Baked, Packed, Delivered, I'm Tired

After weeks of preparation and a busy day baking more than 5,000 cookies, the 2013 Trinity Christmas Cookie Box sale is officially over. In the end we made 116 boxes each containing just under four dozen cookies and raised more than $3,000 for Food Ministries at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.

Today we delivered the boxes and can now take a breather until next year. Pulling off such a large project required help from a crew of dedicated volunteers who I can't say enough about - I am so blessed to have their help and support.

Special recognition must be given to my friend Cheryl who organized the sale in addition to making and packaging cookies. By herself she made 48 rolls of shortbread dough!

Here are some pictures from the busy baking and packaging sessions that started last Friday at 9 a.m.

The baking team at the beginning of the day with more than 5,000 cookies in our future: Teri, Rieko, Leah, Martha, Mary, myself and Cheryl.

Martha and Mary counted and sorted cookies. In the background is Cheryl checking a batch in the oven. Cheryl and Rieko did an amazing job of watching the ovens and baking every single cookie perfectly.

Anne cutting Ruglach.

The Ruglach assembly station: From left to right, Tiffany, Linda and Teri.

A baker's rack filled with cookies ready for packaging.

Linzer cookies.

Bill and Dave unwrapping candy canes for peppermint bark. Dave is also the resident chocolate expert and prepared the melted dark chocolate for dipping and white chocolate for peppermint bark.

Teri, Cheryl and myself drizzling white chocolate and sprinkling crushed candy canes over chocolate shortbread.

The team returned early Saturday morning to fill the boxes. The first step was to open all the boxes and set them out on tables.

The first layer: (clockwise from top left) Cranberry Coconut Cookies, Maple Shortbread, Cranberry Ruglach, Chocolate Shortbread with Peppermint and White Chocolate, Ginger Molasses Cookies, Linzer Cookies, Vanilla Shortbread and more Ginger Molasses Cookies.

The second layer: (clockwise from top left) Linzer Cookies, Russian Teacakes, Chocolate Shortbread with Peppermint and White Chocolate, Ginger Molasses Cookies, Walnut Logs, Cranberry Coconut Cookies, Marbled Shortbread and more Walnut Logs.

The final addition was a package of Peppermint Bark.

Filled Boxes ready to be closed and finished off with a Gingerbread Snowflake and red satin bow.

Boxes ready for delivery.