RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE (AND SOME COOKIN')

Just before Thanksgiving, I had the pleasure of touring Richmond's Ronald McDonald House.  If you don't know about this incredible charity, read on, but also take a minute to read more detail on their website.

Ronald McDonald House Charities^® of Richmond, VA is a non-profit organization that provides a home away from home for seriously ill children and their families. 

This gorgeous, 9-bedroom house on Monument Avenue serves as a hotel for out-of-town families who have a child receiving medical treatment at a Richmond hospital.  It's hard to think about your child having an extended stay in a hospital.  Can you imagine not being there every step of the way?  And can you imagine how hard it would be to leave the rest of your family behind to take care of your child?  The Ronald McDonald House houses entire families for the duration of their child's stay in the hospital.  Guests are encouraged to make a $15/night donation, but no one is turned away if they're unable to pay.

The House has plenty of common "hanging out" space, and the basement houses a laundry room and a great playroom for kids.  The newly renovated kitchen is functional and stunning!  The space is welcoming, inviting, and absolutely beautiful!  During my tour, I took some pictures of the spectacular Christmas decorations…but then my phone croaked, and the pictures went into picture oblivion:(  In order for you to grasp just how lovely the home is, here are a few pictures from their website.

The Dillard's Cookbook fundraiser is one effort that keeps The Ronald McDonald House going.  2014 marks the 7th year that Dillard's has sold a custom edition of the Southern Living Holiday Cookbook to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities.  I picked up a copy while I was at The House and I tried out a recipe tonight!

There are tons of elegant (yet relatively easy) recipes to try, but I wanted to pick something that would be fun and easy for the kids, so we went with the Double Chocolate Chip Cookies!  They are DELICIOUS!!  I have to admit, I did make a few kid- and skinny jeans-friendly changes, including omitting the bourbon in the chocolate ganache centers, but it still turned out great.

I think I'll go for something slightly more sophisticated next time--the Creamy Egg Strata will be a perfect Christmas morning brunch!

The cookbooks ($10 each) are being sold through Christmas at Dillard's at Short Pump and at Stony Point.  Get one soon so that you have time to plan your holiday meals!  They also will make a great gift.