5th Annual Cookie and Ornament Exchange

I am a wee bit behind the eight ball on this year's celebration.  I somehow booked another family event on the same weekend and then had to make a switch.  Fortunately, almost everyone was able to make the switch with me.  Once the date is out, the next task is to start in on the craft ornament.  I have spotted one that I think will work and use many of the supplies I already have on hand.  Only time will tell. What do you think?

10/22 - It's time to start thinking about this party.  I've started to round up all the necessary things.  Cut out cookies are my choice this year and I'm trying to find out just what needs to be bought for them as well as for the craft.

10/29 - I guess that once a week this crosses my mind.   Today, I decide to work on the craft project and take as many different cookie cutters as I can to find the right sizes.  Once I think I've hit on it, I cut a few patterns out and get to work.  Things don't go very well and a harsh lesson is learned.  I've decided to order some Fabric Fusion glue and see if that works better than hot glue.

11/26 - It's been a bit of a whirlwind the last month and I'm finally able to get back to this.  I've cut out some templates from plastic and drawn the hearts onto felt for each person to cut out.  All that is left is to make my sample.

12/7 -   Mister is at Jury duty today and I have the house to myself as I go from project to project trying to mark things off the list.  First up is the ornament.  The Fabric Fusion didn't work, but some tender care with the hot glue did.  This will do just fine.

12/9 - With the party only 3 days away, it's time to bake the cookies.  I'm trying a whole new recipe in addition to learning how to color flow decorate.  Isn't that the best way?  Try things out at major events?  The first few times I roll out the dough - it's a bit too thin.  A slightly larger set of bands on the rolling pin and I'm good to go.  Let's crank these out.

About 5 hours later ---- I have a table full of cookies.  Seventeen dozen to be precise.

12/10 - Oh my -- where to start.  Since the table is out for the party, I set it up and make myself comfortable --- 

Gilmore Girls on the television and me with my cookies --- for ELEVEN hours.

I'm not sure how it happened, but after Mister finished work, he settle in to help.  First the candy canes and then he moved to the table with me and worked on the snowflakes as well.  I cannot tell you how grateful I was.

By the time I finished, I was a sticky mess and really had a disaster in the kitchen, but the cookies look oh so good.  I have to admit, I'm kinda proud to hand these out.

12/11 - Oh goodness - It's getting close now.  I have Kelly and Jen arriving tonight so hurry, hurry is in motion.  Table decoration, Mister helping me get the recipes printed, boxing cookies, prepping food, cleaning house, you name it.

I'm a regular Energizer Bunny today and I'm worried I'll pay for it tomorrow, but it all looks great and I'm excited to see friends.  I don't know why it always seems so long at this time of year, but it does.  I mean, it's only been three weeks for many of us.  Silly women.

The sunset is beautiful tonight and shortly after dark arrives, so do Kelly and Jen (and my grandson, Jon).

Dinner out at Cane Rosso before the madness begins.  When we returned home, I mixed up a couple batches of uncooperative cinnamon rolls AND made and baked a pavlova.  It'll be a short night.

12/12 - I am up with the chickens, as they say.  Quietly working in the kitchen for a couple of hours, I have the cinnamon rolls on their second rise, foods prepped and ready to go, and am waiting for people to wake before I make too much noise.  Once Kelly and Jen are up ---- they are such an immense help to me.  I truly would not know how to get this all done without them AND my sweetheart who somehow always takes care of the things I forget.

Cinnamon rolls are done along with the pavlova.

And then, before I know it, it's time.  Friends arrive and spend some time catching up with each other while we do the last minute touches to our meal.

The sample table has goodies on it and several have brought decorated notebooks.  Woo hoo.

The table is ready and someone has even claimed their spot already.  Hahahaha.

Breakfast is cinnamon rolls, bacon, fruit/dip . . 

Artichoke fritatta and scrambled eggs.  For the first time, we're using the kitchen to pick up food as opposed to the buffet table in the dining room.  I thinks it's better -- much more room.

Smile everyone ---- 

After brunch, the dishes are cleared and the craft supplies come out.  It's time to make the ornaments.

While everyone is working, I get a chance to take a few pics around the room.  Somehow this is the part that is easily forgotten and then I am so sad.  Not this year. 

Ornament exchange gift bags to cookies ready to exchange.  Everyone work really hard on all of this.  It is so fun to just watch the creativity as each person works on their own unique interpretation of the ornament.  Lots of ribbons, pearls, and other decoration has been provided for them.  I love the talk and laughter and then moments of silence as concentration hits a high level.  I remember telling them all that I do this each year for me.  What I neglect to explain is that by saying "for me," I mean that I do it so that I can give back something to each of my friends.  They all bless me so very much each year and this is my chance to do something nice for them as a small measure of my gratitude.

When the projects are complete, it's time for the ornament exchange and the usual laughter over Mrs. Wright's story and our inability to follow directions ensues.  Love and laughter always wins.

Ornament exchange receipts - Stephannie

Lori and Sam

Jen and Kelly

Gwen

Frieda and Paula

And mine --- whoohoo

We try for a group picture so show our ornaments, but it is a dismal failure.  I WILL figure out a better way next year.

Awards for completed notebooks go to:

Sam and Jen

And just like that --- it is over.  My takings for the exchange and then the stuff I have to work with for making cookie trays.  It was a great party and I had such fun.  Until next year, I love y'all and treasure each and every one of you --- to the moon and back.