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| The grecious host |
I had heard of cookie swaps before but I really didn't know what they were all about. This year I received an invitation to a cookie swap party for the first time. I have never been to this kind of party, and I got excited! But when Yoly, the lady that hosted the party, told me I have to bring 15 dozen cookies I was like... 15 DOZEN! How can I make that many cookies? I didn't think I was going to go. It turned out that I missunderstood and it was only 5 dozen, phew!, much more manageable. So I started to plan what kind of cookie I would bake and I got even more excited and filled with anticipation.
Yoly explained to me that each attendee would bring 5 dozen of their favorite cookie and copies of the recipe. Then we would share something about why we chose that cookie or what we learned when baking this cookie. Later we would exchange recipes and we would fill our own containers with all kinds of cookies that had been divided equally among the attendees. This sounded good.
The party was last week. When I got to Yoly's house, I was immediately greeted with warmth. The house was completely decorated with a Christmas Tree, beautiful ornaments, candles, and a great collection of Santa Clauses that Yoly said she had been collecting for over 26 years. Everything was just perfect for the occasion. Plus, the aromas from the kitchen were so fragrant and inviting - she was cooking
pozole, a Mexican soup traditionally made with pork and hominy and one of my favorite dishes.
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| Pozole |
So, the party began; she offered pozole to all her guests. We ate, drank and enjoyed each others' company and conversation. Later we gathered at the center of the kitchen where Beatriz, the co-host, shared the history of cookie swap parties, then we started the tour around the house where all the cookies were displayed on beautiful plates that sat among all the beautiful Christmas decorations - it was magical! Each person shared something about their cookies; lots of interesting and funny stories! Then we proceeded to collect and fill our containers with cookies. I came home with more cookies than I could handle but luckily, my husband and mother-in-law were home and they did not have any qualms helping me eat these goodies.
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| Oatmeal Cookie from Dawn |
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| Sugar and White Chip Cookie made by Susana |
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| Magic Cookie Bar from Elvia |
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| Potato Chip and Black Pepper Cookie from my kitchen |
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| Balls of Deliciousness make by Marisol |
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| Apricot-Raspberry Rugelach from Beatriz |
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| Butter-Cherry Cookie from Anna |
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| Peanut Butter Cookies made by Lourdes |
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| Melt-in-Your-Mouth Cookies from María Elena |
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| Cranberry Walnut Oatmeal Cookies from Yoly |
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| Chocolate Chip Chocolate Cookies by Mónica |
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| Coconut Macaroons made by María (Lucy) |
All the cookies were great but if I have to choose one, I would say my favorite was the Peanut Butter Dipped in Chocolate and Nuts Cookie - that was amazing, definitely my favorite!
Yoly said this is the first of an annual tradition she is starting. Thank you, Yoly, for inviting me! I had a great time at your cookie swap party. I will definitely go again next year.
