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Post by Robin on Oct 30, 2009 10:06:55 GMT -5
Michele that is so cute!!!! Very memorable, which is the point.
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Post by Robin on Oct 28, 2009 11:18:26 GMT -5
Jen, Re: Golden Spoon AWESOME idea!!!! I just turned my manuscript in, but may have to send that tip to my editor to add in... Very creative and cost effective. Kudos to you.
It reminds me of the Alfredo's golden spoon, which is a big honor to use. Robin
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Post by Robin on Oct 27, 2009 11:36:43 GMT -5
Hi Lyn, Antipasto is not so much a "recipe" as it is just your choice of ingredients to place on the platter..
Ten people would make 10 different platters, some with same ingredients but there's dozens of variations...
Antipasto would work great for a cookie party since it's all finger food... I'll do a meats, marinated veggies and cheese platter and a fruits platter, since are melons are delish wrapped in prosciutto.
Here's my version, there's no magic, it's as easy as opening packages and jars, most of it from a grocery store deli.
Genoa salami, Prosciutto, Carpaccio of beef, Gorgonzola, Provolone, fresh mozzarella balls, shaved parmesan, Asiago cheese, artichoke hearts, olives, grilled zucchini, roasted red peppers, pepperocini peppers, drizzle a little olive oil, sprinkle capers over everything. Serve with crunchy/toasted breads like Italian loaf or foaccia. (Some people like to add walnuts, but I never do.)
On another plate: antipasto fruit platter dried figs and melons.
Lastly, I always do two side bowls: 1) garlic flavored hummus spread 2) shallow bowl w/ olive oil, crushed garlic, ground sea salt, fresh ground pepper, grated parmesan (<---- first thing I make, so flavors will meld, tastes better after sitting)
This is called antipasto because it's supposedly an "appetizer", however, when I make this for my family... I call this dinner! Great for a late, lazy Sunday afternoon.
NOTE: Re: Carpaccio It's hard to find this unless you go to a real Italian deli... I'll buy this at my grocery but it's never as good as the high end Italian restaurant I go to.
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Post by Robin on Oct 9, 2009 12:24:21 GMT -5
I just thought of something concrete you can do. Buy a couple bottles of hand sanitizer and leave them around. Have one in kitchen or what ever room people will be eating in. Pass the sanitizer around right before the swap. This may help ease your mind a bit.
However, all it takes is one sneeze to spread a cold or flu and you don't necessarily know the health status of each household the cookies come from.
I hope this helps.
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Post by Robin on Oct 8, 2009 21:24:13 GMT -5
Horay for Tina, The FIRST cookie party in England... (that I've heard about.)
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Post by Robin on Oct 8, 2009 21:22:25 GMT -5
I am not changing a thing because every winter is flu season. I can only recall one year (of 19) where we had a "flu out". I always have open cookie platters. If someone thinks they may have the flu then they have no business showing up. (You don't want their cookies anyway) In theory, if you have one sick person at the party, they can make the whole group sick just by being there and breathing around them and sharing communal party foods; appetizers, hors d'oeuvres, etc. I would like to say that I've never heard of any epidemic happening from my parties.
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Post by Robin on Oct 8, 2009 21:13:01 GMT -5
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Post by Robin on Sept 18, 2009 23:08:59 GMT -5
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Post by Robin on Sept 18, 2009 23:03:31 GMT -5
Hello! My name is Crystal Johnson and I will be hosting my 5th Annual Cookie Exchange on Friday, December 4, 2009. I have a few openings if anyone local is interested! Thank you so much and God Bless! [/quote Hi Crystal, Can you please tell us where you live?
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Post by Robin on Sept 16, 2009 15:15:31 GMT -5
Hi Susan, Thank you for implementing my favorite way to swap and for agreeing it works very well. Everyone feels they got their "fair share". Wanna know the worst way to swap? The "pick and choose number system". The first numbers ALWAYS get the BEST cookies and the last numbers end up with the burnt, broken crap that nobody wants. I don't talk about this too much, but I could fill up a book with rant letters I've received! That style of swapping is prolly the most important reason that some people "hate" cookie exchanges. They go home feeling short changed and guess what, they were.
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Post by Robin on Sept 10, 2009 23:07:59 GMT -5
I thought I had gotten my cookie exchange listed, but didn'ty find it. When I click on the map to add it, I don't see where. But, Hey, I'm the one who didn't see where to get to this message board. Ha Ha Thanks, Pam Hi Pam, I wish it were automatic... but I have to update the map. When you post to this board, I will see it and add your location. Thanks!
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Post by Robin on Aug 25, 2009 12:01:55 GMT -5
I just wanted to say how excited I am to see all the future cookie parties that will happen and the new friendships that will be formed, as a result of this one thread.
Now I wish that I'd added this years ago... instead of saying "Sorry, I don't know who will add you to their cookie exchange."
Can't wait to see the pictures!
--Robin "A stranger is just a friend you haven't met yet" Olson
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Post by Robin on Jul 25, 2009 14:51:00 GMT -5
Hi Mary, Send the Save the Date in September! Robin
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Post by Robin on Apr 28, 2009 11:41:42 GMT -5
This link is to a page in my 70's section. It's me and my mom and I'm wearing a bandana. I'm also wearing elephant bells, which of course were bigger bells than regular bell bottoms. My mom made everything she is wearing and the top that I am wearing. www.robinsweb.com/70s/momnme.htm
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Post by Robin on Apr 26, 2009 22:19:47 GMT -5
Hi Trish, We called them bandanas in the 70's. I wore them all the time and had them in every color.
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Post by Robin on Mar 23, 2009 23:52:03 GMT -5
Hi Muffy, You said I suggest you offer a yearly raffle of some sort where your fans that are here on the site get to have their name picked to come & join you gals at your get together! You could call the raffle>>>"Who's Gonna Join Robin's Cookie Exchange this Year!" aaahhhh yes I would want my name in the pot!!!lol Hmmmm, that is an interesting idea. I'll think about it. ;) You wrote I enjoy going through the pictures from all the ladies who have parties but I wondering if there was a way to find out who those ladies are on the board as on the board everyone uses different names. I wouldn't know how to link up usernames from the message board to the web pages of CE parties. The only way would be for when someone posts... to link to their page on www.cookie-exchange.comLastly, I can't believe it's been 10 years already since the Food Network show.
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Post by Robin on Mar 16, 2009 22:37:58 GMT -5
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Post by Robin on Mar 16, 2009 22:33:52 GMT -5
LOOKING FOR HOSTESSES WILLING TO INVITE LOCAL WOMEN TO THEIR COOKIE PARTIES!
Over the years many people have asked me if I knew of cookie swaps they could join. While I have heard from many gals that want to join swaps, I never hear from hostesses offering to invite people, ok... strangers... Let this thread be the place where swappers can meet up!
If you have an account with this message board you can email other members through the system. Otherwise leave your email address so people can contact you.
If you're looking for a swap, state your locality and hopefully someone will contact you!
"A stranger is just a friend you haven't met yet!"
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Post by Robin on Dec 10, 2008 1:05:11 GMT -5
Ugh, I just had my 7th annual exchange (I started in 2002) and I think I'm going to take a couple years off. People are just not getting the exchange part! Half my guests did not bring cookies! The ones that did bring cookies did NOT bring holiday cookies. We have one person who brings the same thing every year, and she wins every year. She bring MAGIC COOKIES or 7-layer dream bars every year. Someone brought a cake to exchange--it was no fun cutting a sloppy cake, either. So many people did not respond to the invitation and those that did, were not respectful enough to follow the rules. Sure, people had a good time (the party started at 1 and people didn't leave until 7) but it's not what I wanted. Hi Jennifer, I've been working on an article to help gals like you kick start their parties. Sometimes it's hard to get the party where you want it to be. Unfortunately, I don't have time this week to finish it because my cookie party is this Sunday. However, it's top on my list to address problems like yours. I'll at least share this with you --You're not alone. I hear from many with exactly the same concerns and it's one of the main reasons that I wrote the "How to Host a Cookie Exchange Handbook" (available at Amazon). You'll need to be signed up for my newsletters to see this article after I write it. www.cookie-exchange.com/sign_up_newsletter.htmlDo me a favor and write to me privately so I can ask you some specific questions about your party... Thanks! robin@cookie-exchange.com
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Post by Robin on Dec 10, 2008 0:43:31 GMT -5
The party will go by very quickly just with socializing, eating and cookie swapping. In order to get a game or two in --you have to have a game plan.This means being authoratative and getting everybody's attention, which can be hard if you have 20+ women scattered through out 4 different rooms, like I do. It's fun to add games. Gather everyone one into one room. Explain the rules of the game, proceed! Give little prizes, women can be very competitive! heheh. Game ideas here on my site... I recommend the Left/Right Game as a good beginner game. www.cookie-exchange.com/party_games/index.html
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