Thin Mints. Samoas. Tagalongs. Yes, it’s the most wonderful time of the year – Girl Scout cookie time. Okay, keeping it all in perspective, it’s pretty darn good! And Ann Kelly is lucky enough to work in an office where not one, but two, of my coworkers have Girl Scouts in the family and we had easy access to that fine order sheet. No, I’m not admitting to how many I bought, but let’s say it was enough to send to my Mom, my sister, pass around the office, and hide a box of my favorite Samoas for myself. A girl must have her own survival kit, and that’s mine.

   Kelly’s Kitchen had some very special guests in our Florida Central Credit Union Theater this past week from Brownie Troop 158, Oldsmar/Palm Harbor, respresenting West Central Florida, and leader Michelle Rouzer. Check out their special techniques for selling cookies, and how the money they raised is used. My personal thanks to my friend here at work Judy Altman and her daughter Jade, and of course all the members of troop 158! Jade Altman, Ally Boston, Sarah Lilly, Ava Parisi, Jordon Ronecker, Haley Rouzer, Ashley Rule, Nora Sandoval and Shawna Ticktin.

   And in the fine tradition of never leaving well enough alone in Kelly’s Kitchen, you have to take a look at this collection that use Girl Scout cookies as part of the recipes for other sweet treats. It was compiled by Paula Glassner for the Pine Mountain Unit a few years ago; it’s a great piece to use for your troop, since it also contains a history of the Scouts, and get this – the ORIGINAL recipe for the first cookie!  Lots of cool trivia too, right down to which cookie is the biggest seller. Need we say more…Thin Mints!

   The Girl Scouts also have an app for the iPhone and Android where you can find exactly where the closest cookie sellers are in your neighborhood. Still $3.50 per box. Enjoy!

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM KELLY’S KITCHEN

"I think the most enduring lesson I was taught through my experiences of being a Girl Scout was that I was a member of a larger community. I out-grew my uniforms and badges years ago, but the memories of visiting nursing homes or organizing Earth Day tree plantings or my summers camping with girls from all different backgrounds will stay with me always."

-Natalie Merchant, Musician