Tony was invited to serve on the team planning the next retreat, which will take place next month. Each team member is asked to provide 40 dozen homemade cookies to provide a "bottomless bowl" for the weekend, and I told him he could count on me to do some baking.
That's turned out to be easier said than done. The planning meetings take place on Saturdays, and they're an all day commitment. My plan was to bake each time Tony was gone. However, the first time I had an all day meeting of my own, and a family event on the second. Tony is headed back to the area today, but I had several things going on that would keep me from baking during the day. So I changed my plan and baked a batch last night.
There are very specific requirements you have to follow. The cookies need to be about 2-1/2 inches in diameter and not more than 1/2 inch thick. They cannot have any type of fruit (like raisins), nuts, icing, sugar sprinkles, or any other type of coating on the outside. They have to be packed in a quart sized Zip-Lock bag, with one dozen cookies per bag, and be labeled with the cookie type inside.
Tony told me he had heard through the grapevine that there are always more than enough chocolate chip cookies, so I decided to make something else. He had give me a handout with several recommended recipes. I chose their version of sugar cookies, and after Rhonda of If you do stuff, stuff gets done posted about adding pumpkin pie spice to some cookies she baked I decided to follow suit. (I think just about everyone is on the pumpkin spice bandwagon at this time of year.)
When I was done there were seven dozen cookies bagged and ready to go in the freezer. That's a drop in the bucket for what Tony's supposed to provide, but there are two more formation meetings before the retreat actually happens. And, I don't have to do all of them myself. When they put the word out in the church bulletin a lot of people contribute.
Five years ago today: Apple Pear
That is a lot of cookies. And so picky with what they can and cannot be. You certainly get a lot of credit for being willing to do this very exacting task. I would have thrown up my hands and said, no thanks.
ReplyDeleteI think the rules come from the correctional institution. Of course you have to accommodate for potential allergies (which would explain the ban on nuts. All of the cookies get scanned and searched before they're allowed in.
DeleteThey look perfect Kathy and for a good cause!
ReplyDeleteThank you :-)
DeleteThis is so loving and giving! Both you and Tony!
ReplyDeleteThe time you both give, will be joy for others.
If I can bring a little joy into someone's life it's all for the good, right?
DeleteGood for you!
ReplyDeleteHello from Idaho and stop in from Christine blog. Those cookies are sure making me hungry.
ReplyDeleteIf you have time stop in for a cup of coffee
Thanks for stopping by! I WILL take you up on that offer of coffee. See you soon.
DeleteTasty.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Wow! That's very specific. I wonder why.
ReplyDeleteI think the regulations have something to do with the fact it's a maximum security prison.
Delete