I have loved Archway Trees and Bells and Stars cookies since I was a child. As an adult I look forward to their arrival in stores every Christmas. As the years have went by they seem to be more difficult to come by. This year was no exception. In fact, this year all looked bleak.
My 6th sense (my Archway cookie sense) had been attuned to their arrival and I have been searching for them in various grocery stores since Thanksgiving. My wife, knowing how much I love them, has been on the hunt as well. She even went so far this week as to call the 1-800 number on Archway’s website to see if they manufactured them this year. They assured her that they had. However, they sell their cookies directly to distributers and so do not know which stores they are in. It looked like poor, underfed Carl V. was going to be without his archway cookies this year.
But then, would it really be Christmas without a Christmas miracle? I went to a video game store relatively close to my work yesterday afternoon. It was in a strip mall that included a Price Chopper grocery store. I had a few last minute items I wanted to pick up so I decided to run in and do my shopping. As I traversed the aisles my Archway sense started tingling. Could it be?!?!? There, sitting all by it’s lonesome, was an Archway display filled with bundles of Christmas joy! I decided to go ahead and get 6 boxes of the things. It was a real act of restraint not to buy the whole display. It was a miracle!
Now keep in mind that this store is not close to my house. As I drove home my other extra sense: hubbie sense, kicked in. I got the strangest feeling that my wife, left to her own devices all day long, may have found some of these cookies herself. I did not want to ruin her surprise so I left my treasures in the truck when I arrived home. Not long after arrival she said that she had a special gift for me to open. I chuckled at my prescience. Sure enough, upon opening the ‘gift’, I was blessed with exactly 6 boxes of Archway cookies. Moments after opening them I revealed to my wife my 6-box purchase earlier in the day. It turns out we both found them at the exact same store! We laughed the laugh of coincidence and I cried tears of chubbiness-inducing-cookie joy! 12 boxes of Archway Tree and Bells and Stars Cookies!!! It is a true Christmas Miracle!!!
(only 11 boxes pictured as I shared one with Jules when she brought Tori home last night)
In the Philadelphia area, it is Tastycake Christmas Sugar cookies which we covet, and I swear they only package 3 boxes during the season!!! Here’s the other new discovery this year–Entemann’s gingerbread: I can only find it at WaWa (local convenience store/gas station!).
Too funny! Guess she knows you pretty well!
After 17 years of marriage she does indeed! 😉
That story is so funny. I am confident this isn’t a coincidence, but rather God’s
wonderful sense of humor providing a great Christmas chuckle.
BTW, I had a number of those cookies for breakfast! They are delicious, especially with
coffee! Thanks. I am tickled to reap some of the benefits of your Christmas miracle.
I stopped what I was doing to check your blog to see if you posted your cookie miracle
testimony!
I partook of some late last night! I have been known to sit and eat a whole box in one sitting but I was a little more under control last night.
This is too funny. Although, I was sure you were going to say that you opened up the boxes before you even got home 🙂 Enjoy – they do look yummy.
If I would have had something to drink with me I might have actually thought of tearing into one of the boxes! But my darling was making a meat loaf for me…a supreme sacrifice since she doesn’t like meat oaf…and I didn’t want to spoil my appetitie.
I have looked in all the stores in Norfolk and no archway cookies this year. I love them but was really looking for some to bring this weekend for you-wouldn’t that have been funny,had I purchased some and it would also have ruined my Motherly excitment when I read your post!
Mary, Dad said you called about how long to bake the meatloaf-I think we both thought you were making that for us when we visit-my gosh Carl’s post is full of surprises for us this morning.
What a wonderful surprise! Those cookies look sooooo yummy too. I think if you send them Priority Mail they’ll get to my house by Christmas! ((snicker))
Now THAT’s a fun Christmas story. 🙂 And very sweet – in more ways than one. Enjoy the cookies – hope you find someone to eat them all. (Dirty work, I know, but I’m sure someone there will be brave and take it on. ;))
Great story! I love your enthusiasm for all of the tasty details of Christmas, Carl.
Great minds 🙂 What a lovely story!
Such a cute story! I have never seen these cookies either in NJ or VA where I’ve lived.
They look really good. I’m going to have to start keeping an eye out!
Sort of like the O’Henry (Gifts of the Magi) story, except with a happy ending, and fllods of “tears of chubbiness-inducing-cookie joy”
You’re a really terrific storyteller Carl! xo, BL
That is great!! Thanks for sharing that. That is one you will remember for years and years to come. I love the fact that you both bought “6” boxes and it was from the “same” store!! Funny how stuff like that happens and then you know that you truly have become one flesh.
That is a great story! I love those cookies too but I can’t ever find them here in Oklahoma. When we lived in South Carolina they were around all the time… but not here. 🙁 I’m glad you found some!
Carl I so feel your anguish in not being able to for so long not finding your cookies for I too have a cookie fetish that is so far this season unfullfilled. The cookie is the Royal Dansk butter cookies with the sugar crystals on top. I knew when I saw them last year at Bomgaars that their lifespan maybe coming to a close. As of yet I have not found them (i have checked Bomgaars). This Christmas, sadly, I fear my hunger for those little sweet buttery yummies will go unquenched. Time is running short, but the optimist in me drives me to continue my search. Merry Christmas fellow hunter of the rare cookie delight.
I know those Steve, and they are good.
I’m sorry Mom and Dad…the meatloaf was really good. There is still some left if you want me to try and control myself and save it!
I used to find them in Tulsa, Katie. Can’t remember what store though.
Yes Karen, we are one flesh and because of these cookies I am going to quickly grow even more flesh!!!
Thanks for the nice words everyone else! I think the only place I’ll be mailing these babies is to my only priority…my belly!!!
That’s a lovely story! They must really be great cookies.
Hey, Carl…I’ve occasionally lurked here after Jules posted on Percolations about your GIFT challenge. Thank you for your inspiring challenge. It has helped me look at our traditions in a different way and helped open my eyes to the joy of new moments. Christmas has already been more special.
I agree with Jules….no coincidence…God was blessing you with a joyfilled moment with Karen (and a load of cookies). You two will be telling this story for years to come!
(and I agree with bloglily—-you’re a great story teller)
Now I gotta find me some of those cookies to see what all the fuss is about!!!
Hehe!! Hey, Cuz, he’s married to Mary!
Thanks for the visit Debbie, glad you’re not a lurker anymore! What is funny is that they are just shortbread cookies but I love them like they are the food of the gods! I’m sure someone else will try them and think…man, he’s crazy. (The fact that I am crazy is beside the point!)
I got a chuckle out of this story. I’ve never tried these cookies…now I may have to look for them (I think I know just the place).
Carl, if these are basically shortbread cookies, you’ll have to give my recipe a try next year if you aren’t as lucky to find the Archways in your local stores. They’re very easy to make, as long as you have a good cookie gun/press. You can always substitute the candied cherries for red or green sprinkles.
Merry Christmas!
For years I’ve looked forward to, and bought, Archway Cookies during the holiday season. In August 2005 I evacuated Slidell, LA when Katrina flooded my home. I was away from home for 299 days, so I wasn’t here for Christmas (and my Archway cookies) in 2005. I’m back this year, but was dismayed when my grocer said we can no longer get Archway Cookies in Slidell. Katrina changed life for a lot of us. I’ll never see some of my friends again. Some died, some moved. Who’d have thought I’d lose my Archway Cookies, too. :o( Like mac & cheese, they’re a comfort food.
I’m so sorry for your losses Vicki! I hope that next year finds a change in, at the very least, your Archway cookie availability!
Thanks Carl V. Things are looking up. Although it’s not Archway cookies, a friend is coming over this afternoon and she’s bringing a king cake. My first of the Carnival season! Life goes on.
Hi Carl!
Just thought you’d like to know that your beloved Archway Christmas Cookies will be hitting the grocery stores here in North East PA over the next 2 weeks. You should be able to find them in either the cookie isle or in the holiday section of the stores by November 1st, 2007. I know this for a fact since my husband is an Archway distributor and has them arriving on 10/23/07. So rest assured, at least us Pennsylvanians here in the NE will be able to enjoy this seasonal treat by the first of November!
( Perhaps this tip will make your wife’s search for the elusive treat a bit easier this year.)
Sweet! I am looking forward to diving into them early this year! 🙂
Hi Carl: If I can’t find any archway bells and stars in calif, and you do find them where you live, any chance you could pick me up 2 or 3 and mail them to me. I’ll reimburse you the cost. My email is ksagg@usa.net.
Kevin 🙂
Hi,
I am looking for Bells and Stars in the Michigan (Detroit) Area. Any information you could provide?
Well, I guess with arch way going out of business we won’t be seeing our famous bells and stars cookies any more. That was sad news for me when I heard about it. 🙁
No way….I hadn’t heard that. I am sooo disappointed!!!
Hi Carl:
I have looked around hoping to find some bells and stars and sadly I have found nothing. It just doesn’t feel like the holiday season with out them stacked up on display in our local stores. 🙁
I miss these cookies. I havent had then in forever and just realized they no longer sell them. Does anyone know the recipe?
I wish they did! I was so sad that the company went out of business this year. Oddly enough, my mother found a small store that still had a few packages so I got to have some for Christmas. They were delicious!!!
Great News: Archway is back in business! I’m looking forward to Christmas of 2009 already for our Bells and Stars
Kevin: You are the angel of good news!!! Woo-hoo!!! After that small taste I had of them this Christmas I am ready to gorge myself on them next Christmas.
Just read that Lance cookies, that bought archway last January, is making the holiday cookies for this season. And among them: bells and stars! Yahoo!
I cannot wait!!! 🙂