I've had one flight attendant who did that, and it's annoying. It's pretty lazy too, and wasn't such a big deal back when the rolls were all the same on non-transcon domestic flights. But now that even the single-choice salad only flights (like IAH-ATL) get a bread basket with a nice variety of rolls, they should be served from the basket.

I've had the paper salt and pepper packets a couple of times, but it's usually the shakers. That doesn't really bother me much, although the shakers are a nice touch. The lack of cookies might have been a catering mistake. I've been on flights that were supposed to have them where catering forgot to load them before.

As for the Russell Stover almond delight candy, it's back at the moment. However, it has been alternating with the Pepperidge Farm cookies, so I doubt it's back as an exclusive dessert for lunch/snack flights.