9th Annual Westhaven Cookie Swap

Although the crowd was smaller than usual, 9 of us enjoyed exchanging cookies at the Ninth Annual Westhaven Cookie Swap this past Sunday. We each brought 6 dozen cookies of one kind to share. Even with a small group, each of us ended up with a wonderful variety! During the pandemic, each participant individually wrapped each cookie for a responsible and safe event. We continued that process change given its popularity. Such a great way to build community and simplify my holiday baking!

9 Different Varieties!

Ninth Annual Westhaven Cookie Swap (2022)

I made something new this year. Years ago, I had saved a recipe for Orange Coconut Snowballs. Since "my blood runneth orange," I made these in honor of UT's great football season this year. They're super easy to make, and there is no baking involved. I loved them!

Orange Coconut Snowballs

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

Small Batch Almond Joy Cookies
(Leave out the almonds for a delicious Mounds cookie!)

Italian Lemon Ricotta Christmas Cookie

Unfussy Sugar Cookies

Raspberry Chocolate Meringues

Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookie

Iced Butter Cookies

Triple Chocolate Cookie

Lemon White Chocolate Cake Mix Cookie

Have the sweetest Christmas ever!

My Favorite Things Party - 2022

One of my favorite things this time of year is a My Favorite Things party. I've already attended several this season! If you're not familiar with this party theme, check out the details here. This year, the limit for each gift was typically $10-15. Here is what I brought to past parties that still remain as some of my favorites:

• 2014: Flylady's rubba scrubba
• 2015: A collection of spices from The Savory Spice Shop, one of my favorite stores in downtown Franklin
• 2016: A jar of pickled okra, Bloody Mary mix, and a small bottle of vodka
• 2017: A Christmas tea towel I bought at Sanctuary South (one of my favorite gift shops)
• 2018: A collection of several items: stainless steel condiment cups, baking cups, and homemade cinnamon rolls
• 2019: Stainless steel spoon straws
• 2020: Hint flavored water and Tea Forte's herbal retreat presentation box
• 2021: Pantry labels; homemade hot tamales and ingredients to make my favorite chili recipe; Evan Williams spiked eggnog and Pepperidge Farms Chessman Christmas cookies to make Paula Deen's Not Yo Mama's Banana Pudding recipe; marble coaster from the David Arms art studio.

This year, I brought:

• Frasier Fir wool dryer balls gift set. I've started using wool dryer balls now instead of dryer sheets this year. And, the Frasier Fir scent is one of my favorites this time of year.
• Christmas candle from White's Mercantile. (I don't think you can ever have too many candles. I love this scent, and White's Mercantile is one of my favorite gift shops.)
• For my book club, I chose a repeat of Evan Williams spiked eggnog and Pepperidge Farms Chessman Christmas cookies to make Paula Deen's Not Yo Mama's Banana Pudding recipe. 

Christmas Tree Book Case

Although I'm certain I may have overlooked some items, here are some of the other favorite things shared from all three parties (in no particular order):

• Body balm, shave gel, body wash, body lotion, and lip balm from Thistle Farms
• Zum hand and body lotion
• Zum mist
• Big apple red OPI fingernail polish
• Miniature nativity scene
• Overgrip for tennis racquet
• Vaseline lip therapy
• Amika dry shampoo
• Barefoot Dreams fingerless gloves
• Volcano wool dryer balls and laundry fragrance oil
• Everyone nourishing lotion
• Merry Christmas napkins
• Lavender candle
• "He gets us" tea towel
• Barefoot Dreams footies
• Monaco moscow mule in a can
• Bombas socks
• Double Good Little Kettle That Could popcorn
• Sheila G's brownie brittle
• Nemat amber fragrance oil
•  Homemade tomato basil soup
• Fireside Outdoor bluetooth speaker tumbler
• Jim's spaghetti sauce
• Scarf from Valentine's House
• Fly fan for outdoor table
• Six recipe cocktail shaker
• Wooden salad tongs
• Hayward Gourmet white chocolate caramel cappuccino bomb
• Peggy's caramels
• Pearl bracelet
• Touch-up paint pen by SlobProof
• Bag opener and sealer
• Bracelet helper tool
• Lifesavers book of candy
• Back of earlobe stabilizer for earrings by 3M 
• Mary Kay peach gardenia hand cream
• Covergirl eyebrow pencil
• Christmas pajama bottoms
• Buff City Soap body oil
• Meyer's hand soap
• Maracuja lip gloss
• Leafless hanging neck fan
• Tyler candle
• Arectech rechargeable candle lighter
• Christmas tree platter
• Kiehl's creme de corps body moisturizer
• Athleta coffee run wallet
• Starbucks gift card
• Dry rub seasonings
• Loads of favorites from Trader Joe's:
• TJ stroopwafel cookies
• TJ lavender shower fizzle
• TJ bordeaux wine
• TJ hair serum
• TJ lemongrass coconut body oil
• TJ dark chocolate peanut butter cups
• TJ cedar balsam scented candle
• TJ caramels
• TJ wooden spatula
• TJ waxed amaryllis
• TJ dark chocolate covered peppermint Joe Joe's
• TJ crunchy chili onion
• TJ rosemary marcona almonds

Hopefully this will help give you ideas for last minute stocking stuffers!