Visions of Cookies

Well the 78th annual Cookie Party has come to a close. Yay!

It's a really fun event, but as one of the organizers I find myself torn between years of panic when we don't have enough cookies, and years of surplus. There have been a few years when we started to cut bar cookies in half the last 30 minutes of the events so that we could attempt to "stretch" the remaining cookies.
This year started as one of thoes years. Our sponsorship was low. We were hurting on donations - about 100 dozen LESS than what we needed. Ouch. So the "committee" and I were fully prepared to bake 100 dozen between the 3 of us.

So, we put a plee out to the campus for more donations. We got a little bit of a response. Then our boss swept in, and saved the day, and saved us the time and effort.

But, as folks dropped off cookies yesterday wek kept hearing - "Well, I knew you were low, so I baked a few more than I said I would bring."

So, we had PLEANTY of cookies. And it was actually really fun to just encourage people to eat as much as they wanted. And they did. If you want to see a visual image for "gluttony", come to the cookie party! People walk away with STACKS of cookies. Gross. :) We had so many cookies left at the end of the party, we told the remaining students to come in and take a few dozen to go. They we still had about 15 dozen to donate to the Decatur Family Refuge. Maybe the best way to end the Cookie Party. :)

All in all, it is something you need to see to believe. From 2pm-4pm we have a constantly full room of students, faculty, and staff as they mix, mingle, and share a sigh of relief for the end of the semester over a sweet treat...or 2...or in our case, 31. :)

Here are the pictures we captured yesterday.

This is what 90 dozen cookies looks like in a car trunk...just incase you wanted to know. :)

This is the "prep" room. From 8am-12pm people drop their cookie donations off here. At 1pm we start to unwrap boxes, at 2pm we start to plate to serve.

This is the Cookie Party place before the time it opens. Lovely. Quiet. Well Decorated and organized. :)

This is what a Full Cookie Party plate looks like before it goes in the crowd of people. The "melted snowmen" were ours. And the chocolate covered pretzles. They were a hit!

And there it is. Cookie Party in full swing. This is how it is pretty consistantly for 2 hours. :)

Happy baking!
MMB

Oh!! And Happy One month!

Can't believe we said "I Do!" a month ago.
Huh. :o)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Well, it's official. We had our first 3 snow flakes fall today. The holiday season is upon us. (For me it really doesn't feel like the holidays until a snow...and although I don't REALLY count today - it was the closest we have been.)

As many of you know, I have the glorious pleasure of organizing the Cookie Party at Millikin. This is the 78th year of this tradition on campus. And, as far as traditions go, this is a good one! Although, I must say, I miss my beloved Aaron Copley - my former partner in crime when it came to all things cookie party. (And, well, really just all things! :) )

The Cookie Party was started by the "Wives of Millikin Faculty" 78 years ago, and was seen as a holiday party (Formally called the "Holiday Tea") to end out the semester for all faculty and students. Well, over the years it has switched hands a bit, and now it is the Cookie Party. Not actually funded by any department or person, we basically ask for donations early in October, and cross our fingers there will be enough come the big day.

Facts about the Cookie Party:
1.) We need 500 dozen cookies to not have a "Cookie Crisis" (Yep, that equals 5500 cookies!)
2.) The Cookie Party is only 2 hours - but we honestly almost go through 5500 cookies in 2 hours.
3.) Each year I have had to bake anywhere from 10-50 dozen cookies on my own - because we just never have quite enough.
4.) We donate all left over cookies to the night shift for facilities and custodial.

So, AHB and I started baking this weekend. And we will wrap it all up tonight.

My favorite thing was this:

This, Ladies and Gentlemen, is a pile of flour. Created by one, AHB. Yes folks. He is not perfect. Mr. I-can't-stand-the-sight-of-a-mess - made one! And he was highly upset at the thought HE did it. Blamed me at first. How lovely.

And unlike most, this is how he cleaned it up.

So. Odd.

We also watched two of my favorite Prange kids this weekend. Here are a few pictures from the events:

Peace and love to all.
MMB

Winterizing Fool

It seems impossible that it is December. It seems impossible we have been married a month (almost). It seems impossible I haven't blogged since November 12th....ha. This has been my first full work week since before we got married. Wedding, Honeymoon, Conference, Thanksgiving...what a busy month.

Some funny things:
There are few things I wouldn't do.
I have always been pretty bull-headed about doing things myself. "No, I don't need your help, I can carry this all by myself." "No, I don't need help moving this ______, I can do it." And the list goes on.
A certain husband would joke that on the list of "Things Molly Wouldn't Do" would be cleaning. Well, that is not true. In my defense actually, I enjoy cleaning - I am just not as detailed as a certain OCD AHB.

However, as I get older I have noticed that I am turning into my mother on a certain items related to going outside of the house when it is cold and dark. This is particularly difficult from November to March, when it is dark by 5pm. There is no place I would rather be than curled up on the couch with a blanket and two dogs. We had to go out pretty last last night and drive to Springfield (picking up a Christmas gift from an elf), and I was having an internal protest. I bundled, I wrapped my scarf around my head to create a "Babushka" head warmer...AHB looked at me when we got outside and said, "It isn't even that cold out."

It was just the pure thought of it. Ugh.

Another thing I wouldn't do without being prompted is winterizing.

AHB beat me home from work the other night and was already in the house when I got home. I was unpacking my things when he got a roll of packaging tape, and put his coat on.

Me: "What are you doing?"
AHB: "None of your concern."
Me: "Why are you going outside with tape?"
AHB: "Winterizing."

(Now, last year I helped the man winterize EVERY windown in his old apartment...and there were MANY. It took a long time. But, it helped tremendously. This year, however, we live in an apartment where we don't pay for utilities. So, if we have the heat a bit higher...it isn't harming us.)

Me: "Ugh. Why. Let me help you." (Imagining the role of celephane from last year.)
AHB: "Mind your own business."
Me: "I'll come out and help...but why are we going outside..."

AHB proceeded to shut the door on me. :) So, I watched as my husband went outside and secured the Air Conditioner covers he purchased along our apartment window AC units with packaging tape. What a good man.

I am thankful for a winterizing husband who doesn't need help when it is dark and cold. :)

I am also thankful I married a man who enjoys Christmas music. We have been listening to it on and off in the car together, and he hasn't complained yet.

Here are some pictures of our lovely apartment! Happy Holidays!

Oh, and here are a few when we drove down to get Fergie in Chatanooga. Ignore AHB, he didn't want his picture taken with the things on his head. He really was paying attention to the road. ;o)

mmb