"COOKIE GALS" PUBLISH "SWEET TRADITIONS"

Hamtramck, Michigan - Celebrating a decade of baking cookies for their annual Christmas Cookie Exchange, twelve local girlfriends from Hamtramck, Michigan, including longtime Polish National Alliance Lodge 1758 member Chris Nosis, have published "Sweet Traditions - Cookie Exchange Recipies, Menus and Ideas." Like a cookie jar, this attractive 146 page hard cover cookbook is filled with ten years of mouth-watering cookie recipies, complete menu selections, clever ideas for cookie packaging and suggestions for hosting a cookie exchange. This user-friendly cookbook, with over 200 recipes, explains how to host the best cookie exchange party ever!

According to Nosis, while fun and camaraderie were expected of their long-lasting friendships none of the women anticipated going into business together, but with the quick success of "Sweet Traditions", nine of the women have become official business partners. Now, these moms happily boast that they are known officially as Traditions By The Dozen, LLC.  The group also includes two other PNA Members, Alice Kopecky and Joan Bittner.

In its first six months, Sweet Traditions is in its third printing with a fourth printing anticipated. Traditions is also excited to add other products to its web site, including aprons with the imprint: "Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much, Bake Cookies!"

The ladies who also refer to themselves as "The Cookie Connection" bring different skills to the business table and each contribution is invaluable, according to Nosis. Becoming cookbook writers has shown new sides to old friends. The friends-turned-business partners are of the official spokespersons for the book. Promoting "Sweet Traditions" and its web site www.TradionsByTheDozen.com the moms attend events throughout the metro Detroit area and have appeared on local television shows and at book signings, with their homemade cookies in hand for potential customers. The moms also display their unique and simple packaging ideas, many of which are described in their cookbooks.

"As you will see when you travel through this cookbook, we have provided a treasury of culinary delights," Nosis said. "We know you will enjoy the recipes and all of the cookie exchange hints. This cookbook is the celebration of our ten years of baking."

The cookbook also contains twelve dinner ideas, many served at the cookie exchanges, like an Italian feast, a girls' night out, and, of course, an authentic Polish Dinner, Nosis added.

Nosis further explained that the women are longtime friends brought together in the 1980's by their Polish heritage, their connection to the city of Hamtramck, Michigan (once the largest enclave of Polish residents west of Warsaw) and in many cases by their children who attended the same elementary school. "Our children have grown, some are married, some have children of their own, and some have moved on to pursue careers. But not us," Nosis explained. "We have stuck together like peanut butter on the roofs of our mouths." Nosis also added that her adult children, George, Elita, and Ryan, as well as her husband George, are also PNA Members.

About Sweet Traditions, Nosis concluded, "We sincerely hope our readers enjoy the recipes in this cookbook as much as we do. As the Polish would say, "Smacznego."

The complete list of the Traditions By The Dozen women: Chris Nosis, Hamtramck, Michigan, Alice Kopecky, Hamtramck, Michigan, Joan Bittner, Hamtramck, Michigan, Leslie Cahill, Milford Michigan and Melbourne Australia, Lorraine Owczarek, Chesterfield, Michigan, Mary Wood, Sterling Heights, Michigan, Cathy Tomaszewski, Hamtramck, Michigan, Fran Owczarek, Warren, Michigan and Gwen Mack, Sterling Heights, Michigan.

For further information or to order copies of Sweet Traditions, please email Chris or George Nosis: georgenosis@kw.com or visit our website at www.TraditionsByTheDozen.com This hardcover cookbook sells for $12.95 plus applicable tax and shipping and handling.

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