Hi, Robin: Another wonderful year of spectacular cookies, good friends and family and lots of laughter to continue the Christmas and Hanukkah celebrating.

I was fortunate to have over 40 people attend my cookie exchange this year; quite a feat considering mine is always held on the 22nd of December (to remember my cookie-baking mentor...my Mom) and many were already traveling to visit relatives since schools let out the Friday before.

Anyway, the die-hards were there, beautiful cookie displays in hand, and ready for a fun night of eating, drinking, laughing and cookie-swapping. This year, I made several appetizers (do Cosmopolitans and Bourbon Slushes fit into this category?) and everyone brought something to share.

The appetizer tables were just as spectacular as the cookie displays and there was simply more food than we could eat. The party began at 6:30 p.m. and people were still drinking and eating after midnight -- a good indicator of a successful party : ) I sent everyone home with a CD of recipes and people were already talking about "next year."

All the best in 2009,
Samantha Kieley