Samuel is teething. It took 10 months for the first tooth to make an appearance and now it seems they are all coming at once. The little fella is relentlessly requesting to be soothed which I comply with the best of my abilities as my bewildered self attests.

This comes in a week when my plan was to focus on building the Olivia Canela inventory for the Anna Templeton Centre Christmas Tea & Sale, and study for my citizenship exam next week. I also have a friend staying at our place. Her 5-month old is staying home with me while she is doing lab work. One thing I have to say: Thank You Friends and Family! The products are made, the reading is underway and both babies are content, fed and clean.

At the end of another frantic day, once the babies are sound asleep, my friend and I find solace on a cup of tea, and a homemade cookie from Saturday’s cookie exchange. Well, I should write “found solace.” The tin only has crumbs and the next exchange is about 365 days away.

This was the first time I hosted the cookie exchange. My friend Marina left the province in the summer and her party was for me the start of the holiday season. For the occasion I had 2 tables set. One table had plates, ribbon, and clear bags to have the cookies ready to freeze or give as gifts. The second table had a cheese tray and wine. No one used the ribbon or bags. If they are anything like us, the cookies are also long gone.

An array of flavours were offered: Molasses Chewy Ginger Cookies, Mexican Hot Chocolate, Lavender Shortbread, Lemon Nutmeg Meltaways, Chestnut Creams, Sesame Seed Wafers and Espresso Chocolate. Especially to munch at the party I also baked Black Pepper & Balsamic Strawberry Shortbread. According to my friend Willow, “Paula, these were honestly the best cookies ever” so, you if are into baking, give them a try.

Is it proper to have a cookie exchange mid-year? My tea is awfully lonely.