Saturday, December 16, 2006

…and that’s good enough for me

So it’s been a little more than a year since I finally gained employment in Nunavut. And because I was new last year I kind of missed all the Christmas activities in the office. That includes the party, but also the cookie exchange. Now, you might think the Christmas party would be the big deal, but I’m not sure. The Express never really had what you would call a Christmas party. Instead the editor would take us out for supper and a few drinks.

The last real staff Christmas party I went to was the ones I had with the Packet. And for anybody with the paper who reads this blog, I still have the incriminating photos. Anyway, it's been awhile since I've done a staff Christmas party.

But the thing I missed last year that I regretted was the staff cookie exchange. Because it’s apparent that we have some very good bakers in the office, so trying to get in on that seems like a pretty good idea.

However, there are several catches to this scheme to get some high quality cookies. First and foremost being I can’t bake. Oh sure, I could get some of that ready-to-go stuff at the store, but that doesn’t count. It is, I suspect, frowned upon. No, cookies from scratch is the way to go.

So this meant going to my lovely wife and seeing if she could assist (i.e. Do most of the work) on the cookies. To which she shot me a look, but because she loves me, agreed to do.

Then came word that that in order for the exchange to work right, we would need to make 72 cookies. To which I got another look, a less favourable one I might add, and some grumbling. My position was not improved any when I told her the exchange would take place at 4 p.m. on Dec. 15, a scant three hours after she departed the north and headed home.

Let’s not even discuss the odds that most of the cookies in the exchange will likely have nuts in them, which she’s allergic to. Or that we’re going to start going to the gym in the New Year and that consuming lots of cookies is probably a bad idea. Best not to dwell.

Anyway, the final total went down to 54 as a few people dropped out. Still, it’s a lot of cookies. And I am under instructions to freeze the ones that can’t kill Cathy so that she has something to look forward to in the new year.

So the cookies were made which involved chocolate, cream cheese, marshmallows and coconut. My job was to put on the coconut. It was the most difficult part of the task. Really.

Ahem

Right, so, the cookies have been exchanged and seem to have gone over well. The cookies I've received are now in the fridge waiting for Cathy's return. Except for the "Kill Cathy" varieties containing nuts. I'm such a good husband, willingly eating all those cookies that could kill her.

Speaking of which, I think I'll go have a cookie right now...

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sacrifices, sacrifices. When will it end?

Anonymous said...

Your post reminded me I have a cookie exchange of my own to prepare for. Forgot about it last year in the rush. Hopefully I can pawn my cookie-like creations off on someone.