Monday, December 6, 2021

Virtual Cookie Exchange 2021

 Welcome to the Virtual Cookie Exchange and blog hop hosted by Carol at Just Let Me Quilt. I am excited to share a favorite Christmas cookie recipe that I started making just last year. Part of this exchange is to share a family tradition and quilt too.

One family tradition that we enjoy almost every year is to visit a local house that goes way overboard with the decorations. They do it for the community and they collect donations for St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Last year they collected over $18,000. Each year they raise little more than the previous year. Enjoy the photos and videos.

This first video is a new addition to the display.

There is a reindeer barn. You can see Rudolph in the center.

There are carolers. Don't you just love the pup on the sled.


Santa is checking his list and Mrs Claus is enjoy a hot chocolate. This is in the home's garage.


Here the elves are making and wrapping the gifts.

The entire front lawn is covered with more Christmas displays.

Even the animals get a nod. Look at the penguins roasting marshmallows and the swaying squirrels as well as the skaters.


There is a nativity, but my photo didn't come out well. The penguin igloo construction company has this sign on display. Don't you love the name of the company....Igglouie Construction Co.?!

 Finally here is the bear Christmas Tree lot. 

The quilt that I am sharing this year is one I made for my daughter several years ago. She is a big fan of "A Charlie Brown Christmas". I found a fabric panel online and made her a pretty lap quilt to keep her warm each winter. She asked me to add a sleeve to it and now she hangs it as a decoration sometimes.

Last year, for the first time, I made Oatmeal Gingersnaps. The recipe was in an old Country Woman Christmas book Volume 1. I loved them, though they were a little too sweet for the rest of the family. I plan on making them again this year as I liked them so much.

Here is the recipe:

Below is the list of all the Virtual Cookie Exchange participants. This is a great way to find a new cookie to add to your recipe box. Please spend some time exploring the blogs.

37 comments:

  1. A lovely tradition for a worthy cause. Happy Holidays!

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  2. Such a fun display of Holiday magic near you! My girls would love it. The recipe sounds yummy too.

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  3. Oh, my goodness! That house is amazing! And I thought the house in Christmas vacation was heavily decorated... Thanks for sharing the quilt and the cookie recipe. I love gingersnaps and oatmeal--looks like a yummy combination to me!

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  4. What a wonderful idea that family had and wow to so many decorations! Thanks for sharing your photos. Meanwhile, that quilt you made is sweet and the cookie recipe is right up my alley. I've taken a photo so I'll remember it. Great post!

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  5. Wow on that display! Are they life-sized? My favorites are the Mr and Mrs Claus one and the Igglouie Construction Co. Thank you for sharing your cookie recipe - that's the first time I've seen a gingersnap recipe with oatmeal - they look fantastic! I'm saving your recipe to make for our cookie trays. And how can they be "too sweet" for your family - there is no such thing as too sweet - LOL!

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  6. I love gingersnaps but have never added oatmeal in them - that sounds a little healthier LOL - might have to try that!

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  7. That's quite a Christmas display at that house! I bet it's fun to visit with all ages. Cute Christmas quilt and sounds perfect for your daughter, too. Thanks for sharing the recipe - those cookies sound yummy!

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  8. Gingersnaps with oatmeal sounds delicious and perfect for a Christmas treat. Your Charlie Brown quilt is so sweet and being able to hang it each year is a wonderful tradition. Thank you so much for hopping along with us and sharing these treasures, Cathie!

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  9. I can't imagine all that work going into that decorating (or all the taking down either!!) Thanks for sharing the recipe!

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  10. Oatmeal ginger snaps…that sounds like a great combination. Thanks for sharing.

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  11. Wow the tour of the decorations you visited was fun. Oatmeal gingersnaps are really tasty and I love the quilt.

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  12. What a great decorated home to be able to visit! I love it! Thanks so much for the cookie recipe, they look delicious!

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  13. virtual or real it all looks amazing and thank you for sharing!! I am hoping to bake something this year and maybe share with my new neighbors.

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  14. Oh my, they do go all out for Christmas but it is wonderful to see. Thank you for sharing.

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  15. I love Charlie Brown too, what a cute quilt! Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Charlie Brown has always been a favorite at our house. Rudolph also. Thanks for visiting.

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  16. What a wonderful event to have shared with us. Love to hear these stories. Your cookies look wonderful.

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  17. Oatmeal and gingersnaps! Mmmm ...sounds like a wonderful combination. Thank you for sharing your recipe and your festive home in the hop ... :) Pat

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  18. I’m intrigued by oatmeal gingerbread

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  19. What a display. Too fun and definitely puts you in the Christmas spirit. Your Charlie Brown quilt is precious and those cookies - Yummmmmmy! Thank you!

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  20. Wow that house pulled out all the stops in decorating. I've been watching Christmas Light Fight on TV and they are right up there with those homes. How awesome to make it a fundraiser as well. My hubby loves oatmeal cookies, so I think I need to try a batch of these. The combination sounds delightful! Thanks for sharing the recipe with us!

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  21. Those cookies are like two of my favorites slammed together. I so enjoyed your story of the neighborhood house and the fundraising efforts. I know if would be so cool to see in person.

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    1. It is definitely cool to see in person. I hope you try those cookies.

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  22. Hi CathieJ! What a fun house that really does pull out all of the stops for their Christmas decorating. I wonder how early they have to start? I think oatmeal gingersnaps sound delicious! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe. {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne

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  23. Thanks for the tour. What is it about Christmas displays that make your heart happy? Especially the animatronics! Your cookies look yummy too.

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  24. I love all the Christmas displays, thanks so much for sharing them with us! The cookies look delicious! xx

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  25. Your display is lovely and thanks so much for the recipe!

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  26. What a great post really enjoyed it.
    Carry on having fun.

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  27. Wow! I love that light display, and it would be such fun to see it in person. Thank you for the recipe, and Merry Christmas to you!

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    1. The light display is definitely something to see in person. Thanks for visiting.

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  28. What pretty decorations and treats. Very Christmas and awesome.

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    1. Yes, that house is quite awesome. Thanks for visiting.

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  29. Boy you weren't kidding when you said over the top decorations. Can't imagine the time to get it all out and packed up again. I do less each year outside; but about the same inside. Enjoy your cookie exchange. Really cute quilt.

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    1. This year I am having trouble getting my indoor decorations out. So glad you liked seeing those decorations.

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  30. Lots of holiday happiness here! and Oatmeal Gingersnaps...I'm all into that!

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Thanks for your comments! I love to hear from you.