINTS —The holidays are filled with traditions and memories for so many families. Christmas cookie baking is one tradition that is often carried on.
Four generations of Melissa Tiron's family gathered for several years before her grandmother passed away in 2018 to celebrate the heritage of baking and to engage in a culture of love and laughter.
“I remember being about 7 or 8 when I started baking with Grandma Courson (Carol) who lived in Parker,” said Tiron.
“My mother was a great cook, but not much of a baker. I am fortunate enough to have inherited Grandma's recipe book which was a little book I bought her at a Santa Shop when I was in elementary school. My grandma was my best friend,” Tiron fondly remembered.
Tiron said her grandmother was affectionately known as “Mom” throughout her community. She added Grandma Courson is still fondly remembered for her generosity and kindness to everyone.
Tiron now has five children of her own: Kylee Cutwright, 16; Emma Tiron, 12; Evan Tiron, 11; Madison Tiron, 9; and Chase Tiron, 5.
Kylee's favorite class at school is her family and consumer science class because of the culinary influences of her great-grandmother, grandmother and mother.
Kylee said, “When I was little, I can remember the table full of orange, fruit cocktail and pumpkin cookies.”
Tiron said when Kylee was little, her Maw Maw had a special apron and a stool for Kylee to sit on while they would bake together. Kylee now shares the baking responsibilities with her mother and does a good bit of the holiday cooking as well.
“Grandma preferred we stay out of the kitchen when she cooked holiday meals. She was very much in control of her domain, but I appreciate that Kylee and Emma are willing to help and do what they can,” said Tiron.
“I like having the extra hands. Baking was something we shared with Grandma and continue to do now that she is gone,” Tiron said.
Tiron's daughter Emma usually waits to join in when it is time to frost over nine dozen orange cookies and said her favorite part of the Christmas cookie tradition is just spending time with her mother and laughing with the family. The boys and Madison also prefer to wait for frosting time.While Evan and Madison are learning to be more precise and master the art of frosting, 5-year-old Chase usually ends up with frosting in his hair, on his clothes and somehow manages to get icing on everyone else, too.There are some challenges as they bake their delicious treats. Tiron said, “It is difficult to keep little fingers out of the frosting and from sneaking a few cookies, but the greatest challenge is Kylee's Type 1 diabetes.”Kylee takes insulin each day, monitors her sugar levels often throughout the day, and admits it is a struggle to get through the holidays with so many temptations.Her mother said they make some adjustments by baking small batches of cookies with sugar substitutes, but even with that, Kylee has a difficult time.Kylee said, “I have always been very open about my diabetes. If I can help someone feel as if they are not alone in the struggle, it is worth talking about.”The family will use some of the orange cookies that were recently made for Thanksgiving and freeze the others to share with family, friends and neighbors at Christmas.Tiron said, “The orange cookies are our favorite throughout the holiday season. Closer to Christmas, we will add other kinds when we begin baking again. We usually add pies and cakes too.”Grandma Courson's family now gathers at Melissa Tiron's home in Six Points for the holidays.Tiron said, “Each year, we add to the memories. I love that I get to share the stories my grandmother shared with me to my children and their cousins. We share pictures and tell stories of great times. Someday, I know they will have wonderful memories to share, too.”
