Day Three – Virtual Cookie Exchange/Giveaway Blog Hop
It is time for the 2017 Virtual Cookie Exchange Blog Hop. From December 5 – 7 many blogs are participating in sharing their favorite cookie recipe and/or Christmas tradition. This is our very first blog hop and giveaway!
Virtual Cookie – Yum!:
No calories gained in following this tasty virtual cookie exchange. I had to think long and hard about which recipe I should share. Before I get to the good stuff, I’d like to share a little bit of our Christmas traditions. Sue and I have been besties since high school, and now share a home and families. She is my sister from a different mother and her family is my family (and vice versa). We host a Christmas Eve celebration every year and everyone is welcome.
It’s Not Christmas Eve Without Traditions
Sub sandwich trays are ordered from a local deli (Lee’s Deli in Racine!), shrimp, baked beans, sliced ham and softer buns, family salad, mocha chocolate chip cheesecake (just for Chris!), and other goodies are spread out over our large island. I always try one or two new appetizers like Ruben dip in a bread bowl, artichoke and spinach dip with rye bread crisps, etc. to expand our offerings. I haven’t chosen the specialty this year – I want it to be gluten free for sure! Janice’s husband always brings wings, Sue’s mom makes fluff (my favorite) and a cheese ball, and all just eat and laugh and have fun.
Sue’s nickname is Dr. Auntie Claus (well earned Dr. so I don’t let that drop!), and she always reads that story to the kiddos who are getting older every year. In the past, she also read a story from the Bible with her sister, Jodi, who is now with us in spirit. The kiddos open presents, we admire the lights on our village that is no longer expanding (or we’d need a bigger house), enjoy the train that great-grandpa Tom got working again just for Dominic to enjoy, and chat. Officer William will be able to join us this year, and he’ll bring along a special someone in his life. There might be some wine opened, shared and enjoyed as well. Finally, whoever wants to go heads off to the 11:00 p.m. candlelight service at church. This has to be one of my favorite days of the year. ~smile~
The Good Stuff Finally
Are you still with me?! I didn’t bore you to death, I hope. Another part of our tradition that has fallen by the wayside recently is a cookie bake. It was usually held on a weekend day/evening depending on everyone’s schedule. Everyone had a job whether it was official mixer of the dough, dipper of the pretzels in chocolate, unwrapper of Hershey Kisses for the peanut butter cookies, or even fussy cutting a sleigh and reindeers one year. I do not make cutout cookies (too lazy), but I do enjoy the whole decorating process. The oddballs (HAHA!) of my family do not like sprinkles or nonpareil candies on ANYTHING so that severely limits our decorating. Today I’m sharing the recipe that we make every year, and I am sure that great-grandpa Tom will be giving Dominic a small crumb even though he shouldn’t. ~smile~ Link to .pdf found below!
One of our other traditions is that I make fudge every year for Christmas Eve. I have been coerced into making it once in July. I’m told that fudge lovers can eat it any time of the year. This recipe is from my sister, and it is definitely a family favorite. Technically not a cookie, I wasn’t sure if I should share it or not. It is too good not to share. ~smile~
Here is a link to both of our Cookie & Fudge Recipes – Nona’s Classic Sugar Cookie and Pat’s Fannie May Fudge. I hope you enjoy them both.
Here are all our friends who are participating today:
December 7
Home Sewn By Us (you are here!)
You can find Day One and Day Two participants by clicking on the links. You will find excellent recipes and a giveaway or two! Don’t forget to check them out.
Win a Cutting Gizmo and some other goodies by entering this Rafflecopter giveaway. The giveaway started on December 5th and ends December 8th at midnight. A winner will be selected on Saturday, December 9th and notified by email. US residents only, please. I hope you win!
Our Linky Parties can be found by clicking the link for more quilting fun – check out what our friends are up to. Like/follow us on our Facebook page and share your latest project there! We love to see them. ~smile~
You did not bore me in any way! I like reading about other people’s holiday traditions. The recipes look super yummy! My mom was well known for her Phanny Farmer Fudge. She made it every year. Even burned out a mixer one year because she left the mixer running and forgot about it. LOL! 🙂
Cindy,
Do you make your mom’s fudge? Just curious how they compare. ~smile~ Roseanne
I will have to dig the recipe out to know for sure! 🙂
No our recipe is different. 🙂
Ours is called Phanny Pharmer Phudge and has a very different list of ingredients. Sorry to keep adding comments. One would think I could get my act together and get it done in one comment. LOL! Just a problem child I guess! 🙂 🙂
HAHA – no worries. I find that very interesting though that the ingredients are so different. ~smile~ Roseanne
So are the instructions. Ours has to boil fir an extended time and also be beat in a mixer for a long period. The chilling time is much longer too. There! I think I’m done. 🙂
Great traditions and I also love fudge, Thanks.
Good Morning Maryellen,
I hope you try and like the recipes. I especially like the fudge. I appreciate your visit and comment, and Merry Christmas. ~smile~ Roseanne
When I am home with my DH, the whole family meets at his parents’ home for dinner and gifts on Christmas Eve. The last 7 years, since my mom’s death, I have spent Christmas in another state with my dad. My tradition here is to go to Christmas Eve services around 11 PM at a church close by his house. I love family traditions! Thank you for the cookie and fudge recipes!!
Good Morning,
I love the late, candlelight service at church! Our last song is Silent Night and it would be around midnight or Christmas Day. So moving! This year they bumped the time up to 10pm so we’ll finish before the actual day starts. It’s so nice that you get to spend some time with your dad. I hope you enjoy the recipes. Thank you so much for visiting and commenting! ~smile~ Roseanne
Thanks for both of your recipes. We always made cut-out cookies when I grew up and they were frosted. I wasn’t a frosting person so when my kids were little we used an egg(yolk) mixed with a bit of water and food coloring. Then the cookies were decorated BEFORE baking. They bake up to be shiney and bright and perhaps a bit healthier. You use water-coloring paint brushes. Lots of fun.
Hi LJ,
That sounds like fun, using a paint brush to decorate the cookies! I’ll bet they look pretty all shiny and they would have to be healthier. Thanks so much for your visit and sweet comment – I hope you come again. ~smile~ Roseanne
We really don’t have any more traditions. We are lucky with everyone’s work schedules to even get together!
Hi Brenda,
Boy howdy, I hear you on the work schedule thing! This year it wasn’t a huge issue since Christmas Eve is a Sunday. We do have a police officer and nurse in the family though so we’re working around that. It is a gift that we can still all get together. Thank you so much for visiting and leaving a comment – I hope you come again. ~smile~ Roseanne
We also make fudge at Christmas from my husband’s mother’s recipe. We have to use the dish she used to have it perfect.!
Hi Kathy,
Well certainly the dish you serve it on does make an impact! I hope you enjoy the recipes. Thank you for visiting and commenting, and I hope you come again. ~smile~ Roseanne
Thanks for sharing your family recipes and traditions. Sounds lovely and tasty.
Hi Selina,
I hope you give them a try and let me know if you like them! Good luck on the giveaway. ~smile~ Roseanne
That fudge sounds terrific. I could eat fudge any time of the year, too. Great family traditions. You sound like a close bunch. Thanks for sharing your recipes.
Hi Karen,
We are a rather close bunch, in a good way. I look forward to everyone coming over – less than three weeks! Eek. ~smile~ Roseanne
I’m going to have to try your fudge recipe because I love Fannie May’s fudge. Thank you for sharing the recipe. Sounds like you have a blast on Christmas eve.
Hi Jan,
We do have a blast! And I hope you let me know if you like the fudge if you try it. Thanks so much for visiting and commenting – I hope you come again. Merry Christmas to you and your family. ~smile~ Roseanne
Your family traditions sound great. I also have to say that fudge definitely counts as a cookie in that it’s a one-bite dessert. Not that one should eat all sorts of things in one bite, but then again it is hard to resist. I have a friend that makes fudge all year long and doesn’t eat any of it due to dieting. I’m always suspicious of bakers who refuse to eat their goods!!! Anyways, her fudge has nuts and I’m allergic but word on the street is…that her fudge is mighty good. I think I would like yours better as you share a piece for yourself at the same time…..just saying. elanagoldberg5@gmail.com
Hi Elaine,
I am allergic to nuts, too! I’ve have made the fudge with nuts, and word up is that it is great – but usually I leave them out so I can enjoy it too. Who ever heard of a skinny baker?!! That’s not me. HAHA Thanks so much for visiting and commenting – I hope you let me know if you make the fudge. ~smile~ Roseanne
Did I mention a Christmas Story is on for 24 hours straight….LOL
HAHA!
We always hang up stockings on the fireplace, eat the same things for Christmas brunch each year and always watch White Christmas while decorating. At night A Christmas Story is always on….mumbird3(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi Allison,
That sounds like a fun tradition! I love watching White Christmas and have been waiting for it to come on. That and The Holiday. Good luck on the giveaway! ~smile~ Roseanne
Great post! I do love reading about traditions. Who wouldn’t love the fudge and sugar cookies. Auntie Claus…that’s a new one to me and I love it! Merry Christmas to you!
Hi Joan,
When the kids were little, they totally bought the Santa’s sister thing. Their eyes got so big, and we kept it up throughout the whole year. Now we have a new young one to continue it on with. Thank you so much for visiting and leaving a comment! I appreciate it very much, and hope you come again. ~smile~ Roseanne
I used to make lots of cookies and candy. Now it’s just cookies. Love the idea of fudge.
Hi Christi,
Oh, I hope you try the fudge! It’s a good one, at least my peeps think so. ~smile~ Roseanne
Thank you for the yummy recipes. I have enjoyed reading your blog today. Thank you for sharing … 🙂 Pat
Hi Pat,
Aww, that is so sweet of you to say! I hope you enjoy the recipes. I really appreciate your visit and comment, and hope you come again. ~smile~ Roseanne
Yes, fudge can officially be eaten all year round! Yummy recipe!
Hi Denise,
That’s exactly what Sue’s sister Janice says. All year, any day. I had to make her some for the 4th of July once. I thought it was way too hot but she enjoyed it and even shared a bit. That’s so much for visiting and commenting – I hope you come again. ~smile~ Roseanne
We have a new holiday tradition that I started last year. I had a gingered party for all the children in the family. They all came I had gingerbread houses galore that I pre assembled. They got to decorate to their hearts content and decorate gingerbread cookies I had made also. They got to gobble up holiday candy and cookies and pizza too and it was a wonderful event. We are having it again this year. It is next weekend…I can’t wait to see their faces as they do this. My table looks like a candy store exploded …So much fun.
.
Hi,
That sounds like fabulous fun – for all involved. I can only imagine the huge selection of housing and landscaping decorations you have pulled together – and for munching too. That sounds like something we can do when Dominic gets a little bigger. Thanks for sharing and visiting today. I hope you come again. ~smile~ Roseanne
I love cut out sugar cookies too. So much fun and laughter when the family gets together to decorate them.
Hi,
We do have a fun time decorating, even without the use of sprinkles!! Different colors of frosting is always good, and I picked up some of those tubes too. Thank you so much for visiting and commenting! I hope you come again. ~smile~ Roseanne
These recipes look fantastic, thank you. I really enjoyed reading your post. It sounds like a lot of fun with friends and family. Congrats on your first hop and thanks for the giveaway!
Hi Carla,
Oh, thank you so much! I hope you enjoy the recipes – they both are a ‘must’ every year. Good luck on the giveaway! I appreciate your visit and comment, and hope you come again. ~smile~ Roseanne
Thanks for the recipes and for sharing your traditions!
Hi Theresa,
I hope you enjoy them and visit the other bloggers – lots of good stuff shared. Merry Christmas to you and your family! ~smile~ Roseanne
Thank you for the fudge recipe. I make Divinity every year for family and friends.
Hi Cecilia,
Oh, Divinity! My mom used to make that when I was a child. Oh so good and melt in you mouth. I’ll have to dig around and see if I still have her recipe. Thanks for that fond memory, and for visiting/commenting today. I hope you come again. ~smile~ Roseanne
I totally enjoyed reading about your traditions (wasn’t bored to death at all!) Your party on Christmas Eve sounds like a blast. Thanks for playing along and sharing traditions and recipes. I loved this post and the fudge looks delicious!
Hi Carol!
Christmas Eve is a blast, and I look forward to it each year. I have enjoyed the cookie exchange so much! ~smile~ Roseanne
No more traditions since the kids are grown.
Hi Daryl,
Thank you so much for commenting and visiting today. I hope you enjoy the recipes. Merry Christmas to you and your family. ~smile~ Roseanne
Not too sure. I guess this will be a year with new traditions. My daughter and I will attempt to make Jeff’s families super secret cookie recipe. I guess the one tradition that I have continued is to donate, just in a different way now that Jeff is gone.
Hi again,
Oh, a super secret cookie recipe. I hope you can replicate it, and then write it down! That’s the kind of thing that needs to be passed down through the generations. ~smile~ Roseanne
Since my kids are grown, married, and live in different states. I send them a package each year for Christmas, and always include some dried, homemade noodles. They love mom’s noodles and look forward to getting them each year.
Hi again,
Oh my, homemade noodles. I can see why they would LOVE to receive that package (can you adopt me?!). YUM. I have never made any myself but it always looks so hard when I see it on cooking shows. ~smile~ Roseanne
I am one of those people that could eat fudge any time. In fact, I’m going to try your recipe today!!
Hi Nancy,
Oooh, I hope you like it! I truly do make it every year and it’s always a big hit. Merry Christmas to you and your family! ~smile~ Roseanne
Thanks for sharing your traditions and recipes with us! Merry Christmas!
Hi Kris,
Thanks so much! I appreciate your visit and comment, and hope you come again. ~smile~ Roseanne
One of our traditions is to make Lefse, a Norwegian flat bread, a tortilla cousin but made of cold mashed potatoes & four. Rozz01(at)cox(dot)net
Hi Rosalind,
I have had that and it is delicious (I have a Norwegian background). Thank so much for visiting and posting! I hope you come again. ~smile~ Roseanne
We like to make and decorate gingerbread houses.
Hi Patty,
That is a big undertaking! I can remember when Sue was teaching first grade, and she did that with her class. It was a lot of fun decorating them. ~smile~ Roseanne
What size pan do you use for the fudge?
Hi Vicki! Great question – I guess I should add that to the recipe! I use a lightly butter-greased 9×13″ pan and sometimes an additional 8×8″ pan if I don’t want the pieces too thick. AND if my niece Andrea is cutting the fudge (she makes HUGE pieces) then we would need a third pan. HAHA ~smile~ Roseanne
Thank you for sharing your traditions~ It is so nice to have such a close family!
Hi Anita,
I am SO blessed for that and many other reasons. Thank you so much for visiting and leaving a comment. I hope you come again. ~smile~ Roseanne
I really liked hearing about your Christmas Eve traditions. I would like to be part of your family. =) Thank you for recipes that make LOTS! I have cookie plates to make, and I think I’m going to put the fudge on there, too!
Hi again,
Yes, that cookie recipe makes a LOT which is a good thing for our family! The fudge is really good – I’ve made it as long as I can remember. Merry Christmas to you and your family! ~smile~ Roseanne