Holiday Cookie Exchange

December 9 marked our annual cousins' dinner and cookie exchange - a day in December that we all look forward to, and for me, kicks off the holiday season with a bang!

This year we gathered at Judy's lovely home in Fairfax and enjoyed a fabulous meal - her delicious lasagna....remember Judy, I would LOVE the recipe! The selection of cookies this year was outstanding - as always...such a talented group of bakers. Lori began a new tradition to our annual event this year. Everyone brought a wrapped, favorite kitchen item, and we participated in a good old fashioned Yankee swap. It was fun, entertaining, and everyone loved their gifts! Eddie and I have been enjoying the beautiful, very red, snowflake coffee mugs each morning - filled to the brim with fabulous Green Mountain Coffee Roasters coffee....thank you Deb!

I always enjoy spending time with my cousins. On every occasion that we gather, whether it is a monthly luncheon, a dinner, a King family reunion, or at our annual cookie exchange, we always have fun and enjoy our time spent together. We have a lasting connection to one another - our parents are brothers and sister, and I know they are as happy as we are, that we have maintained our close family tie to one another.

Cheers to our holiday gathering of 2010.....Merry Christmas Judy, Sandy, Lori, Deb and Kerry. I love you all!

Judy and Lori....getting ready for the Yankee swap! ;-)

Our lovely dinner table at Judy's home. Great lasagna!!

Judy was the first to pick a gift.....however, it quickly left her possession....never get too attached to what you open during a Yankee swap!

Silly me..... I thought I would go home with those fabulous red spatulas! Hmmm....just was not meant to be, right Sandy??? Stolen...right from under my nose...she only looks sweet and innocent.... ;-)