Third Annual Westhaven Cookie Exchange

Today marked our neighborhood's Third Annual Cookie Exchange. The invite promised it would "build community, one cookie at a time." I couldn't agree more!

"I live on Jewel Street, too! We're neighbors!"
"My dad is also Swedish. Thank you for bringing a cookie that reminds me of my childhood!"
"These cookies taste like my favorite mint chocolate chip ice cream. I renamed them Grinch cookies."
"My parents' Amish neighbors made these."
"The instructions said to make sure we didn't bring burnt cookies to the exchange. To be safe, I made these no bake cookies."

This year, we had 19 participants who each brought at least 6 dozen cookies of one kind. As a result, we each left with around 4 cookies of the different varieties. It always amazes me that there are no duplicates.

I made red velvet cookies - my "go-to" recipe for a cookie exchange. My family thinks they're delicious. As the baker, I like the fact that they're easy, fast, and festive looking, too.

Red Velvet Cookies - KK Moore

Here are the other wonderful varieties (in no particular order).

Cinnamon Cookies - Sadira Ebert

Holiday Candy Fudge Bars - Terri Stilwell

Chocolate Peppermint Sandwiches - Mandy Genovese

Amish Sugar Cookies - Genie Thompson

Sand Tarts - Ann Biron

Texas Chocolate Chip - Danette Peltier

Pepparkako Swedish Ginger Cookies - Barbara Wetzell

Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookies - Mary Grindstaff

Congo Squares - Bonnie Cockrill

Coconut Chocolate Blossoms - Heather Brousseau

Peanut Butter Sensations - Shari Lacy

Toffee Bites - Andrea Joki

Grinch Cookies - Lara Travis

Double Chocolate Chip Peppermint - Holly Picciurro

Vanilla Nut Cookies - Leila Sanders

Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chip - Jessica Schneller

Lemon Cream Cheese Cookies - Jennifer Scoggins

Cowboy Cookies - Cindy Poe

 Thanks to Sadira Ebert for spearheading this event!

Bacon Crackers

One of my favorite holiday events I look forward to now is Margaret Ann and Nancy's My Favorite Things party. My first invite was several years ago when we were new to the neighborhood. Until then, I was only used to "Secret Santa" and/or the traditional "White Elephant" exchange of presents. This is something quite different:

To begin, each person chooses one of her favorite things and brings 3 of them individually wrapped to the party. It may be a cosmetic, cleaning product, piece of clothing, food item, etc. Three years ago, the price limit was $8 or less that made it a little more challenging for some. Not me. It took no time at all for me to select Flylady's rubba scrubba. In fact, I love these so much that all of my extended family received one for Christmas previously. Last year, the limit was raised to $10. I was able to choose a collection of spices from The Savory Spice Shop, one of my favorite stores in downtown Franklin. This year, the limit was raised to $11. My gift this year was a jar of pickled okra that Keely and I made this summer that has become a new favorite side for us. It has replaced the typical pickle when I have a sandwich, and we also use them on a charcuterie tray. Since Keely enjoys them as a garnish in Bloody Marys, she also suggested I include a Bloody Mary mix (from my favorite Savory Spice Shop) and a small bottle of vodka.

As you enter the party, you are given a number. Mine last night happened to be #6. As a result, I placed a little sticker with #6 on it on top of each of the three presents I brought and placed them under the tree.

Next up: Enjoy conversations with friends, old and new, while enjoying a variety of appetizers and desserts. I was asked to bring an appetizer, which is typically quite challenging for me. Working out of town on business on the same day brought an additional challenge. I needed something good, but also something quick and easy. I made bacon crackers for the first time and oh, they were a hit! I will definitely be making them again. Steve loved them, too. Perfect for game day or poker night.

Now for the presents. Each party-goer heads to the tree to randomly choose 3 different presents for herself. Starting with the person who was given #1, ask for the three people who selected that gift. The person who brought that gift stands up and explains why it is one of her favorite things.  I wasn't able to capture everything, but here are some of the favorite things from last night (in no particular order):

• Bangle made from tusks from a trip to Kenya (won prize for "best overall")

• GreatNeck gold 5-in-1 hammer and screwdriver set (won prize for "most functional")

• Tennessee/heart ornament
• Poncho
• Adult coloring book/markers
• Kiehl's Creme de Corps body moisturizer
• Borsari seasoned salt - orange ginger blend
• Lounge pants (from Costco)
• Chips and salsa
• Downy Unstopables and eye mask
• Marble coasters (from TJMaxx)
• Wireless shower speaker
• O'Keeffe's Working Hands hand cream
• Snyder's of Hanover Pretzel Dips
• "Oops" bag filled with emergency items
• Swiftwick Aspire Zero socks
• Thumbprint cookies from Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop
• Anthropologie candle
• Kate Spade coffee mug
• Fresh Gourmet Parmesan Cheese Crisps
• Soberdough beer bread mix 
• Wine glass writer metallic pen 
• Poo-pourri
• Pre de Provence bath soap
• White Barn Mahogany Teakwood candle
• Canning jar
• Butter dish crock keeper 
• Popsocket iphone stand 
• Movie ticket and box of Junior Mints
• 1818 Farms Lavender Shea Crem

Such a great way to get ideas for stocking stuffers! And, I got to go home with three brand new favorite things. Score!

Bacon Crackers

Ingredients:

• Townhouse butter crackers
• 1 (16 oz) package of bacon
• brown sugar
• cayenne pepper

Directions:
Place crackers on a wire rack set on a cookie sheet that has been lined with aluminum foil. Top with bacon. (I sliced each bacon strip into sixths. Next time, I'll probably cut them into fifths.) Sprinkle a generous amount of brown sugar on top of bacon. Lightly sprinkle with cayenne pepper. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Recipe adapted from Debbie Doo's.

Aloha!

It has been almost three years since we've been on a major vacation. Last time, I was the one who was especially spoiled as we celebrated my 50th birthday in Europe. This trip was going to be Steve's turn. As a young enlisted man in the early 70's, he was one of a very lucky group of three who were ordered to serve in Hawaii while the rest of his platoon was sent to Vietnam. With top secret clearance, Steve spent his days in a hidden bunker decoding secret messages between the States and Vietnam. You would typically find him on Waikiki Beach during off hours. I couldn't wait to see his old stomping grounds. In fact, it's been on my bucket list (#54) for decades.

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Our flight left Nashville at 6:00 am. Although we landed in Honolulu at 2:00 pm, it was a long day of travel given a four hour time change. The Ritz Carlton, with its impeccable service, served as our home for the next five nights. What a treat! Keely had arranged for a patriotic welcome including a charcuterie tray and treats upon arrival. Her planning skills are such a blessing! We got settled in our room and then enjoyed a casual dinner by the infinity resort pool. As Waikiki Beach's highest pool, we had a magnificent view of the ocean as we relaxed in the adjacent hot tub afterwards. 

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Our hotel was a very short walk to the beach. We spent all morning and most of the afternoon enjoying the perfect weather with no other definitive plans for the day. So relaxing!

For dinner, Keely had made us reservations to Sky Waikiki, a roof top restaurant and lounge offering amazing views of the city as well as live music. It was the perfect place to watch the sunset.

Friday, November 11, 2016 (Veterans Day)

Seeing Pearl Harbor on Veterans Day was at the top of our list for this trip. Such a moving experience. We first watched a documentary film on the history of Pearl Harbor, then boarded a shuttle boat to see the USS Arizona Memorial. I didn't realize it was built over the actual sunken battleship. Knowing that the remains of over 1000 crewmen were directly below us was very emotional. This was where World War II began for the US 75 years ago, and the country became very united for the cause. How I wish for a more united country these days.

Afterwards, we got tickets to watch Kansas play Indiana in the Armed Forces Classic at the University of Hawaii. That's right. We went to Hawaii to unexpectedly watch a basketball game. Steve was in heaven and actually there wasn't a better way we could have spoiled or honored him on this day.

Saturday, November 12, 2016

Keely and I began the day hiking to the top of Diamond Head. Such breathtaking views! 

This was another perfect day of no plans other than the three of us enjoying the beach. While Keely and I enjoyed lounging by the pool afterwards, she learned about Orchids serving afternoon tea. This was one of our favorite experiences in London, so we capitalized on the opportunity. Ready and out the door in minutes, we treated ourselves to a variety of petite sandwiches, scones, and pastries. What a wonderful surprise!

Sunday, November 13, 2016

Our last day on the island. Make it count. What better way than to go zip lining where Jurassic Park was filmed! This was a first for all of us and definitely one of the highlights of our trip. 

Afterwards, we enjoyed the "best brunch on the island" at Orchids, the same place we had afternoon tea the day before. Typically needing reservations months in advance, Keely took care of this detail, too. What a perfect meal. 

Next up: continue the spoiling with a spa treatment. I sure could get used to this. Our last night was spent around the outdoor fire table watching the sunset with a casual meal poolside then topped off with a viewing of the closest and brightest supermoon in 68 years. Seriously? As if it was meant to be.

Monday, November 14, 2016
We prepared for a full day of travel as we left Honolulu at 8:00 am and landed in Nashville at 11:00 pm. Before we left on this trip, I said more than once it would likely be my one and only trip to Hawaii. After this experience, though, it will be hard to never return. Aloha!