Hi Robin!

We just had our fourth cookie exchange! (Our third was canceled VERY last minute due to five ear infections and bronchiolitis- all from RSV.) This year's party was a great success! We had ladies who went all out with their cookies and took great pride in their work! We started "themed" exchanges and for this year it was "Childhood Holiday Memories".

Each person was asked to bring a cookie either from a great holiday memory. Some used a old family recipe like "Susan's Great Aunt Lola's Sugar Cookies", and Ashley's "Mother's Sugar Cookie Candy Cane Cookies". Others made recipes that they have been wanting to try out "Melissa's Meringue Snowflake Cookies", and Laurie's "Peanut Butter Thumbprints"- all gorgeous cookies. We had several sugar cookies, but ALL were different which made it so neat!!!

There were 14 participants, not including the cancelations we had as well. All the women: Deb, Lisa, Kim, Dala, Judy, Ashley, Melissa, Andria, Susan, Laurie, Pam, Andi, and Kirsten did a great job coming up with some great cookies and beautiful presentations!

Lisa Bare and Andria Kempf were the winners for Best Dressed, Most Original, and Most Creative Display Cookies. Melissa Misic, Deb Seitzenger, and Lisa Bare also took second place in the same categories, just different orders!

For appetizers we had: Spinach dip and chips, bbq meatballs, and spirals.

Thank you Robin for a wonderful website that is full of ideas for great parties!

Brandie Tryban