Cookie Jar: Megalicious Cookie of the Month Club...

I come from a decent size family. Both of my parents are still alive and married to each other! I have an older brother and two younger sisters, and my brother is married - giving me a sister from another mother. In addition, I have 4 nieces and 2 nephews, and 1 great niece...giving us a total of 14!! Well that adds up very quickly come Christmastime - well actually anytime really!! So several year's ago we decided that the siblings (and at the time my youngest sister was still married) would draw names and purchase gifts for only that person in a set dollar limit. We would all still purchase for Dad & Mom, and each of the nieces and nephews. This saved a significant amount of cash...I mean it cut my "to buy for" list down by 5.

Everyone loved the idea and it became a tradition! Well, this year we had to add my oldest niece to the name pull pile. You see - we decided, a few years ago, that once a "child" is no longer in college or has entered the workforce full-time they would be moved to the "sibling" exchange (for which I just realized we need to come up with a new name)! And 2010 held some pretty big milestones for her...she graduated from cosmetology school, began working in a salon, turned 21 and had her first child...all grounds for moving to the other side of the fence!

We had our drawing in late September, and I pulled my niece's name! I was very excited...because it meant I could still buy for all of my nieces and nephews!! So I asked her what she wanted...she gave two gift ideas - a gift card and a purse. Okay - that was a slight problem - because, I like to purchase as much as I can in the dollar amount that we select...so I asked for additional ideas. But she said those were really the only things that she needed! So I decided I would have to get creative. For many weeks I tossed around various ideas; then one day an idea hit me and I ran with it! I would give her a gift that would last the entire year...I "enrolled" her into the Megalicious* Cookie of the Month Club!! Each month I will make and deliver a different cookie (up to 2 1/2 dozen) for her to enjoy! She loves cookies - she is a Cookie Monster...just like me! When I "gave" her this gift she was SO excited, and everyone else was very jealous. She also is a very open eater - meaning she will eat most things and has no reservations to trying new recipes - cooking or baking! I always enjoy trying new recipes out on her! So as I've been working on the "cookie schedule" - I was able to select some cookies that I've wanted to try out. I'm so looking forward to this project and gift!! :)

Would you like to join?? Well my faithful SG'sP blog followers - for you I have a special treat...each month - after I have baked the cookie - I will post the recipe and pictures here for all of you to enjoy at your homes!! Cookies will be baked and delivered near the middle of each month - so be watching! My brother saw the cookie schedule (listed below) and has already asked how much it would cost to join the Megalicious Cookie of the Month Club - and he really thinks that I should start a side business. Who knows maybe one day...?!?!?!

Megalicious Cookie of the Month Club - Cookie Schedule
January ~ Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies (recipe & pics are already posted - August, 2010)
February ~ Cinnamon-Sugar Butter Cookies
March ~ Chocolate Mint Sandwich Cookies
April ~ Oatmeal, Cranberry, Walnut & White Chocolate Chunk Cookies
May ~ Butterscotch Chewies
June ~ Coconut Macaroons
July ~ Lemonade Cookies
August ~ Chocolate Chip Cookies
September ~ Peanut Butter & Jelly Thumbprints
October ~ Apple Pie Cookies
November ~ Pumpkin Cookies
December ~ Snowballs (Russian Tea Cookies)

So CONGRATULATIONS you've been enrolled in the Megalicious Cookie of the Month Club - blog version!! Pour a glass of milk, a cup of coffee or tea - and enjoy!!

*Megalicious = lots of delicious