2025 Cookie Exchange...

l-r (Adults Only) Stephanie, Diana, Alexandria, Cassie and Donna

Another successful Cookie Exchange in the record book. Our group was small this year, but that didn't keep us from having a grand time. Stephanie is our annual hostess, and she goes out of her way to have a lovely snack spread, games (and prizes!), and fine company. 

We suspect the weather (-20º F wind chill) may have had something to do with the turnout, but we didn't mind. We're all related! Of course, you will recognize Diana's name (my sister). Steph is her daughter, Alex is Di's daughter-in-law, Cassie is Alex's sister, and those two sweet girls in front are Alex's twin daughters. When it's family, there is always conversation, and we spent some of our visit catching up.

Top Left - Clockwise: Diana's chocolate offerings, Alex's Molasses Cookies, Steph's Pizelles, Cassie's Date Cookies, Twins' Cutout Cookies, and my Koulourakia Cookies.

Diana was the overachiever this year. She brought hot cocoa mix, chocolate marshmallow cookies, chocolate truffles and chocolate no-bake cookies. Alexandria made delicious molasses cookies. Stephanie had time to make cookies, even though she made bbq cocktail sausages and a fabulous charcuterie tray. Cassie made a date cookie recipe that came from her fiancee's mom, carrying on the family tradition. The twins contributed two trays of decorated cutout cookies, and I made our favorite Koulourakia twists, which became a holiday tradition when we lived in Florida. My Panera's group friend, Kathy made them every year, and graciously shared the recipe with me when we moved.

Snacks for the attendees

Everyone brought a dish to share, so we had offerings on the charcuterie tray, shrimp, smoked fish, ham roll-ups, and a non-alcoholic beverage (with the option to add champagne). I stayed n/a. I took a salad that's a family favorite that has a sauteed mixture of water chestnuts, ramen noodles, green onions, mushrooms, slivered almonds, and sesame seeds over Romaine lettuce. The dressing is a sweet and sour sauce.

The Giving Plate

Diana brought The Giving Plates in two patterns, and gave one to each of us. She mentioned that we weren't required to give them away, so I'll probably keep mine at least for this season. Next year I'll load it with cookies to share.

So, that was my Sunday. Cold outside, but happy and warm inside with people I love. Handsome is out from under his nasty cold, so that's a blessing, too. I'll be busy in the studio again this week. I'll tell you tomorrow about the jammies.