This post is my humble attempt to pay tribute and extend appreciation to all the veterans and current military for their sacrifice and service to our country. This is a photo of my dad as a sailor:) He’s a member of the “greatest generation” and served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. I’m happy that he will be in my home for Thanksgiving so that I can show him this post and thank him in person. He will also be able to refresh my memory regarding the details of his service. Thanks, Dad! I love you. XOXO
The Soldier
It is the soldier, not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,
who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier, not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves under the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
who allows the protester to burn the flag.
By Father Dennis Edward O’Brien, USMC
Of course my dad was given top billing today, but I had to whip up something sweet to honor the military on this Veteran’s Day. Last week I came upon some Polka Dot Cookies(originally from Betty Crocker) on Tina’s fabulous blog “Mommy’s Kitchen” and thought they would be easy to transform into a patriotic treat.I was right. It seems everything looks sharp in red, white and blue. I had a huge bag of m&m’s and had to pick out some blue and red ones for the cookies. (I should have also picked out some green ones, and made half the cookies red and green to store in the freezer for Christmas!) I also added a handful of white chocolate chips into the mix. You can’t pay tribute to the red, white and blue without the white:) 
Polka Dot Cookies
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup butter or margarine, softened (2 sticks)
1 cup shortening
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 eggs
3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups candy-coated chocolate candies (m&m s) (I added a little less and supplemented with the white chocolate chips.)
Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, beat sugars, butter, shortening, vanilla and eggs with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon, until well blended. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt. Stir in candies. Drop dough by 1/4 cupfuls about 3 inches apart onto ungreased large cookie sheet. Bake 12 to 16 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 3 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.
These cookies are delicious and do look patriotic:) Of course you can add different colored m&m’s to fit any holiday. The Polka Dot cookies definitely have a classic “crowd pleaser” taste and appeal!
Happy Veteran’s Day!
This post is linked up with: Lovin’ it Fridays
