I raise you one

[boxofdelights]

My neighbors and I have fallen into the habit of shoveling each other's sidewalk when we are doing our own, because if you are out there why not. They do it more often, because they get up in the morning and I do not. So whenever I am baking a big batch of cookies I bake some for them, to keep up my end.

First snow this year, they shoveled, and I said thank you when we crossed paths. Neighbor said actually, their youngest child did it; they're making him work! I left cookies at their door a few days later.

Neighbor texted: "Thank you so much for the ginger snap cookies!! These are our favorite!!"
Me: "I hope [child's name] likes them too!"
Neighbor: "For sure!"

This morning, even though it was very cold, the public sidewalk was shoveled from one alley to the other, and so was the walk to my front door, which was not something we have done for each other before. The shoveling was thoroughly done, the whole width of the sidewalk, so I'm going to guess it was not the child's job this time.

I'm thinking, ginger cookies and brownies? Ginger cookies and Mexican wedding cakes? Ginger cookies and spiced nuts?

On the other hand, where will this end?

Comments

[radiantfracture]

A happy escalation!

[kate_schaefer]

That is wonderful!

When I was much younger and fitter, I used to shovel my older neighbor's walk. She never thanked me for it, not once. I have often wondered what it was that dried up the milk of human kindness in her. She died many years ago, and we've had four sets of neighbors in that house since, all of whom were more pleasant than she was.

On the more cheerful hand, a current neighbor and Glenn frequently shovel each other's walks, and always thank each other.

[sonia]

Yay for kind neighbors! I also stress about keeping things balanced and escalation. Maybe add effusive thanks and admiration rather than more baked goods, if that would feel better?

[moon_custafer]

Thinking of that tumblr or twitter post by somebody in a new neighbourhood that ends with "The neighbours and I are in an arms-race of friendliness. Oh God, I'm going to have to host a dinner party, aren't I?"

[asakiyume]

The famous shoveling-cookies arms race!

Myself, I just wouldn't escalate--but I think all your suggestions are great, if you do decide to up the ante ;-)

[carbonel]

Change it up with loaf of bread?

[silveradept]

Those are all good additions for the additional help. And yay for helpful neighbors.

Mutual aid is

[jesse_the_k]

great in the moment, and continues to feed a warm glow for a long time.

Are the "spiced nuts" you refer to hard cookies, or actual spiced nuts? If the latter, tell me more or point me to a recipe!

[lunabee34]

It's wonderful to have good neighbors.