Homemade Cookies and Could I Borrow an Egg?

What ever happened to knowing your neighbors?

Well recently, a homegrown, old fashioned thing happened to me...a neighbor came over to borrow some eggs for baking. She really was not making homemade cookies but blueberry muffins from a box. But when you think about it this is the kind of neighborliness that used to happen a lot more in the "olden days".

I remember in the neighborhood where we grew up "out in the valley" that it was common for us neighbors to borrow an item to finish a recipe. Perhaps an egg, cup of sugar or some vanilla were the most common items that we thought we still had in our pantry but forgot to stock up on afterall.

And everyone we knew was quick to share. You never knew if you might be the one in need and you always felt willing to give whatever you could to help them.

This was one way you got to know your neighbors too. Casual conversation would occur at this sharing time and you got better and better acquainted because of it. This led to trust and loyalty amongst each other and we depended on one another for helping with our children, passing on a favorite stew recipe or calling to make sure everyone was alright when you knew their family just had the chicken pox.

Now in this modern society, no one needs an egg. You just buy a container of cookies from Costco and you are set.

No eggs are needed. The sugar and vanilla are already in it and the neighbors, the secret ingredient are no longer in the mix. What a shame...

But you know what? I have a "hankering" to make some homemade cookies tonight and I think I am short about 1/2 cup of sugar. Instead of going to the store, I might just ask a neighbor if I can borrow it and when those cookies are still fresh and warm, I'll trudge back next door and drop off a plateful. It was their sugar anyway.