I had no idea what I was doing... This is the first sentence of many of my personal stories but I digress...
Several years ago a friend attended a holiday cookie swap held by one of her co-workers. She raved about how awesome it was to make a batch of cookies, visit with friends and leave with an assortment that would make the most experienced Martha-Stewart-Wannabe envious. *ehem* And I was.
So, from that little bit of information came the tradition now called the "Cookie Party Extravaganza". I host friends and co-workers each year and fill them to the brim with oodles of holiday spirit.
Having never attended a cookie swapping party before, I just kind of made it up as I went along. Standard party planning comes easy to me, so setting the scene for special holiday cheer wasn't something that I felt I couldn't handle.
Hors d'evours - Check
Theme decorations - Check
Drink - Check
Cookie Display Area - Check
Party Favors - Check
Party Games - Che...um games?
Yeah, I thought about how we would go about entertaining ourselves while swapping cookies and decided that games would be fun. There was holiday themed trivia, "Best" awards and a sugar cookie decorating contest. We laughed, we ate, we giggle and let our competitive sides soar.
Six years later we are still at it. Sure, the core group of friends has changed slightly and the head count has grown, but the concept is the same.
We gather to share holiday spirit, recipes, cookies and love.
If you don't have a cookie swap to go to this year, make one of your own. The instructions are very basic and there is plenty of room to customize to your specific needs. Have the swap last as long as you want - have games or don't, it's entirely your decision.
Basic Necessities for a Successful Cookie Swap:
1. Instruct attendees to bring at least 4 dozen of their favorite cookie. (I ask that they RSVP with the recipe so we have the best selection. Don't be afraid to tell someone that the cookie they want to bring is already being made by someone else and you'd appreciate them picking another recipe if possible.)
2. Set a swap time. If you want to play games or have more of a party, let the attendees know that the party begins at X time and the swap will start at Y time. That way, if someone is late, they know what to expect.
3. Provide basic snacks and beverages for your guests and play holiday music in the background. You don't need to go over the top!
4. Ask your guests to bring the recipes for their cookies (or send them along with the RSVP) to give out with their cookies. This way, if someone likes the cookie they are able to recreate it without having to search for the recipe.
5. Take it easy and have fun!
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Queen of the Universe and her handsome soldier man celebrated Veterans Day yesterday with good reason. Senior Chief spent 21 years in the service of this country - defending freedom in far away lands during that whole Vietnam "thing" and protecting our borders here at home.
We appreciate you for what you have done for us and who you are in our lives.
You're goofy...
Patriotic (and FULL to the gills with all kinds of information)...
And a treasured part of our family...
Happy Veteran's Day!
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You are wrong. You just don't have the sense to admit it.
The course syllabus clearly outlines when assignments are due and how any late assignments are to be handled. There are no ambiguous terms, no wiggle room. If assignment A is due on October 31st by midnight Arizona time and any assignments posted after that time will incur a 10% penalty per day for being late, then that is how it should be graded.
If some (wonderful, brilliant, amazing) student chooses to turn in an assignment the day after the deadline because she was too (bone crushingly, blindly, brain numbingly) tired to make sense of it on its due date, then deduct the appropriate 10% and be done with it.
Just because you happen to be online grading other assignments and just happen to start with this students work, it is not okay to grade an assignment as incomplete that SHE IS IN THE MIDDLE OF POSTING!
Yes, I know that you went back and generously regraded the assignment according to the rules previously set forth by the university - but your "I'm doing you a favor, so don't expect this kind of special treatment" attitude is giving me brain damage.
If you had possessed the freakin' balls to pick up your cell phone when I called you (Yes, I KNOW you hit ignore) we could have had this conversation in real time. Now I just have to lodge another complaint about the quality of instruction with my academic administrators. Fabulous.
Don't expect a Christmas card from me until you're capable of admitting you made a stupid mistake and take your misguided ego down a notch.
Sincerely,
The Woman Paying Giant Butt Loads of Money That Pays Your Salary
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It is in fact 2008... for most people. For Jenn and I, it is 1977...
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Madame Gilda and a group of witches from Salem assisted a local senior living complex with their Halloween Party.
Madame Gilda (L) and Head Witch Yackie (R)
According to reports, Madame Gilda's ability to tell the future proved right on the money when she (some say accidentally) correctly predicted the winner of the costume contest. Residents were all a-buzz as the hour drew late and they had not yet had their opportunity for a one-on-one fortune reading.
Rest assured that the dedicated witches present made sure that each resident had their reading. No one left disappointed.
We are sad to say that, after such a grand and successful debut, Madame Gilda has officially retired her tarrot cards and crystal ball.
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