One of the things we try to do to reach out to our neighbors is to bring them cookies, welcome them into the community, and invite them over for something (grilling out, playing with the kids, etc.). Yesterday, Donna was making cookies for us to bring to the neighbors. Since we live in a new neighborhood, we want to be the "welcome committee."
Well, last night I was up reviewing a few notes for my session today. Donna had already gone to bed, and as I was working I finally realized the room was filling with smoke. It had been smoking for a while, but by the time I noticed it was like something from Isaiah's vision in the temple, "and the house was filled with smoke."
Turns out we started the cookies and forgot to get them out of the oven. So, last night, we were up with a surprise, opening the doors, turning on the fans, and putting cookies out on the front porch.
Very exciting...
Donna asked, "Should we leave the cookies out-- it might attract animals."
I was pretty sure that wouldn't happen.
Want a cookie?
Posted on July 29, 2008 at 3:11 PM ~ 11 Comments
Tagged with: cookies, hospitality, neighbors
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11 Comments
07/29/08 @ 3:59 PM
What a great welcome to the neighborhood that would be to burn down all the homes with a cookie fire.
Seriously though, we have the same approach to greet the folks in our neighborhood.
07/29/08 @ 4:36 PM
Uhhhh ... I didn't know you were an old testament Christian ... you know .... burnt offerings and such..
07/29/08 @ 5:14 PM
Oh, that's great! Thanks for the laughter.
07/29/08 @ 7:57 PM
I guess that is why the ovens normally come with timers to help us to remember what we were doing.
07/29/08 @ 11:05 PM
Actually, I think I have seen that same strategy used back in the 70's. A plate of charred cookies and a note that said, "Welcome to the Neighborhood. Turn or burn!"
07/30/08 @ 1:01 AM
Well, those cookies could definitely survive being shipped to the Philippines--they are perfectly preserved :)
07/30/08 @ 4:32 AM
Hope you don't mind if i turn you down. I am trying to quit.
07/30/08 @ 10:19 AM
Too bad the cookies burnt . . . We used the same approach when we moved into our new neighborhood to invite people to a cook-out and the first service of our new church plant that is currently meeting in our home.
07/30/08 @ 12:40 PM
On the other hand, a bag of charcoal briquettes is always a nice housewarming gift.
07/31/08 @ 2:47 PM
I always like my cookies with chocolate chips and ash :-).
08/05/08 @ 11:42 AM
The cookie idea in itself is great, but burnt one's might later reflect one's absent mindedness on the real important things, i.e. developing those relaltionships !
We had cookies offered to us by our neighbors when we moved in, and had very little contact with them. Aside from an occaisional carpool, and those rare visits that my husband had, we had very little to do with our neighbors who brought us the cookies, which weren't burnt by the way.
We now have different neighbors, who really don't need the cookies, rather a bottle of Water would be much better with a free pass to the exercise gym would be to their advantage. We have managed a few friendly exchanges rare opportunities but nothing is planned to see them on a daily basis. But it's a good laugh to see the picture.