105th Dessert Exchange: Sunday, February 2, 2025 @ 4 pm

Hi All,

LynnB has graciously allowed me to host the dessert exchange at her home on the northwest side of Chicago. I will supply a meal of Hungarian Mushroom soup with blinchiki (meat filled blini, a favored travel or picnic meal) plus a few salads. If there is a committed vegetarian, please let me know.

My dessert contribution will be the cake I just adored in Moscow, USSR called 'Ideal.' I have not made it in years and it sounds so appealing presently.

I enjoyed the white elephant exchange at IrisArbor's last year, so if you wish to pass on something discretely, we are the audience! If you don't wish to participate, no problem. Just let me know who is in and who is out.

There is room for ten people:

1. LynnB
2. Cathy2
3. IrisArbor
4. justjoan
5. Ms. Ingie
6. LauraS
7. carrienation
8.
9.
10.

Happy New Year!

Regards,
Cathy2

I am in!
Happy to do white elephant
I have lots LOL

I am in as well. I will report back on my intended dessert. What is the price range of the White Elephant, or doesn't it matter?

Ms. Ingie wrote:I am in as well. I will report back on my intended dessert. What is the price range of the White Elephant, or doesn't it matter?

I'd rather it did not matter the value, though it is a plus when there is humor involved.

Regards,
Cathy2

I'm in and will bring something to exchange!

Laura

LauraS wrote:I'm in and will bring something to exchange!

Laura

Yay!

Unfortunately they have scheduled my grandson's birthday party for that afternoon so I am not going to be able to attend after all. Sorry to miss it.

suef wrote:Unfortunately they have scheduled my grandson's birthday party for that afternoon so I am not going to be able to attend after all. Sorry to miss it.

FAmily first!

please count me in. i'll try to think of something for the white elephant exchange... joan

justjoan wrote:please count me in. i'll try to think of something for the white elephant exchange... joan

Wonderful!

I sat in on a meeting today where they were talking about objects and how to tell their story. One person had a tea-party type event where people were asked to bring a cup and saucer from their family china as a conversation starter.

If you are so inclined, please bring a cup and saucer from your family china. If you don't wish to, I can supply a few.

Regards,
Cathy2

Are we trading the cup and saucer?
Or will we go home with our own?
Thanks
Elaine

irisarbor wrote:Are we trading the cup and saucer?
Or will we go home with our own?
Thanks
Elaine

No trading expected unless both parties consent.

It is more about an opportunity to talk and to tell stories to share:
Where did the China come from?
What was the most memorable meal served on this China.
What memories do you have of joy that came with this China
Are there any sorrows connected with it.

The program I attended was from a master storyteller. I thought it would be interesting to engage.

Cathy2

I don’t have any inherited tea cups. My mom still has her wedding set. I will peruse the china cabinet and come up with an alternate conversation piece.

I do have plenty of tea!

not everybody has family china. many families immigrating to the US did not have the luxury of bringing over such items. they carried only the basics. i have no china for starting a conversation.

Can you be more specific on area of NW side of Chicago?

Food Nut wrote:Can you be more specific on area of NW side of Chicago?

Near the site of the LTH picnic. Close to Forest Glen.

Hi,

Sorry, if you do not have family china. All my immigrant relatives bought it long after they arrived. It was trotted out for every holiday dinner and faithfully packed away.

Do you have a favorite mug for your tea? That will do.

FoodNut - It is west of the expressway. It would be wonderful to see you.

Cathy2

Looking forward to Sunday! I think I'm going to make an apple pie.

I’m leaning to something chocolate
Maybe flourless CC

LauraS wrote:Looking forward to Sunday! I think I'm going to make an apple pie.

Yum!

irisarbor wrote:I’m leaning to something chocolate
Maybe flourless CC

This also sounds great!

I finally decided on a cake - Laurie Colwin’s favorite birthday cake: Gingerbread with a Raspberry Preserves filling and Chocolate Frosting. I’ve never made it so “fingers crossed.”

Audrey is going to contribute Chocolate Crinkle cookies from a kid’s baking book she got for Xmas.

i'm going to make dorie greenspan's Lisbon Chocolate Cake. i've had problems with her recipes in the past...but i'm giving her another chance. it's hard to go wrong with good chocolate...

justjoan wrote:i'm going to make dorie greenspan's Lisbon Chocolate Cake. i've had problems with her recipes in the past...but i'm giving her another chance. it's hard to go wrong with good chocolate...

I remember your experience with her recipes and you were not alone.

Regards,
Cathy2

LynnB wrote:

irisarbor wrote:I’m leaning to something chocolate
Maybe flourless CC

This also sounds great!

I finally decided on a cake - Laurie Colwin’s favorite birthday cake: Gingerbread with a Raspberry Preserves filling and Chocolate Frosting. I’ve never made it so “fingers crossed.”

I'm a huge Laurie Colwin fan, both of her recipes and her short stories and novels. All I have to do is think about her dying so young and I tear up... looking forward to this cake as I've never made it or eaten it.

justjoan wrote:I'm a huge Laurie Colwin fan, both of her recipes and her short stories and novels. All I have to do is think about her dying so young and I tear up... looking forward to this cake as I've never made it or eaten it.

For those who have no idea about Laurie Colwin: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurie_Colwin

Hope it's not too late to sign up! If not, not sure of what I'll bring--more likely some sort of cookie/candy/bar, given what everyone else is bringing, but it may be a game-day decision.

I'm also in for the white elephant exchange; however, I wanted to clarify the parameters. I've participated in some exchanges that were fully jokey (once I was gifted an old bottle of hair gel with about a half-inch left), but I'm assuming that this is more like an office exchange, with something $10-20 in value that's fairly generic that anyone might want. Is that correct? Also, can it be in good shape but used? (Sorry if that's a tacky question--I have something specific in mind that I think would be more valued by this group than, say, someone at Goodwill.)

Hi CarrieNation,

You will be welcome.

I would forgo the almost empty hair gel.

Useful, used or regifted is fine. One man's garbage is another man's treasure. No assigned value, because it is just something fun.

Bring a cup and saucer or a mug, we want to stir up conversation!

I think we will just put a period and end for further attendees.

See you all on Sunday!

Regards,
Cathy2 and LynnB

Hi please pm me the address for tomorrow- Thanks

irisarbor wrote:Hi please pm me the address for tomorrow- Thanks

Sent! If you do not have this direct message, please let me know.

Cathy2