Thursday 10 December 2009

Cookie Exchange


A very lovely English friend of mine invited a bunch of us girls to a Cookie Exchange on Tuesday evening. It's the second year she has put this special event on, but my first time going.
I really didn't know what to expect as I'd never heard of one before. Well, what a treat it was!

We were instructed to make up twelve bags with five cookies in each bag. Well that all seemed OK until you do the calculations and discover just how many trays of cookies this is!! Luckily my dear husband had bought me a new non-stick baking tray for my birthday and Gran had given me one a few weeks before.

It was like a small factory in my kitchen that morning. Little No.4 was most interested and very helpful with a few of the smarties (lollies). She was very accurate and did just as I instructed, the little poppet. I have to say bundling the gingerbread angels up into cellophane was a bit tricky and they looked a little on the small side too.

And this is what I found on my arrival at G's house...

Massive cranberry and white chocolate cookies bagged up with the most beautiful bows and nicely set in a basket!! Don't mine look dinky now?!! Not to worry, they weren't all this fancy and next time (hope I'm invited back!!) I'll outdo myself.

So at the end of the evening, after nibbling sample cookies and mulled wine (Mmmm scrummy) we each went around and collected a bag of each cookie. Well you can imagine how happy we were leaving with so many lovely little gifts in our containers. They did look so lovely and Christmassy too.

The girls were mighty pleased with the cookie selection the next morning. They each chose one cookie for their lunchboxes and went off to school/kindy with smiles on their faces. It's not often that good around here as far as good food goes!

Now see these soft little delights? Well I can happily tell you that they are now squashed into seven jars and feeling a bit jammy. Yes I have made jam! And I am very proud of my efforts too! I'm now very eager to make some strawberry jam and fruit salad jam before Christmas. On top of various other kitchen delights too. Hope the time doesn't run out on me!

How are your preparations going? It's difficult to fit in all the shopping with all the other commitments to isn't it? We have end of year assemblies, parties, zoo outings, and all those jolly take-a-plate things which are really starting to do my head in! Oh it will be so nice when the relaxing on the floor with a jigsaw, a mince tart and cup of tea days arrive.
By the way the weather this week has been middle of summer kind of stuff. It was about 29 degrees here this afternoon. The ground is boiling hot and the feeling summer brings is just so exciting. You know what is really getting me going? Hmmm, bet you can't guess? It's hanging the washing on the line and not having to miss every second line because you know it will all be dry in about an hour. Oh it's all about the little things in life!

18 comments:

Michela said...

Oh naughty lady! Apricots in December! I bet those angels were delicious..

Nadine said...

Cookie exchange, what a cool idea. I think I might try that here with some friends! Gosh, I can relate to your frantic busyness, arg, feel completely overwhelmed most of the time! love Nadine x

Serenata said...

What a lovely idea. Funny thing though I came home with some vintage cookie cutters yesterday from my friend who has the antique shop!

As to my Christmas preparations... I did make some snowflake bunting last night!

Heleen said...

What a great idea! that sounds like so much fun! and to see all those yummie coockies... just lovely!

Floss said...

I absolutely adored the only Cookie Exchange I went to - much like yours, from the sound of it. It was such a good way of having a full freezer of cookies for the festive season. I took my Traditional Ginger Biscuits, of course - that's why I already had the recipe typed out! Yours look really cute.

Lululiz said...

Sounds like a brilliant idea. Mind you, I would need to go on a diet for a year after that, because I just wouldn't be able to restrict myself to just nibbling one or two biscuits a day.
How many biscuits do you have left???

Unknown said...

Cookie Exchanges are a normal event here. We get together with neighbors and share our yummie wealth. Looks like a great start for you all. Isn't it fun to have such a delish mix now.

Sarah - Red Gingham said...

Floss I was going to take the ginger biscuits but then decided to make something for the children. Next time maybe. And Liz there were only one type of biscuit I could eat and there are still some left thank you! Still plenty of the others too as the girls are only havine one a day, they are too busy having ice blocks at the moment. It really is hot!

Lace hearts said...

What a fabulous idea... I'll have to try and organize one at some point. I love the look of your pretty little angels.

Croap Queen said...

What a lovely idea and a perfect excuse for some mulled wine :-)
A certain Granny L has a friend in France who makes THE most delicious Dutch biscuits. I've attempted several times to get her to steal the recipe but she's failed miserably. Far too much time lounging about in her slippers and crocheting blankets I reckon.
Do you think she'll read this? That's me in trouble again.
Jo x

Sarah - Red Gingham said...

Oh you are so in trouble! I'm doing my very best to be very sincere to her right now. Dearest Liz probably doesn't enjoy those biscuits as much as yourself quite clearly. And she is truely gifted with the crochet hook, is she not?

Doreen Frost said...

I love cookie exchanges....and the holidays and all the wonderful festivities this time of year. I have a cookie bake & exchange coming up on December 19th :)it's such fun. I'm planning my list now and getting things ready.

Enjoy your day,
DOreen

Anonymous said...

Cookie exchange! What a great idea! I've never heard something like this before.I think I'll speak about this to my friends and next year we'll organise one ,too here in our village.
Your ginger angels look fantastic and delicious!
hugs:Manka

roseroomnz.com said...

never been to a cookie exchange but a very cool idea! my head is already done in with Christmas,I love it but oh the lead up can be a little stressful! And yes, loving the heat and dry washing! Rachaelxo

Pomona said...

I think that looks like a wonderful idea for a party - love your little angels, too! Seven degrees here, raining, my feet are cold - house festooned with damp washing, and not knowing where to hang the next lot!

Pomona x

. said...

I love the angel cookies...they'd look awesome on a tree too!
x

sweet emmelie said...

oh my god look at all that baking goodness!!! all looks simply devine!

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