Memories made at cookie exchanges

How can 30 years go by so fast? This past Monday was my 30th annual Cookie Exchange and my last. It's been a joyful ride and I've loved most all of it. We've celebrated births, graduations, promotions, retirement and given support when those we loved passed on. After thousands of cookies it seems like we've made them all. I should have kept all the recipes but we started in the days before computers and back then we were lucky to get the 14 dozen cookies baked and in some kind of container.

Over the years some of the cookies have been wonderful and some not. We took the good with the bad. As the years rolled on the party became more about the foundation of friendships and catching up with some of the people you only see once a year. We've all grown up and grown old together.

Every year we have a gift exchange and for the past couple of years it's been a white elephant or re-gifting. Usually we draw numbers for position but this year we went by ages with the youngest going first and the oldest last. My granddaughters Breana Coons and her sister Lauren Coons (23 and 18 years) were up first and Gracie Allesch and Lynn Cauley's mom Velma, who was celebrating her 83rd birthday that night, finished it up.

First place cookie went to Laura Vance and Laurie Oswald for Laurie's mom's Swedish Snowball Cookies and second place cookie went to my granddaughters for their Pecan Eggnog Rounds. They took second place for their container too. My partner Kim Sayre and I won for best container, which was a picture collage to remind everyone of the wonderful times we've had over the years. Debbie Coleman made us all a hanging Santa to keep for many Christmas's to come and Sandy McCleary made festive teal-colored bags. Thank you; Paula Tlachac, Deirdre Peterson, Elaine Marriot, Laura and Lynn mentioned above for sticking it out 30 years with me. I know it wasn't always easy.

We had Christmas carolers this year from the Carson High School honor choir and they just topped off the perfect night. Thanks to my judges: Peggy Santoro and Amanda Skiba from the Appeal and my friend Donna DePauw.

This is going to be my last column for a few months. I'm going to work for the Legislature this session so I'm taking a little time off. I'll start back again before the 3rd & Curry Street farmers market opens.

I hope Christmas brings everyone the kind of joy that will stay in your hearts all year long.

Swedish Snowball Cookies

1 cup soft butter

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups sifted cake flour (sift before measuring)

3/4 cups chopped pecans

Powdered sugar for rolling

Cream butter and sugar, add vanilla, then add flour and nuts. Handle lightly - roll into 3/4 inch balls. Bake 20-25 minutes at 325 (slow oven). Cool, then roll in powdered sugar.

* Recipe from Margaret O. Romine's Recipe Box

This next recipe is a great celebration sipper and is good "as is" or with champagne.

Raspberry-Tangerine Punch

4 or 5 tangerines (or you can use oranges)

1 lemon

1 32-ounce bottle cranberry-raspberry juice, chilled (or juice of choice)

1 bottle club soda or champagne

Squeeze the juice from the tangerines and lemon. Combine all the juices and slowly pour in the club soda or champagne. If desired, garnish with lemon peels.

• Linda Marrone has been a Carson City resident since 1973. Together with her husband, Ralph, formerly operated Marrone's Restaurant in Carson City and Somethin's Cookin' Catering.