21 December 2010

Cookies, Cookies EVERYWHERE

Last week, I went to my very first cookie exchange. I have concluded that I am surely the only person in the entire country who had never attended one of these gala events. This cookie exchange was for the great people who work at Memory Bound. Not only are they creative...but they can BAKE, too!

I've never gone to our cookie exchange because 1) the date hasn't worked for me and 2) I generally don't like to have that many cookies in the house. (Even when they're frozen, I can't stay out of them!) But this year, since Daughter will be having lots of kids around over break, I thought it might be okay to have a few snacks on hand -- something more than a jar of mayonnaise and package of Ramen noodles.

ANYWAY, I was told to bring along 4 dozen of the same kind of cookie and a large container for cookies to take home. Of course, I only got half of that equation right and forgot my container. But no worries...our gracious hostess Pat had extra trays for people like me!

After placing all the treats on display, we went 'round and 'round the table collecting cookies to take home. For someone like me, it was dizzying AND overwhelming! Other than at the grocery store or a bakery, I had never seen so many cookies in one place!

I came home with this delectable assortment of goodies! Imagine ME -- with this many cookies in the house!

I took 4 dozen gingerbread cookies to the exchange. I had never made 4 dozen of ANYTHING and had no idea how many gingerbread cookies I could make with one batch, so I whipped up two batches and ended up with easily 6 or 7 dozen smallish cookies. YIKES!

After the cookie exchange, I froze most of the remaining gingerbread cookies, gave some away, ate quite a few, and then boxed up some in a small container for a gift. These clear boxes are available at Memory Bound. This particular size is designed for a cupcake but also holds a nice number of cookies. Rarely do I make anything edible that is fit to display in a clear box, so this in itself was preeeety exciting, I tell you!

A couple of nights ago, we had a house full of kids so (feeling rather SMUG), I casually filled a festive plate with some of the treats from the cookie exchange. Before I knew it, they were gone! Daughter told me later she wondered where they had come from.

"Oh, I knew YOU hadn't made them," she said matter-of-factly. She knows me well. :)

3 comments:

Jill said...

That last comment reminds me of a time when my gal asked me mid-bite, "Where did this lemon bar come from?" I was all, "I MADE IT!!!!!! Didn't you notice me grating the lemon rind?!?!? Where did you THINK it came from?!?" Well, she thought one of my students had given it to me, like most of the treats in our house!

This year I missed the cookie exchange I usually go to because of my boy's bar mitzvah. But it's probably for the best - I can't stay out of them either.

Very pretty on the gingerbread display cookies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Benita said...

Nope, you're not the only one that has never done a cookie exchange before, but now since you've gone to one, I guess I'm the only one that hasn't, lol. Those cookies look YUMMY!!! I haven't even thought about baking yet....too much stress going on right now!

Hope you & your family have a very Merry Christmas & enjoy your time with your daughter :)

ces said...

I can't bake either. :( I wish I can because I'd love to give away yummy goodies this Christmas... :D